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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Reflects on Breakout 2025 MLB Season
Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Reflects on Breakout 2025 MLB Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is a rising superstar in the MLB. While Cubs fans may have seen his rise coming, he's taken the rest of the league by storm in 2025. Advertisement Through 73 games in 2025, Crow-Armstrong is hitting .270 with an .867 OPS. The Cubs' outfielder has 20 home runs, 60 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and leads the National League with a 4.5 WAR. Crow-Armstrong flashed his glove with his outstanding defensive play in 2024, but now has it going in the batter's box in what has been an absolute breakout 2025 season. The Cubs' star will likely be headed to his first All-Star game in July as he currently leads the NL outfield voting by over 400,000 votes. Crow-Armstrong's outstanding season also has him in the MVP conversation as we approach the mid-way point of the season. Advertisement This morning, Crow-Armstrong joined David Haugh on 670 The Score to discuss his success in 2025. "Just having a year of experience, a year and some change I guess, that's huge. I think just being able to know what I'm doing that much better is big," Crow-Armstrong said during an appearance on 670 The Score on Friday. "I'm just growing up a little bit and I'm really relying on a lot of good people around me to kind of steer me in the right direction, and that's what's worked." Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) hits a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at Wrigley Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Crow-Armstrong made his major league debut in 2023, but played in just 13 games. In 2024, the Cubs' young prospect qualified for his rookie season, playing in 123 games. Advertisement While Crow-Armstrong showed glimpses of his potential through his speed and athleticism, the rookie struggled in the batter's box, hitting just .237 with an OPS plus of 89. "I think there's a few things physically that I could probably attribute to the certain success that we actually see with the bat, but like I just mentioned a second ago," Crow-Armstrong. "I think it's more so the work behind the scenes and the work on myself that is playing the biggest part in any sort of success that we're seeing here." Crow-Armstrong's work and reliance on the good people around him have brought out his full potential in 2025, and have the Cubs in a position to make a deep playoff run if his stellar play continues. Advertisement Related: Cubs Share Heartwarming Sammy Sosa News Ahead of Mariners Series This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pete Crow-Armstrong Receives New Nickname From Cubs Teammate
Pete Crow-Armstrong Receives New Nickname From Cubs Teammate originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs have had a successful season thus far, currently sitting with a 45-28 record on a three-game win streak that has propelled them to the top of the NL Central standings, where they now hold a commanding 6.5-game lead over both the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers. Advertisement This impressive performance is largely built around a potent offensive attack that has the Cubs ranked second in runs per game at 5.3 and second in hits per game at 8.8, while their overall offensive efficiency is further highlighted by a team-wide OPS (.324) and slugging percentage (.436), both good enough for fourth overall in MLB. Leading the charge on offense is outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4)Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Crow-Armstrong has been a key contributor for the team with a batting average of .270, an OPS of .857, 19 home runs, and 58 RBIs in 72 games entering Thursday. His play this season has transformed the Cubs from hovering a few games over .500 to becoming a true contender, and he's emerged as an MVP candidate in the process. Advertisement After a Crow-Armstrong homer on Thursday, Cubs pitcher Justin Steele took to X and dropped a one-word statement on his teammate's breakout season. "MVPCA," the Cubs pitcher nicknamed his teammate. Steele himself is facing a significant setback, as he has suffered a UCL injury that will force him to miss the remainder of the season and possibly the start of next year. In 2023, the 29-year-old left-hander had a 3.06 ERA and a record of 16-5, that helped him finish fifth in Cy Young Award voting and earn an All-Star nod. Last season, Steele posted a nearly identical 3.07 ERA over 24 games making his absence a notable blow to the Cubs' pitching rotation. Advertisement Related: Corbin Carroll Makes Request to Diamondbacks Before Blue Jays Game Related: Giants Turn Heads With Justin Verlander Announcement on Wednesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Cubs notes: Pete Crow-Armstrong fastest in team history to reach 20-20 mark
CHICAGO — Only the rain can keep Pete Crow-Armstrong from making headlines. After a brilliant display of both defense and power from Crow-Armstrong on Tuesday night, Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers was washed out. But on a beautiful Thursday at Wrigley Field in front of 41,078 fans, Crow-Armstrong was at it again. The dynamic center fielder slugged his 20th homer of the season to become the fastest Cubs player to reach the 20-homer, 20-stolen base mark in team history. 'It feels like we're talking about him every day, which is incredible,' starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said after the Cubs' 8-7 loss. 'He's doing something fun out there on the field every day. Not super surprised. He's fun to watch, he's super talented and he works hard.' SCHEDULED PCA TWEET. — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 19, 2025 It took Crow-Armstrong just 73 games to get to 20-20, topping Sammy Sosa, who needed 96 games to get there in 1994. Only three other big-leaguers have reached the mark quicker than Crow-Armstrong: Eric Davis in 46 games (1987), Jose Canseco needed 68 (1998), and four years ago, Fernando Tatis Jr. got there in 71 games. Advertisement 'It's really cool to see him step into that role and become a star,' Taillon said. 'He's always had that air about him. But to watch him put in the work, make some adjustments — he's hit some pretty low lows in the big leagues. To be able to punch back and be who he is today is a testament to Pete.' Crow-Armstrong kept it simple, saying, 'It's an honor,' as he spoke to the media after the game for what's becoming a regular postgame session. He has a 140 wRC+ (22nd in baseball) and a 4.1 WAR, tops in the National League. He's not just an MVP candidate, but one of the most exciting talents in today's game as he emerges as one of the faces of baseball. As good as he's been, his manager has a simple message: Don't stop. 