Ian Happ, the Chicago Cubs’ versatile outfielder, has been turning heads with his exceptional performance at the plate this season. With a hot bat driving the Cubs’ offense, Happ has quickly become a key figure in the team’s lineup, providing consistency and power. Here’s a look into what’s fueling Happ’s offensive surge and how his versatility impacts the Cubs’ success.
Happ’s stats this season speak volumes about his prowess at the plate. As of mid-July, he’s hitting .241 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs, leading the team in several offensive categories. His OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .802 places him among the elite hitters in the National League.
One of the keys to Happ’s success has been his improved plate discipline. Happ has always been known for his power, but he struggled with strikeouts and consistency in the past. This season, he’s shown remarkable patience, working deep counts and drawing more walks. His walk rate has increased to 13.2%, while his strikeout rate has dropped to 27%. This disciplined approach has allowed Happ to get into more favorable hitting counts, where he can unleash his power.
Happ has made several adjustments to his swing mechanics and approach at the plate. He’s shortened his swing, making it more compact and efficient, which has helped him make more consistent contact. Additionally, he’s worked on staying back on pitches longer and allowing him to drive the ball to all parts of the field with authority. These refinements have not only improved his batting average but have also increased his power output.
What sets Happ apart is his ability to deliver in clutch situations. With runners in scoring position, he’s batting an impressive .272, providing the Cubs with crucial hits in key moments. His knack for coming through when it matters most has significantly boosted the team’s offense, often sparking rallies and turning the tide in close games.
While Happ’s bat has been the highlight, his defensive versatility should not be overlooked. Capable of playing all three outfield positions and second and third base, Happ’s flexibility gives the Cubs’ manager, Craig Counsell, valuable options in constructing the lineup. This ability to move around the field while maintaining high offensive production makes Happ an invaluable asset to the team.
Happ’s hot bat has a ripple effect throughout the Cubs’ lineup. His presence and production protect the hitters around him, forcing opposing pitchers to pitch more carefully to the entire lineup. This has increased opportunities for his teammates, creating a more balanced and potent offensive attack.
Ian Happ’s performance will be pivotal as the Cubs strive to regain momentum and push for a playoff spot. His ability to maintain this production level and versatility will bolster the team’s chances. With his combination of power, plate discipline, and clutch hitting, Happ remains a key player in the Cubs’ lineup. Cubs fans can rely on Happ to continue making significant contributions as the team works to overcome challenges and make a postseason push.
Ian Happ’s hot bat and versatile glove have been a revelation for the Chicago Cubs this season. His offensive surge, driven by improved plate discipline, mechanical adjustments, clutch performance, and defensive flexibility, has ignited the Cubs’ efforts amid their pursuit of playoff contention. As the season progresses, Cubs fans can look forward to more impactful performances from Happ as he strives to help propel the team toward success.
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The talk of the trade rumor mill right now is Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez. The Milwaukee Brewers are one of many teams to be connected to the 34 year old slugger, along with the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. Suarez continues to raise his profile, battling with Shohei Ohtani for the NL home run lead, already with 36 long balls on the season. He'd be an immediate boost to any team looking for offensive help, which the Brewers certainly are. But there's another contender in the Suarez Sweepstakes that's just entered, and it's one the Brewers' other division rivals. The Cincinnati Reds. While the Milwaukee Brewers have taken a one game lead in the NL Central, the Cincinnati Reds have quietly snuck into 3rd place in the division and currently sit 8.5 games back of the Brewers with a 53-50 record. Fangraphs gives the Reds a 0.4% chance to win the division and a 10.9% chance to make the playoffs. Suarez would no doubt give a boost to the Reds in their hunt for a wild card spot, and it would be a reunion for the two sides. Suarez was a Red from 2015-2021 and he had some of the best years of his career there. He slugged a career high 49 home runs for them in 2019. The inclusion of the Reds would certainly throw a wrench in the Suarez sweepstakes as a team that's out on the periphery of the playoff race. He could certainly cause some more headaches for the Brewers as they try to close out the division. Still, the Reds might be a more preferable alternative destination for Suarez than the Cubs if you're the Brewers. The Reds have a lot of good, young players that they could trade in order to get Suarez. They've been desperate to get to that next level the last couple of years and they may finally push some chips in to get themselves back into the playoffs. The number of teams interested in Suarez continues to grow. That will just raise the price on the Brewers a little bit more if they want to get him.
