Timing the key for Cubs' Michael Busch to shake slump

ST. LOUIS – The Cubs boiled down Michael Busch’s struggles over the last month to timing, before it all clicked Saturday as he blasted a leadoff double and solo home runs in his first two at-bats of the Cubs’ 9-1 win against the Cardinals.

“Over the course of my career, just had moments [when] timing wasn't good, mechanically, and stuff like that,” Busch said after the game Saturday. “So there's always boxes you check. Sometimes you’re getting pitched really well, and you try to figure out a way to win that at-bat. Just haven't been doing a great job of it, but felt much better [Saturday].”

Consistency had been a hallmark of Busch’s performance for the first three months of the season – which meant that his steady contributions were often overshadowed by flashier performances. But entering Saturday, he’d hit just .155 in his previous 25 games. His three home runs in that span were his only extra-base hits.

“We dialed in all the mechanics all offseason, came in in a really good spot,” hitting coach Dustin Kelly said Sunday. “The only thing that we've had to monitor him with has just been the timing of the leg kick and then the timing of the forward move.”

The Cubs noticed that in recent weeks, Busch’s foot plant was a little later than ideal, Kelly said, which had him behind on fastballs. Kelly also attributed Busch’s increased chase rate to that timing issue.

“A lot of that has to do with the tempo of the pitcher, slide steps kind of do it to him sometimes, or quicker motion,” Kelly said. “So we have to monitor it. But we didn't change anything. It was just bringing awareness to it.”

On Saturday, Busch jumped all over a pair of breaking balls about belt high to charge an early offensive push.

“That leadoff spot’s not easy,” said Ian Happ, who occupied that spot up until about a month ago. “Not easy to get those ABs every day to start the game off, you feel like you’re up all the time. And he’s handled it really well. … He's just been really solid all year. Completely, totally overlooked. But consistent.”