'Let's keep it going,' Craig Counsell said. 'He's having a great season. Those are nice round numbers, but let's make 'em crooked again.' Oh, to be young and good at baseball. — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 19, 2025 Taillon exited after just four innings and 68 pitches Thursday after giving up five runs, including two homers. That put him at 18 homers allowed on the season, tied for the second most in baseball. 'It's not great,' Taillon said. 'I'm a guy who gives up a lot of fly balls. I've given up homers my entire career. That said, you prefer they be solo homers.' Thirteen of Taillon's homers allowed have been of the solo variety this season. However, on Thursday, he walked Isaac Collins after getting ahead 0-2 and then gave up a long ball to Caleb Durbin on a cutter over the heart of the plate. 'It's one of those things that when I'm scouting teams, I need to probably be even more aware of where their damage is,' Taillon said. 'I like pitching to my strengths, I like doing my thing. But now it's to a point where it's like, 'Where are guys hitting homers? Where are they doing damage? Where should I avoid?' Being up there in the top couple in homers is not something you want to be known for.' Advertisement Taillon is a student of the game and never one to shy away from putting in the work. He'll surely put in the time to see if he can make the needed adjustments. One of his primary areas of concern is his sweeper, which hasn't been as effective this season compared to last year. 'I gave up a homer today to Rhys Hoskins on a slider,' Taillon said. 'That was a pitch for me that was so good last year, and this year I don't have the same feel for it. I'd really like to right the ship there.' Last season, batters hit .181 with a .293 slugging percentage and just three homers off his sweeper. This season, entering play Thursday, Taillon was giving up a .259 batting average with a .552 slugging percentage on the offering. That was before allowing the homer to Hoskins, the fifth time he's allowed a round-tripper on the sweeper. With Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar all dominating out of the bullpen, Chris Flexen has almost gone overlooked. Well, as overlooked as one can be with a 0.00 ERA. For pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched, Flexen leads baseball with his pristine ERA. Pomeranz, who threw another shutout frame, also boasts a 0.00 ERA, but he's 2/3 of an inning shy of the 20 mark. With the Cubs trailing 8-3 after five innings, Flexen came in and tossed three shutout frames. That ties his longest outing of the season, which also came against the Brewers in his first outing with the Cubs on May 2. Flexen not only gave the Cubs a chance for a comeback Thursday, but he also made sure Counsell didn't have to go to too many other relievers. 'He's pitching really, really well,' Counsell said. 'Kind of anticipated him pitching in the longer situations more. He hasn't done it in a while, so to come out and be able to give us three innings, it's going to help us this weekend. Absolutely. An excellent job by Chris.' Advertisement By only using three relievers after getting just four innings from their starter, Flexen's outing is huge for the Cubs. Especially after Wednesday's rainout, the reliever arms should be fresh for a weekend set against the Mariners. At some point, both Flexen and Pomeranz will give up runs. But what they've done this season is nothing short of masterful. It's a testament to the Cubs' pitching infrastructure, their ability to acquire and maximize undervalued pitching, and the pitchers, who have put in the work.
Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Brewers hang on for 8-7 win over Cubs
June 19 - Rhys Hoskins, Caleb Durbin and Isaac Collins homered and the Milwaukee Brewers held on for an 8-7 win over the host Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The Brewers earned a split in the two-game series. Three games were originally scheduled, but Wednesday's middle game was rained out and postponed till August. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ hit home runs for the Cubs, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Crow-Armstrong became the first player in franchise history to reach 20 homers and 20 steals before the All-Star Break. Brewers starter Freddy Peralta (7-4) allowed three runs and two hits in five innings, walking two and striking out six. Trevor Megill pitched the ninth for his 16th save. Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (7-4) gave up five runs on eight hits in four innings with a walk and two strikeouts. Chicago trailed 8-3 through six innings but pulled to within one run. First, Happ's two-run blast in the seventh sliced Milwaukee's advantage in half. His eighth home run, which went over the center field wall, came on a 2-1 sinker from reliever Aaron Ashby. The Cubs drew within 8-7 on Carson Kelly's bases-loaded fielder's choice grounder and Nico Hoerner's infield single in the eighth, but Megill coaxed a game-ending double play in the ninth. Collins' three-run homer in the fifth, into the left field stands, off reliever Genesis Cabrera with two outs increased the Brewers' lead to 8-3. Collins' fourth home run came on a 1-1 curve. Swanson's two-out solo shot in the fourth pulled Chicago to within 5-3. He drove a 3-1 fastball over the left field fence an estimated 406 feet for his 14th home run. William Contreras' run-scoring single in the third increased the Milwaukee's lead to 5-2. The Brewers scored three runs on two homers in the top of the second. Hoskins led off with his 11th home run down the left field line that tied the game at 2. Durbin's two-run blast, into the left-center-field stands with one out, made it 4-2. It was Durbin's third homer. Crow-Armstrong's two-run homer in the bottom of the first put the Cubs up 2-1. He drilled Peralta's 1-2 fastball into the right field stands. Christian Yelich's RBI single gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the first. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fan climbs netting at Wrigley Field to retrieve Sal Frelick's bat
Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong gestures after hitting a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks) CHICAGO (AP) — From villain, to superhero. A fan was removed by security before returning to cheers on Thursday after he climbed Wrigley Field's protective netting near first base to retrieve a bat that slipped through Sal Frelick's grasp and became lodged there. Advertisement The Milwaukee outfielder's bat got stuck about 10 feet up after a swinging strike in the top of the sixth. Giving it his best Spider-Man effort, the fan clambered up the screen and pulled the bat into the seating area before being removed by guards. He returned minutes later to cheers from the crowd of 41,078, the Cubs largest this season. ___ AP MLB:
