Inside The Cubs

Bellinger on Chicago Cubs' Top of the Lineup: 'Really Simplifies the Game'

The Chicago Cubs' offense has largely been carried by the top of their lineup, and Cody Bellinger is enjoying hitting behind them.

Ryan Sikes

Bellinger on Chicago Cubs' Top of the Lineup: 'Really Simplifies the Game'
Bellinger on Chicago Cubs' Top of the Lineup: 'Really Simplifies the Game' /
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Cody Bellinger had a rough debut in a Chicago Cubs uniform. The 27-year-old went without a hit in his first 11 bats at Wrigley Field, including four strikeouts.

However, the North Siders traveled to Cincinnati for their first road series of the season, and the weather was noticeably cooler. 

Bellinger, who spent his first six seasons in Los Angeles, thrived in the warmer temperatures, clubbing his first home run on Monday. He followed with a 3-for-5 outing in Tuesday's win.

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson have done a terrific job of getting on base in the early stages of the 2023 campaign, lining back-to-back singles to set up Bellinger's three-run home run.

Combined with Ian Happ's hot start, there has been plenty of traffic on the basepaths when Bellinger is at the plate.

"It really just simplifies the game," Bellinger said of hitting behind the top Cubs' top three. "There's an opportunity to get the job done. There's no one on base it's just you. If there are guys on base, the moment is bigger than you and you want to get the job done for the team.

Swanson has arguably been the Cubs' hottest hitter through the first five games, going 10-for-20, including three 3-hit games in his first four games.

Hoerner, fresh off signing a well-deserved contract extension, has started the year on a positive note, hitting .292 (7-for-24), with two doubles and a pair of stolen bases as well.

Station-to-station baseball is a breath of fresh air after the last several seasons in what felt like all or nothing. This year's Cubs team emphasizes contact, beginning with Hoerner, Swanson, and Happ getting on base for the middle of the order.

"They've been unbelievable and it's been a really fun start," Bellinger added.

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Ryan Sikes
RYAN SIKES

Ryan is a Chicago Cubs writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside The Cubs, an IBWAA member, and has followed the Cubs since the mid-1990s. He grew up in the Rockford area and used to attend a handful of games every summer at Wrigley Field, including Aramis Ramirez's walkoff home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 after the Cubs trailed 5-0.He attended the University of Iowa and currently resides in the western suburbs. In addition to covering the Cubs, he covers the USHL for FloHockey and NCAA hockey for College Hockey News. When he's not writing or watching sports, he enjoys hanging out with his wife and three kids.

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