Michael Conforto Emerging As Key Hitter Off Cubs Bench

Although Kelly eventually struck out in that plate appearance, Counsell went to Conforto just one inning later for a chance to win the game.

The Cubs just tied up the ballgame on a Nico Hoerner sac fly, and Counsell decided to replace Matt Shaw with Conforto with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Six pitches later, the team was celebrating at home plate.

Conforto took a 94 mph fastball in the upper part of the zone and launched it 405 feet to left-center field to walk it off. The decision to pinch-hit for Shaw was a smart move by the veteran manager.

Counsell has arguably been the best manager in baseball in knowing when to go to his bench in key situations. The Cubs are slashing .353/.421/.618 with two home runs and nine RBI across 38 pinch-hit opportunities this year.

Conforto has been a big part of that, as he is 4-for-9 with two doubles, one home run, and two RBI as a pinch hitter this season.

The former All-Star did not get off to a good start in his tenure with the Cubs. He had just one hit in his first 11 plate appearances and didn’t provide much early in the year. The veteran was looking like a prime DFA candidate once Seiya Suzuki came back from the injured list.

But Conforto continues to do his job and is thriving in this pinch-hitter role. Since starting the season 1-for-9 at the plate, he has nine hits over his last 22 at-bats (.409 batting average).

It’s clear Conforto is settling in quite nicely on this Cubs team.