Lakers power forward Maxi Kleber was reportedly close to being involved in another trade with his new team. A former fan favorite of the Dallas Mavericks, Kleber spent eight seasons in Dallas before being part of one of the biggest trades in NBA history — heading to Los Angeles along with NBA superstar Luka Dončić. Now, after missing most of last season due to injury and playing just five minutes for the Lakers before re-injuring a right foot fracture he suffered in January, Kleber nearly found himself on the move again. The reason? The Lakers recently signed star guard Marcus Smart following his buyout with the Washington Wizards. To make room for the deal, Los Angeles needed to clear additional cap space. Their first move was to release point guard Shake Milton, freeing up about $3 million. But that still wasn’t enough. Initially, the Lakers considered trading away players like Dalton Knecht and another player on an expiring contract to bring back a single, more affordable option. Kleber was rumored to be that expiring contract player potentially involved in the deal. However, after exploring options, the Lakers ultimately chose a simpler route — releasing guard Jordan Goodwin to free up the remaining space and finalize the signing of Smart. Kleber has long been regarded as a valuable role player and depth piece, known for his versatility as a big man with the ability to shoot from the perimeter. Now, reunited with Luka Dončić — this time wearing purple and gold — Kleber hopes to make an impact in Los Angeles. But injury concerns remain: over the past few seasons, he has missed significant time, and that’s the last thing the Lakers can afford after spending nearly all of their cap space to acquire Marcus Smart. To avoid finding himself at the center of another major trade, Kleber will need to stay healthy, contribute consistently, and simply be available to help the Lakers in their pursuit of a championship next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t slowing down in their bid to build a contender, making another move to strengthen the squad for a championship run next season. Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, is set to join a roster that now stands at 14 players. Smart links up with DeAndre Ayton, who is expected to take on the main role at centre. Both signings signal a shift towards adding experienced players who can fill key gaps in the lineup. Guard depth was clearly high on the agenda during free agency. Before landing Marcus Smart, the Lakers explored several backcourt options, some of whom ended up signing elsewhere or staying put. The team reportedly showed interest in Bradley Beal before he signed with the Clippers and also considered Malcolm Brogdon as they looked for guards who could impact both ends of the floor. Timberwolves quickly shut down Donte DiVincenzo approach NBA insider Brett Siegel shared that the Lakers reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves about Donte DiVincenzo, but Minnesota quickly shut down any possibility of a deal. “Los Angeles also reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves about Donte DiVincenzo’s availability, but the Wolves were not interested at all,” Siegel reported, underlining how firmly Minnesota values the guard. DiVincenzo offers what Los Angeles was looking for during their search. The defensive-minded guard provided secondary scoring while shooting efficiently from beyond the arc. His 2024 numbers included 11.7 points, 3.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on 39.7% shooting from deep. Questions remain around Marcus Smart’s shooting but defence remains elite Smart isn’t known for his offensive output, but he did post a 39.2% three-point rate in Washington last season. The Lakers are hoping he can keep that up, especially when Luka Doncic is off the floor. Defence has always been Smart’s strong suit, and that hasn’t changed. His perimeter play is still a real strength, and it’s what the Lakers will lean on most. The Celtics connection gives him a veteran presence this group could use. The Lakers were short on dependable playoff options last year, and Smart should help steady things. Salary cap leaves Lakers short on additional moves The Lakers are just over $1 million from the first-apron tax threshold, limiting their ability to add another high-profile player. Smart’s arrival is likely the last major move unless the team makes additional changes to free up cap space. The 14-man roster, anchored by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, offer plenty of depth and flexibility. Still, whether that translates into a championship run will depend on how well the group stays healthy and builds chemistry. Both Smart and Ayton come with questions attached. The team’s success may ultimately hinge on how those gambles pay off.
Shortly after Miami Dolphins players reported for training camp on Tuesday, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill suggested he wants to be "better as a leader" after he controversially subbed himself out of Miami's regular-season finale this past January and then told reporters he was "out." While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa addressed the Hill-sized elephant in the room. "I think there’s a lot more vulnerability with Tyreek," Tagovailoa explained, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "He’s conversating a lot more with the guys, not just about football, but about things off the field, being vulnerable about some of the things people know about his personal life and things of that nature. I think that’s the first step toward him building true relationships and a real connection with a lot of the guys in there." Following Hill's "out" comment, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier revealed that the 31-year-old speedster never requested a trade. While publicly apologizing to his teammates during a Super Bowl week interview, Hill directly said that Tagovailoa is his "guy." Hill also insisted at the time that he loves Tagovailoa. "Everybody makes mistakes," Tagovailoa added about Hill. "It’s just, some people, they’re in the spotlight, and their deals get pushed out more than some others. So you’ve just got to cut him some grace. That’s our teammate. We love him, but as a person, I think if you get to know him, you’ll love him too." Hill and Tagovailoa likely will need to be on the same page if they want to prevent the Dolphins from going through a franchise reset next offseason. At least head coach Mike McDaniel is reportedly on the hot seat this summer, while Tagovailoa's status beyond the upcoming campaign is up in the air after he suffered a third reported concussion since the fall of 2022 last season. "You guys aren’t the only people that heard that," Tagovailoa said about Hill's "out" statement. "...So when you say something like that, you don’t just come back from that with, 'Hey, my bad.' You’ve got to work that relationship up. You’ve got to build everything up again. It’s still a work in progress, not just for me but for everybody. But like I said, he’s working on himself, he’s working on the things he says he wants to get better with and do better on. So that’s the first step to me, so I commend him for doing that." As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 2024 Dolphins at -275 betting odds to miss the playoffs. Those who believe the relationship between Tagovailoa and Hill is on shaky ground following Wednesday's developments may want to take a flier on such a wager before the odds change later this year.