One Dansby Swanson move may have changed everything for Cubs and Alex Bregman

If the Chicago Cubs want to avoid the offense cratering again like it did last May and into June, Alex Bregman returning to form was going to be an important development. Over the past four months, Bregman has had one-offs that appeared to be a sign of him turning the corner, but the resurgence may finally be here in full effect.

After collecting four hits, including two doubles and a home run, in the Cubs' victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, Bregman followed up the performance with a three-hit effort in the win on Tuesday night.

Bregman's slash line for the month of July is now .253/.323/.482 with a wRC+ of 120. The slug has returned to Bregman's profile, considering he enters Wednesday with 11 extra-base hits this month.

Leave it to Dansby Swanson to fix Alex Bregman

There's been many think pieces since the start of the season on the struggles Bregman has had. The Cubs are shying away from declaring his struggles, but there's been a new wrinkle to his recent success. Starting this past Monday, Bregman was using one of Dansby Swanson's bats.

Swanson offered that up as a suggestion, in part because his bat is heavier than the ones Bregman has used previously season. In past weeks, Bregman has indicated that he was close to fixing the hitches in his swing that led to the prolonged slump, and while it may seem like just a bat, there's a method to the madness.

“More behind me, actually, which is a weird thought, not being super direct and short to the ball,” Bregman told reporters. “It’s kind of getting on plane deeper. Hopefully, the heavy bat and also my hands being further back kind of holds me back more, because I’ve been kind of flying forward and cutting the corner and cutting everything. That’s why I’m popping up a lot and missing pitches in the middle.

After their victory on Tuesday, the Cubs are now 15 games above .500, reaching their previous high-point this season. Couple that with Bregman breaking out of his slump less than a week before the trade deadline, the front office should be positioned to make a move of consequence by next Monday.

With an offense that now has the version of Bregman the Cubs have always been expecting, the next move is for there to be significant upgrades made to the pitching staff.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow