Ian

Happ

Both said they’d be open to the possibility. Suzuki is entering the final year of a five-year, $85 million pact he signed after coming over from Japan. Happ signed a surprisingly modest three-year, $61 million extension in April 2023, which was about five months before he would have been eligible for free agency for the first time. The Cubs should have interest in retaining both, but they do potentially have Kevin Alcántara ready to take over for one of the two next year.

Crow-Armstong (center field), Ian Happ (left field) and Nico Hoerner (second base) made it three Gold Glove winners for the Cubs. Also chosen were Logan Webb (pitcher), Patrick Bailey (catcher), Matt Olson (first base), Ke’Bryan Hayes (third base), Masyn Winn (shortstop), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field) and Javier Sanoja (utilityman). Those seem like all of the right choices for the most part, though we’re once again seeing there’s just no reason for there to be a utilityman Gold Glove handed out every year.

Happ snapped out of a prolonged postseason slump with a no-doubter to right field against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta with two outs in the opening frame to give the Cubs an early advantage. He had been 4-for-36 against Peralta in his career prior to the round-tripper. It was one of the biggest moments of his career and set the tone for a potential series-turning victory as Chicago forces a winner-take-all Game 5 showdown on Saturday in Milwaukee after dropping the first two contests of the best-of-five series.

Chicago will attempt to stave off elimination for the second straight contest at Wrigley Field by rolling out the exact same lineup, which features Busch in the leadoff spot to face Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The 27-year-old slugger blasted a solo homer — his third postseason round-tripper — in the Cubs’ pivotal Game 3 win. Here’s the full lineup: Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Cubs manager Craig Counsell will shake things up with veteran Justin Turner leading off, while Michael Busch starts on the bench. Lefty opener Aaron Ashby will take the ball for Milwaukee to kick off the contest before Quinn Priester enters in a bulk relief role. Here’s the full lineup: Turner (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstring (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Suzuki has been bumped up to the cleanup spot to face Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, with Ian Happ moved down a couple spots, after going 3-for-11 with one homer and a pair of doubles in Chicago’s Wild Card Series victory over San Diego. The 31-year-old corner outfielder finished the season with an impressive power surge and is clearly building some momentum heading into fantasy drafts next spring. Here’s the full lineup: Michael Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Suzuki (RF), Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

With the win, the Cubs have clinched a postseason berth. Happ smashed a two-run homer in the first off Johan Oviedo, and added an RBI single in the sixth off Duari Moreta. Happ has swung the bat exceptionally well as of late, and improved his slash to .243/.347/.426 with 23 homers and 73 runs driven in.

Happ crushed a 356-foot (100.0 mph EV) solo shot off of Adrian Houser in the sixth inning that pulled the Cubs to within a run at 3-2. He also singled in the fourth inning but wound up being cut down at home on a double play. The 31year-old outfielder is now slashing .242/.344/.422 with 22 homers, 69 RBI and six stolen bases on the season.

Happ smacked a game-tying RBI single off of Shane Baz to cap off a three-run rally in the second inning. He then walloped a 370-foot (105.5 mph EV) solo shot off of Edwin Uceta in the fourth inning that increased the Cubs’ lead to 6-4. He also doubled off of Griffin Jax in the sixth inning. With his three-hit afternoon, Happ is now hitting .241/.342/.418 with 21 long balls and 68 RBI on the season.

Happ singled off of Spencer Strider in the first inning. He then lined a one-out double to center in the third and raced around to score on a run-scoring single by Pete-Crow Armstrong. With his two-hit attack, Happ is slashing .238/.340/.410 with 20 homers, 66 RBI and six stolen bases over 589 plate appearances on the season.