Alex Bregman finally is getting comfortable with the Chicago Cubs.
Kevin Gausman appears to be feeling that way, too, in much shorter order.
Both will try to help the Cubs complete a three-game sweep on the road against the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon.
Gausman is scheduled to make his second start on the mound for Chicago since the veteran right-hander was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 2 in exchange for minor-league prospects Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene.
Gausman (6-10, 4.29 ERA) won his team debut against the Kansas City Royals last Friday, limiting them to two runs and four hits over seven innings in a 6-4 win.
“That’s one of the reasons you trade for somebody like this,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after the win. “This is a guy that we can’t throw something at him that he hasn’t seen. Guys like that are prepared for anything.”
In a 12-6 win against the Nationals on Wednesday night, Bregman clubbed three home runs and drove in seven, both career highs, to help the Cubs climb 21 games over .500 for the first time this season and capture their ninth straight road series win.
After getting off to a slow first half in his first season in Chicago, Bregman is hitting .388 in his past 16 games with eight doubles and six home runs. He’s raised his batting average from .234 to .256 and his OPS from .682 to .758 in that span.
“Just trying to keep my front shoulder and front hip facing the same direction and not get all twisted,” Bregman said of an adjustment he’s made at the plate during his hot streak. “It’s felt better, and just continue to work at it and keep plugging along.”
Underscoring the long connection between the two, Gausman hosted Bregman on his recruiting trip to LSU in the spring of 2012 and surrendered Bregman’s second MLB homer four years later.
Gausman has fared better against the Nationals in his career, going 8-3 in 13 appearances, including 12 starts, with a 4.43 ERA.
“Gaus has been in every situation, and he’s been in big situations, and he’s been traded, and he’s been on the next team,” Counsell said. “He knows how he has to react to that to be an effective pitcher.”
Right-hander Cade Cavalli is scheduled to start on Friday for the Nationals.
Cavalli (9-5, 3.57) also is coming off a win in his most recent outing. He held the Cincinnati Reds to three runs, all on solo homers, in six innings of a 5-3 victory last Friday.
“I thought I handled the lineup well and the guys behind me played terrific ball,” Cavalli said. “Our offense did what it normally does, and the defense was incredible.”
Cavalli made his only appearance against the Cubs in the season opener on March 26, allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits in 3 2/3 innings of the 10-4 win by Washington.
Washington appears to be reshaping its starting pitching staff, as veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas was designated for assignment on Wednesday, just a week after achieving 10 years of MLB service time.
Jackson Kent made his major-league debut on Wednesday and looked effective during stretches. The left-hander allowed three runs and three hits over 4-plus innings, striking out six and walking five. He did not figure into the decision.
“It’s never easy,” Washington manager Blake Butera said of releasing Mikolas. “Miles was an unbelievable person, unbelievable teammate.”
–Field Level Media
