Chicago Cubs gamers and coaches gathered alongside the foul line close to third base, clapping in unison whereas “Go Cubs Go” blared throughout Wrigley Field for the ultimate time this 12 months.
The celebration after an 8-1 win Sunday towards the Cincinnati Reds continued the crew’s postgame custom all through the season, a sing-along to the track synonymous with dwelling victories. Willson Contreras lingered afterward, taking within the scene as he slowly made his approach behind dwelling plate, the place he was greeted by household.
Sunday’s sport seemingly was Contreras’ ultimate dwelling sport at Wrigley. Although he proclaimed in the beginning of the homestand he would contemplate accepting a qualifying provide from the Cubs, the anticipated end result is the perimeters parting methods when Contreras explores free company within the offseason. That’s what fueled him to return to the lineup from a left ankle sprain for the ultimate six dwelling video games.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” Contreras mentioned Sunday. “I don’t know if that is going to be my final sport with the Cubs or not. … Because I play for among the finest fan bases in baseball they usually make this place particular — I’ve been right here a very long time and I simply needed to take my second on the market. I respect the place I’ve performed for the final six years.
“Since the moment that I got here, I knew this could have been my home for my entire career. But I got to the moment in my career that is like a dream come true. I’ve earned my spot in free agency and I’m looking forward to it.”
Manager David Ross eliminated Contreras for a pinch runner after he walked within the backside of the eighth, his solely time on base Sunday. As Contreras jogged again to the dugout, followers gave him a standing ovation, his third of the sport. Ross greeted Contreras within the dugout with a hug.
“He’s been a part of so much winning here and from early on and being a World Series starting catcher (in) Game 7, I mean just having that on your resume, right there’s pretty special,” Ross mentioned. “And then going by means of all that’s gone on right here, it was good for him to get some love.
“He’s gotten a lot of moments of love this year. It looked like he was taking those in. Those are special, special things that you don’t ever forget as a player when you get to get to do that.”
The Cubs went 6-0 on the homestand, a part of a season-high seven-game successful streak that ensures they’ll keep away from a 90-loss season with three video games left in Cincinnati.
The Cubs (73-86) completed the house schedule with a paid attendance whole of two,616,780 at Wrigley Field. That’s their lowest dwelling whole since 1997, excluding the pandemic-affected 2020 and ‘21 seasons that featured both empty or limited-capacity ballparks.
The Cubs seemingly will end between seventh and tenth within the majors in dwelling attendance.
Their feel-good vibes after Sunday’s victory prolong solely thus far. This is a roster that wants massive offseason upgrades through a free-agent class with elite expertise. To the credit score of Ross and the teaching employees, the Cubs have continued to play laborious regardless of their document. But effort goes solely thus far.
Adding a prime beginning pitcher to pair with right-hander Marcus Stroman must be a part of the plan. Stroman can be an vital piece of the rotation as he appears to be like to hold over a powerful second-half efficiency. His six shutout innings Sunday closed out his first season in Chicago.
The 31-year-old completed with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.147 WHIP in 138⅔ innings over 25 begins. Stroman overcome a sluggish begin, getting roughed up in early April and in an terrible June 3 outing earlier than happening the injured listing with proper shoulder irritation.
He acquired on a roll as soon as he returned in early July, posting a 2.56 ERA over his ultimate 16 begins.
“A lot of people can kind of cash it in mentally, physically, emotionally,” Stroman mentioned. “And I had near a 6.00 ERA after my first few begins, so it’s only a product of all of the work that goes into it.
“I’m someone who never gives up regardless of if I’ve had 10 bad starts or 10 great ones. I’m truly adapting and changing and working in between each and every start. I can’t wait until next year.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com