Bellinger Gives Glimpse Of Overall Talent In Cubs Series Against Dodgers
The Chicago Cubs took a chance on Cody Bellinger with a one-year, $17.5 million.
Truthfully, it really wasn’t much of a risk.
It's true, the former 2019 National League Most Valuable Player had struggled with injuries. However, if the Cubs can eventually get the version of Bellinger that’s anywhere close to ’19, they will have a solid player.
Bellinger just completed a three-game series against his former team and received both cheers and boos. He was given a standing ovation when he came to the plate at first and then was booed after making a stellar catch.
Dodgers fans were reminded of why Bellinger has been so successful.
He went 3-for-11 and crushed a home run off Julio Urias.
It was the first home run by a left-hander off the Dodgers left-hander since July 16, 2022.
"It sure felt like it," Bellinger said of it being his hardest-hit ball in three years. "I mean, I didn't feel it, you know what I mean? So, it felt really good. I just tried to put my best swing on it."
Bellinger has been far from perfect so far with a .245 average with three home runs and 10 RBI.
Bellinger hit 111 home runs and drove in 288 runs in his first three seasons with the Dodgers.
Over his last three seasons with the Dodgers, Bellinger hit 41 homers and added 134 RBI though the numbers are skewed a bit with the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Bellinger looks to be healthy after suffering a right shoulder injury in November of ‘20 and a broken left leg in the opening week of the ’21 season.
“I think when you hit rock bottom, there’s a lot of opportunity for openness and change,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To his credit, he lowered his hands, understood that he needed to hit the ball more square, more flat, get the loop out of his swing.”
Bellinger will always have fond memories of playing for the Dodgers. Now that he’s with the Cubs, he’s all in with his new club.
“At one point for sure,” Bellinger said when asked if he believed that he would always remain with the Dodgers, “But life is not always planned.”
The Cubs are trending upward and could very well be a threat in the postseason. Especially if Bellinger continues to produce.
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