CHICAGO — Entering the All-Star break tied for the second-most RBIs (77), the fourth-most home runs (25) and the 11th-highest wRC+ in the National League, Seiya Suzuki had a strong All-Star case.
However, he ultimately wasn’t selected for his first Midsummer Classic. But no matter — Suzuki picked up right where he left off to start the second half Friday afternoon.
With Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker reaching base ahead of him in the bottom of the first, Suzuki attacked the first pitch he saw from Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito. Suzuki turned on the 93.5 mph four-seamer above the zone, sending it over the left-center wall for a three-run blast. That proved to be enough scoring for the Cubs, as Colin Rea and five Chicago relievers held Boston to just a third-inning run en route to a 4-1 win at Wrigley Field.
The victory ensured the 58-39 Cubs would hold sole possession of first place in the NL Central for at least one more game. They were already considered guaranteed buyers — an idea president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer hasn’t shied away from — but each win means more keeping some room between themselves and the Brewers (who sat 1 1/2 games back at the end of Friday’s win).
With the Trade Deadline less than two weeks away, Chicago is in a bit of a holding pattern until the market develops and the group of sellers becomes more clear. In the meantime, the Cubs are focused on stacking post-break wins and Suzuki’s blast got them started on the right foot.
