It’s Javy Time!
Javier Baez has a flair for the dramatic. And Baez delivered a big hit in a postseason game again when the Cubs needed one.
Friday night Baez stepped in the box with one out in the eighth inning of a scoreless game. Instead of bunting his way on, Baez put together an excellent at-bat. Baez worked a full count against Johnny Cueto.
And then it was Javy Time …
Baez launched a towering home run to left field. Baez got all of the ball that off the bat appeared it would land on Waveland Ave. The ball ended up in the basket. And just the 10th home run hit all season by a right-handed hitter off Cueto was the difference in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Javier Baez admitted after the game he thought about trying to bunt his way on in the eighth. Cueto had allowed just two hits all night before Baez launched the home run.
According to Daren Willman, Baez’s blast had an exit velocity of 107.4 mph and traveled an estimated 381 feet.
Javier Baez is just one of 12 players in the history of the game to hit a solo home run that led his team to a 1-0 win in the postseason. Baez joined a rather impressive list that includes Mike Schmidt, Frank Robinson, Paul Blair, Sal Bando and Casey Stengel.
• Lester Deals, Baez Blasts Cubs to Win in Game 1 – Cubs 1, Giants 0