WASHINGTON — The way Alex Bregman’s season has gone, each productive day at the plate is typically, cautiously described as “a step in the right direction.”
But the steps are adding up, and Bregman, the third baseman who inked a $175 million contract last offseason, is getting significantly closer to where he expects himself to be.
Bregman hit a trio of home runs in the Cubs’ 12-6 win over the Nationals on Wednesday night, with four homers and seven RBIs in the first two games of the three-game set in the nation’s capital.
It was a monster night and the latest big night for Bregman, who since the All-Star break has looked much more like the two-time World Series champion the Cubs thought they were getting.
In his last 26 games — the second half of the season to date, plus the final two games before the break — Bregman has a .306 batting average, nine home runs, nine doubles and 26 RBIs to go along with a .397 on-base percentage and a 1.054 OPS.
How does the third baseman feel about his last month’s worth of offensive output?
“Better, a step in the right direction,” Bregman said after Tuesday’s win.
While frustrated fans have waited for Bregman’s production to come around, he — along with fellow World Series winner Dansby Swanson, the shortstop who also homered in Wednesday’s win — has been critical for his teammates behind the scenes, bringing his championship experience to a group looking to make a deep October run.
“Just being able to talk to guys like Bregman and Dansby, who have won World Series,” lefty reliever Ryan Rolison said Wednesday, “it’s super special and fun every day to come to work.
“They lead by action. You can see the way they navigate through the ups and downs. Both of them have had ups and downs this year, and there’s no panic. The numbers at the end of the year are going to be where they are [supposed to be].
“Those guys are established big league players, and being able to see their work ethic day in and day out and the mindset they bring every single day? You have a bad day at the field, flush it, it’s a new day the next day.”
Maton’s knee
Righty reliever Phil Maton has been on the injured list since July 20, dealing with a knee injury that’s landed him there three times this season.
Maton was signed to be a key piece in the bullpen after posting a 2.79 ERA last season. In 31 appearances this year, he has struggled, with a 6.18 ERA.
The next couple weeks will be critical in determining if Maton will pitch again this season.
“Phil’s basically trying to see where the knee gets him through about two more weeks,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We’re trying to figure out, ‘Where are you at with your knee?’ And then we’ve got to make a decision as to, ‘Can you get back, or does this make sense to even try?’
“If he can pitch, he’s going to pitch. But are we putting off something that’s going to keep happening? That’s what we have to make a final decision on and Phil has to make a decision on shortly.”
Local product
The Cubs squared off against Nationals lefty Jackson Kent on Wednesday, a Chicagoland native and Lake Park High School alum making his major league debut.
He held his hometown team scoreless and to just one hit through four innings before the Cubs’ bats awoke in the fifth. Kent finished with six strikeouts.
