Chicago Cubs: A chat with Eduardo Perez ahead of Sunday Night Baseball

Chicago Cubs: Thoughts on a very good Cubs team

As the Cubs look to pick up momentum in the season’s final two months, they’ll continue to lean heavily on All-Star infielder Javier Baez. The Puerto Rican slugger trails only J.D. Martinez of the Boston Red Sox with his 89 RBI and leads the NL with 245 total bases.

Granted, his offensive performance this year has been nothing short of astounding. But there’s so much more that makes him invaluable to this Cubs team.

"“Forget about the most valuable player in the league,” Perez said. “He’s been their most valuable asset because he not only beats you offensively, but he beats you on the bases, he beats you with his glove – and at multiple positions.”"

As Chicago gets their big pieces back, they stand a fair chance at running off a third consecutive National League Central crown. But, at least for now, it comes down to taking care of business one day at a time.

And, at least for the part of Eduardo Perez, he believes the Cubs can win without the bat of Kris Bryant. Will Yu Darvish decide Chicago’s postseason fate? The pieces are there to make another run. But if the Cubs slip up, there are plenty of teams taking aim at the crosshairs on their backs.