Earlier Wednesday night, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ smacked a solo home run off Atlanta Braves pitcher Darius Vines.
The homer was the switch-hitter’s 20th home run of the season and his third season of at least 20 home runs. It also marks his second season of at least 20 home runs and 20 doubles, and back-to-back seasons with at least 140 hits.
Here’s the interesting thing about Happ’s home run: Happ’s 20th shot makes him the sixth player for the Cubs’ this season with at least 20 home runs.
Happ, along with Cody Bellinger (26), Christopher Morel (25), Dansby Swanson (22), Patrick Wisdom (22), and Seiya Suzuki (20) are the other Cubs hitters in the club. Jeimer Candelario has 21 total home runs on the season as well but has only five with the Cubs, meaning he doesn't qualify for the club.
Who are the only other teams that currently have at least six players with 20 or more home runs? The Braves, who have seven, and the Tampa Bay Rays, who added their sixth player tonight.
Fun fact about the Braves. Not only do they have seven hitters with at least 20, they have five with at least 30 home runs (Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr, and Austin Riley), and two with at least 40 home runs (Acuna Jr, and Olson).
For Cubs fans’ sake the next two nights, let’s hope these numbers for the Braves don’t get any higher.
The Cubs look to even the score in their current series with the Braves, coming off a rough ending on Tuesday night. Ideally, the Cubs’ bats continue to stay hot Wednesday night.
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