Willson Contreras Explains The Genius Behind Javier Baez Stealing Home Against The Mets

The Chicago Cubs swept the New York Mets, capping off their 6-1 road trip with a 2-0 win on Sunday. There weren't any long home runs, or a barrage of hits, but some beautiful base running that got the Cubs their two runs. The game-winner came from a steal of home by Javier Baez and it gets even better when you dissect the play. The entire seventh inning was a masterpiece in base running. Baez started the seventh, hitting a single and then went to third base, perfectly reading a base hit to shallow center field by Willson Contreras. So, with Baez at third and Contreras at first the plan went into action. Ian Happ was facing Mets pitcher Steven Matz and although the steal of home by Baez took place on the 1-1 pitch, it was all set up on the 1-0 delivery. Contreras faked trying to steal second base, forcing the Mets catcher, Kevin Plawecki, to get up from his crouch. That got the attention of Matz, who then threw over to first base and that's when Baez took advantage against the left-handed pitcher.

After the 2-0 win, Contreras was on the ABC postgame show and explained how he and Baez set the plan in motion.

Baez discussed the play as well.

Jon Lester speaking for all Cubs fans with this statement.

Gotta love El Mago, always thinking about new tricks to unveil. Also, how about the great base running by Contreras later in the seventh inning. After a Kyle Schwarber infield single he went to third base and with one out he scored on a pop up to shallow right field. Obviously it helped that the Mets second baseman caught the ball and was on his heels instead of letting the outfielder race in to have all the momentum on a throw to home. That doesn't take away the fact that it was a heads up move by Contreras to be aggressive on that play and score. All that after catching 14 innings Saturday night and taking a foul tip off his toe late in that game too. Contreras is a warrior. Anyway, the Cubs are now 33-23, and with the White Sox winning two of three this weekend the Cubs are two games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the division.