Cubs fans will appreciate this Clay Holmes admission

National League MVP contender Pete Crow-Armstrong leads all players this season with a +24 fielding run value, per FanGraphs, but Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Clay Holmes does not need to rely on his defensive excellence very often. The men who provide him with the most assistance occupy the diamond.

The veteran right-hander, who arrived in The North Side via a trade deadline deal with the New York Mets, is known for inducing a high number of ground balls. Therefore, he is extremely grateful for the support he consistently receives. Although the Cubs’ infield is overflowing with sure hands and superb instincts, Holmes is more impressed with his teammates’ relentless commitment.

“Yeah, there’s a lot of Gold Gloves here, but I just think that the way the guys play here — they play hard,” the two-time All-Star closer told Marquee Sports Network before Friday afternoon’s series opener versus the Cincinnati Reds. “You see the effort behind you (every time), diving for balls in the hole. It just gives you that much more {of an} edge on the mound, and you can feel it out there. They’re wanting to make plays.

“Especially a guy like me that can get the ball on the ground, it makes my job way easier. I can just trust the sinker and let those guys work.”