{"id":16181,"date":"2025-06-26T11:43:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T11:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/16181\/"},"modified":"2025-06-26T11:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T11:43:11","slug":"cubs-sticking-with-dansby-swanson-in-no-5-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/16181\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs sticking with Dansby Swanson in No. 5 spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs have a chance to salvage a series split against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals after dropping the first two in the four-game set.<\/p>\n

Left-hander Matthew Boyd stopped the Cubs\u2019 three-game skid by limiting the Cardinals to three hits and no walks in six innings in an 8-0 win Wednesday<\/a>. Shota Imanaga returns from the injured list<\/a> to start Thursday\u2019s finale before the Cubs head to Houston, where former Astros Kyle Tucker<\/a> and Ryan Pressly return for the first time since departing in the offseason.<\/p>\n

The Chicago White Sox continue their stretch against the National League West. Having just completed a three-game series<\/a> against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Sox welcome the San Francisco Giants to Rate Field on Friday. Then they head to Los Angeles to begin a three-game series Tuesday against the Dodgers.<\/p>\n

Every Thursday during the regular season, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened \u2014 and what\u2019s ahead \u2014 for the Cubs<\/a> and White Sox<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Want more? Sign up for our Cubs Insider<\/a> and White Sox Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cubs sticking with Dansby Swanson in No. 5 spot
\n\"TheThe Cubs’ Dansby Swanson flies out during the fourth inning against the Cardinals on Monday, June 23, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo\/Jeff Roberson)<\/p>\n

A manager always has choices to make when constructing the batting order. For Cubs manager Craig Counsell, figuring out who to go with in the No. 5 position has lately been among his daily considerations.<\/p>\n

Dansby Swanson has predominantly hit in the five spot since the beginning of June, and he\u2019s batting .240 with a .269 on-base percentage in that span, including two hits in Wednesday\u2019s blowout win over the Cardinals.<\/p>\n

When asked about continuing to have Swanson bat fifth, Counsell pointed to the shortstop\u2019s numbers versus left-handed pitchers and his power. By slotting him between lefties Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch, there\u2019s potential for a platoon advantage for Swanson over the course of a game.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then the power, it\u2019s one swing of the bat that can change the game,\u201d Counsell said.<\/p>\n

Swanson\u2019s struggles with runners in scoring position have been noticeable, though. His .141 average in such situations is the ninth-lowest among the 275 big-league hitters with at least 40 plate appearances with RISP.<\/p>\n

Only 27 players have more plate appearances with RISP than Swanson\u2019s 90, which ranks third on the Cubs behind Seiya Suzuki (97) and Crow-Armstrong (91). Comparatively, Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong own .325 and .329 averages, respectively, in those spots.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally all year I\u2019ve been pretty bad at it, to be honest,\u201d Swanson said of his performance with RISP. \u201cI think a lot of it is being able to simplify and focus on hitting the ball hard somewhere and good things will be able to happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not really holding my end of the bargain up right now in that regard, and it\u2019s definitely something that frustrates me and I\u2019ve got to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grant Taylor makes most of opportunity for Sox
\n\"GrantGrant Taylor and catcher Kyle Teel of the White Sox celebrate a victory over the Blue Jays on June 22, 2025, in Toronto. (Mark Blinch\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Grant Taylor said he \u201cwas a little surprised\u201d Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.<\/p>\n

\u201cSteven (Wilson) was on the mound (in the bullpen), warming up to go in the game,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cBullpen call, I thought it was going to be confirmed him going in because he was already throwing. They run down and tell me I\u2019m in.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo time to think, just get up there and start going. Kind of realized while I was out there, \u2018Oh, this is a save opportunity. This is pretty cool.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Taylor earned the save, the first of his big-league career, by pitching a scoreless ninth in the 4-2 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n

It was an active weekend for the right-hander, who served as the opener Friday. It was his first major-league start.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019m more surprised about the open than I am the save,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n

He became the sixth White Sox pitcher since 1969 to both start and finish a series and the first since Jimmy Lambert on May 22-24, 2023, in Cleveland, according to STATS.<\/p>\n

Also according to STATS, Taylor became the third Sox pitcher since 1969 to start a series opener and earn the save in the finale, joining Dennis Lamp (July 29-Aug. 1, 1982, vs. the Boston Red Sox) and Francisco Barrios (Aug. 20-22, 1976, vs. the Baltimore Orioles).<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looked great,\u201d manager Will Venable said. \u201cThe same stuff that we\u2019ve seen in every one of his outings and the same kind of composure and confidence. He\u2019s been put in a couple different spots now and has responded well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taylor threw 12 pitches Sunday, six of which reached at least 100 mph. He topped out at 102.2.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a lot of fun,\u201d Taylor said of the save opportunity. \u201cExcited to try to do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Number of the week: 53<\/p>\n

The Sox have used a major-league-high 53 players this season (27 pitchers, 26 position players).<\/p>\n

Week ahead: Cubs
\n\"TheThe Cubs’ Nico Hoerner hits a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Cardinals on June 24, 2025, in St. Louis. (Scott Kane\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n