9 Javier Baez 2B

Baez went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Reds.

It was his 28th homer of the year and third in the last four games as Baez is once again making life miserable for the opposition, going 12-for-26 over his last six contests to push his slash line on the season up to .297/.329/.579. The 25-year-old is also only two long balls and three RBI shy of his first campaign with 30 homers an 100 RBI.

Baez went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Tigers.

The Cubs entered the top of the ninth inning up by only two runs, but Baez broke the game open with his 26th home run of the season, a three-run shot off Victor Alcantara that made it 7-2. Baez has already set new career highs in home runs and RBI (92), as the 25-year-old has played like a legitimate MVP candidate this season.

Baez will hit atop the order and start at second base against Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Baez will serve as the Cubs leadoff hitter for the second straight game after going 2-for-5 with a triple and one run scored during Wednesday's victory over the Brewers. Anthony Rizzo will stay in the cleanup spot with David Bote batting third.

Baez will serve as the leadoff hitter and man second base against the Brewers on Wednesday.

This marks just the third time all year that Baez will hit atop the order as manager Joe Maddon elects to shake things up following Tuesday's defeat. Since the All-Star break, Baez is hitting .295 with a .925 OPS and 17 RBI in 24 games. Don't expect him to remain the first hitter moving forward, though Maddon could decide to keep it going if the offense performs during Wednesday's matinee.

Baez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, his 25th of the season, and two RBI in Monday's win over the Royals.

Baez continued his ridiculous stretch at the plate, as he now has six home runs, 14 RBI and a 1.467 OPS over his past 10 games. With the way the 25-year-old has been playing this season, he could join teammate Kris Bryant as a National League MVP winner when all is said and done, especially if he keeps up his recent production through the end of the year.