The Los Angeles Dodgers are probably glad the series against the Chicago Cubs is over, but for Pete Crow-Armstrong, it was an opportunity to make a statement. The Cubs center fielder and Los Angeles native went 3-for-4 with a home run, two stolen bases, and a career high 4 RBIs in the 7-6 win.
This wasn’t just any game for Crow-Armstrong – it was against the team he grew up cheering for. And if his last few games are any indication, he loves facing them.
“Absolutely,” Crow-Armstrong said when asked if his success meant more. “They’re the best, and I think we’ve enjoyed being able to show we’re right there with them. Yeah, it’s always a little extra special for me getting to do it against the team I grew up going to see.”
A Game-Changing Performance
Crow-Armstrong didn’t waste any time making a statement. After the Cubs fell behind 2-0 early, he erased the deficit with a three-run homer to right-center in the 4th. An inning later, he added a run scoring single that would be the last run of the night for the Cubs.
He wasn’t done yet. The 23 year old also stole two bases, showing off the speed and athleticism that make him one of the most fun players in baseball.
Overall, Crow-Armstrong has been a pain in the Dodgers’ side all season. In 7 games against L.A., he’s hit .357 with 4 HR and 9 RBI. For context the Cubs went 4-3 in those games, including tonight.
A Breakout Season Continues
Crow-Armstrong’s numbers against the Dodgers are part of a bigger picture. Over his last 10 games, dating back to the Cubs’ trip to LA, he’s hitting .400 with 5 HR. The Cubs are now averaging 6.3 runs per game, an MLB best.
But this didn’t happen overnight. Crow-Armstrong said he had to adjust mentally, learn to handle failure, and work on his timing at the plate.
“I got on time with my swing,” he said. “And I’ve been working on dealing with failure better. If it comes out in a win, it’s very satisfying. I feel very good.”
His manager, Craig Counsell, couldn’t agree more.
“He made his presence felt big time for sure,” Counsell said after the game. “That was a good game for him.”
Defensive Prowess and Team Chemistry
While his bat has gotten all the headlines, Crow-Armstrong’s defense is his bread and butter. Starter Matthew Boyd didn’t hesitate when asked to describe the young outfielder.
“Defensively, I’d say he’s the best,” Boyd said. “And what he’s doing at the plate is no surprise.”
According to ESPN Research, Crow-Armstrong is the fastest player in Cubs history to reach five home runs and 10 stolen bases, doing it in 26 games. That combo of power, speed, and defense has the Cubs fans loving him and chanting his name every time he steps up to the plate.
“I’ve tried to tune that out,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I was thinking about it yesterday, and I was like, I gotta be 0-for-20 when they’ve chanted my name. But they continue to chant and they get behind every one of us. It’s the coolest thing.”
Dodgers Manager Tips Hat to Rising Star
Even manager Dave Roberts had to give Crow-Armstrong a nod, but he did so with a wink.
“He needs to send me a bottle of wine or some golf balls with all the success he’s had,” he said before the game.
Roberts and Crow-Armstrong have a special bond through Roberts’ son Cole, who played against the Cubs’ star growing up. They chatted before the series started, and the respect is mutual between the players and the other dugout.