Alex Bregman’s Performance Boosts Cubs with Stellar Home Run Display

Alex Bregman spent extensive time analyzing his swing modifications, reviewing videos in his hotel room early Tuesday morning. He was assisted by Ben Martin, Chicago Cubs assistant director of major-league development, who provided insight using KinaTrax data to examine Bregman’s body biomechanics, especially during his swing load. They compared current footage with Bregman’s 2016 season at Double-A Corpus Christi to determine his desired mechanical position.

Bregman noted, “We observed some notable differences, checked against the video, and reviewed that. I woke up thinking about it and headed into the cage trying to focus on the discussed points.”

This realignment of Bregman’s shoulder and hips showed positive results in the Cubs’ games against the Washington Nationals. After hitting a home run on Tuesday, Bregman outperformed himself on Wednesday. He high-fived teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning, marking the first time he hit three home runs in a single game. The Cubs won 12-6 against the Nationals, with Bregman achieving seven RBIs, a new career high. This victory brought the Cubs within three games of the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

Bregman attributes his success to recent refinements in his mechanics, expressing, “The last month or so felt progressive, but the past two days have been distinctly valuable. Some days this year felt average, and others where multiple extra-base hits occurred, followed by days where something felt off.”

The Cubs joined elite company as the third team since RBIs became official in 1920 to have two players with a three-home-run, seven-RBI game in one season. Previously, this was achieved by the Yankees’ Paul O’Neill and Mike Stanley in 1995, as well as the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Jasson Domínguez in 2025, and now Dansby Swanson and Bregman this year.

Cubs Manager Craig Counsell remarked, “Every year reminds you of the demands of a 162-game season. Players like Alex consistently perform over the long haul. His daily relentless pursuit to be his best self is remarkable.”

The Cubs, currently boasting a 71-50 record, lead the majors with 17 games of scoring 10+ runs. They average 7.1 runs over the last nine games, including eight wins. Left-hander David Peterson managed to contain the Nationals’ offense enough to allow the Cubs’ lineup to succeed.

Counsell also praised the team’s ability to cash in with two outs. The Cubs scored four runs with two outs on Wednesday, leading MLB with 241 runs in those situations. In August, they have been exceptional at batting with two outs, with 36 of their 70 runs coming in such situations. The Cubs rank second in on-base percentage (.344), fourth in batting average (.248), and OPS (.741) in two-out scenarios.

Swanson commented, “We have many accomplished players who consistently prepare well. Our team approach to at-bats, focusing on competition, creates difficulty for opponents.”

Against left-handed pitching, the Cubs demonstrate dominance, leading the league in on-base percentage (.357), slugging percentage (.449), OPS (.806), and ranking second in batting average (.270) with the second-most runs (185) scored against lefties. Rookie Jackson Kent, debuting for the Nationals, struggled against this pressure, conceding five walks across four innings. Pete Crow-Armstrong shone with a fifth-inning RBI double that tied the game. Lefty reliever Tom Cosgrove allowed an additional three Cubs runs, further showcasing the Cubs’ prowess against left-handed pitching.

Counsell emphasized, “Our approach remains consistent. Players like Pete and Michael Busch have excelled against lefty pitching, especially Pete, who stands out as one of the top hitters in the league.”