Cubs see Alex Bregman being himself, rather than his ample playoff experience, as difference-maker in October

Alex Bregman has played in a lot of playoff games.

Like, a lot.

In fact, he’s ninth all-time, having appeared in 102 of them.

The two-time World Series champion obviously would like to add a third ring to his fingers this season, his first since signing a five-year, $175 million free-agent deal with the Cubs last offseason.

He didn’t get that contract because of his postseason experience but because he’s a really good baseball player regardless of the month, and he has shown it since the All-Star break. He brought a 1.029 OPS in his previous 55 games into Monday, while playing Gold Glove-type defense at third base.

The Cubs don’t expect Bregman to start doing anything differently once the calendar flips to October. And that’s exactly what they’ll need to keep their best-in-baseball lineup humming and give themselves a chance at a deep postseason run.

‘‘Alex is going to keep being Alex and just be relentless and try to beat you,’’ manager Craig Counsell said Monday. ‘‘He’s just going to keep doing it, no matter what’s going on. That’s what he’s great at. That just leads to success. It just does.

‘‘Sometimes we make a lot of experience at this time of year. And it’s important, but it’s not mandatory. I can list off tons of examples of guys who have had unbelievable postseasons without experience.

‘‘But Alex is just who he is. ‘I’m going to beat you.’ That’s just who he is. That’s how he wakes up. If he sleeps, that’s how he goes to sleep. I’m not sure that he sleeps. But that’s who he is.’’

Of course, taking the eighth-most at-bats, scoring the sixth-most runs and hitting the seventh-most home runs in postseason history has to be good for something, right?

Even if it just means that you’ve been a good player on a successful team, Bregman — lauded all season for aiding teammates with off-field conversations — figures to be able to help his team when the lights get their brightest.

‘‘Alex has performed on the biggest stage over his career, time and time again. His experience there benefits all of us,’’ left-hander Matthew Boyd said. ‘‘And he’s just an overall great hitter, and he continues to get better. It’s a guy you’re super-grateful to have on your team. The way he can attack and prepare just makes us all better.’’

Lefty legends

Pete Crow-Armstrong was at it again in the Cubs’ 7-3 victory against the Braves. The National League MVP favorite had four hits, including his 42nd homer of the season, which matched franchise legend Billy Williams for the most by a left-handed hitter in club history.

‘‘I’ve gotten to know him decently well,’’ Crow-Armstrong said. ‘‘I think he’d want me to surpass him and his numbers. If that homer’s going to mean anything, I’m glad I could hit that one for Billy.

‘‘That was 42 for Billy.’’

Crow-Armstrong drove in four runs in the victory and now has 102 RBI.

He also stole his 37th base of the season, bringing him three swipes away from becoming the seventh player in major-league history to post a 40-40 season.

Prime Peterson

Left-hander David Peterson turned in one of his finest outings as a member of the Cubs, shutting out the Braves for six innings and finishing with only one run and three hits allowed against one of the most powerful lineups in baseball.

‘‘This is an excellent offensive team,’’ Counsell said of the Braves. ‘‘They’re going to make it hard on you. Peterson kind of made it look easy for six innings.’’