Chicago Cubs: Hoerner and Swanson offensive rebirth started on the same date

The Chicago Cubs, on Tuesday, not only notched a victory over the back-to-back defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, but they also did it with new Dodger Tarik Skubal on the mound. The victory at Wrigley Field secured them the series win versus the overwhelming 2026 World Series favorites.

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Among the heroes of the 5-1 win were second baseman Nico Hoerner and shortstop Dansby Swanson. Both homered in the game, with Swanson actually doing so off Skubal. On the evening, Hoerner went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs while Swanson was 3-for-4 with a homer and an RBI.

Tuesday’s performances were actually just part of the continuing upward offensive trajectory for both.

Swanson and Hoerner come alive

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In August alone, the two have combined for a .345 average with three home runs and four RBIs.

But the trend goes back even further. Interestingly enough, both middle infielders turned things around on a previously dreadful offensive season on the exact same date—June 24, in the Cubs’ double header with the New York Mets.

Since that day—a day where Swanson had a historic 11 RBIs—both players have been red-hot.

Hoerner has hit .307 in the 34 games starting with the 24th. He now looks like his usual self, making contact and smartly aggressive in putting the ball in play.

Swanson is hitting .275 since that day, but he also has 8 home runs and 27 RBIs in that run. Prior to that, there was real talk about benching the veteran, whose average was down to .189 before the start of the twin bill in New York.

To their credits, their defense never suffered during the offensive doldrums. They were still contributing. But, of course, bringing their bats along is a big deal for this team with real postseason aspirations.

Coming along at the perfect time

The connection between the double-play partners has been written about before and that synergy makes the simultaneous offensive awakening all the more interesting.

“We just have an understanding of how we want to play the game, how we want to work, and how we want to prepare,” Swanson said of Hoerner earlier in the season. “It makes it very seamless when you have two guys that are cut from the same cloth.”

“His preparation,” Hoerner responded to a question regarding what makes Swanson a special ball player. “He knows himself really well, and he’s definitely got his routine down in the most efficient way you can do it… he’s got it to where he’s able to be at his best every day regardless of how he’s feeling and knowing when to work and when to take a day lighter and manage that so he’s at his best playing. That’s definitely something that I can improve on.”

Whatever the reason, the two have awoken at the absolute perfect time—just as the Cubs are fortifying their roster and making that last push towards the playoffs.

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