The Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night to improve to 49-53 on the season. It was the start of a good week for the Cubs, who had been told by their front office that they needed to have a solid week in order to move from “sellers” to “buyers” with the upcoming trade deadline.
Drew Smyly earned the win in relief and Ian Happ hit his 16th home run of the season to lead the team to a 3-1 victory.
The home run made Happ 1-for-4 at-bats and he now has 59 RBI. Additionally, according to social media outlet @StatsCentre, the home run puts him in an honored group in franchise history.
@Cubs franchise most home runs ever – by player before turning 30:
269- Ernie Banks
253- Ron Santo
244- Sammy Sosa
211- Anthony Rizzo
203- Billy Williams
160-Aramis Ramirez
160- Kris Bryant
141- Ian Happ (1 goal in Monday’s 3-1 win over MIL)
140- Javier Baez
Most career home runs Cubs Franchise – Players before turning 30:
269- Ernie Banks
253- Ron Santo
244- Sammy Sosa
211- Anthony Rizzo
203- Billy Williams
160-Aramis Ramirez
160- Kris Bryant
141- Ian Happ (1 goal in Monday’s 3-1 win over MIL)
140- Javier Baez pic.twitter.com/3CWcwEUYoP
— Statistics Center (@StatsCentre) July 23, 2024
At 29 years old, Happ turns 30 on Aug. 12, so he’s just over the deadline. The former first-round draft pick is in his eighth major league season, all with the Cubs, and has a career batting average of .248 with 141 home runs and 451 RBIs.
The Cubs and Brewers meet again on Tuesday night, with first pitch at 8:05 p.m. ET. Chicago will have right-hander Jameson Taillon pitching for the Cubs and right-hander Collin Ray for Milwaukee. Taillon has a 7-4 record with a 3.10 ERA, while Ray has a 9-3 record with a 3.77 ERA.
Taillon is one of the players Chicago could potentially move if they ultimately make a sale.
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