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The Chicago Cubs' hitting was sensational in the first half of the season, and it's dropped off since the All-Star break. The Cubs still rank No. 7 in the MLB in runs per game and No. 8 in team OPS, but have fallen to 14th in batting average and 12th in total hits.
However, one Cub who hasn't fallen off one bit is second baseman Nico Hoerner. Hoerner is the definition of consistency in the batter's box.
The seven year veteran won't give you more than 10 home runs in a season, but he's going to consistently hit line drives and get on base. Hoerner ranks No. 2 in the National League in batting average, and with nine games remaining, he has a chance to get hot and win the NL batting title.
How Can Hoerner Win The NL Batting Title?
The Cubs' second baseman sits at No. 2 in the NL, hitting .301, behind only Philadelphia Phillies' shortstop Trea Turner. However, Hoerner's chance at winning the battle title looks to be solely in his control.
Turner was place on the 10-day injured list by the Phillies on Sept. 7, with a hamstring injury. The Phillies received good news on Turner's potential return date earlier this week, but it doesn't mean he'll return in the regular season.
Hamstrings aren't injuries you want to rush back, and Philadelphia has already clinched its division. The Phillies are still gunning for the No. 1 seed, but are currently three games back of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Nico Hoerner and Trea Turner are the only players in MLB this season with a .295+ average, 25+ steals, and 55+ RBI.
It's more likely than not that Turner waits to return until the postseason, so the Phillies can make sure he's healthy for a playoff run.
With that being said, the simple answer is Hoerner catching Turner and passing him to win the batting title.
Turner has a .305 average this season, a few points better than Hoerner's .301. With nine games left, the Cubs' second baseman will likely get about 35 at-bats if you give him three-to four per game. To finish with a .305 average, he would need 15 hits in those 35 at-bats, which is a .400 pace, to pass Turner, according to Cubs on Tuesday Podcast host Brendan Miller.
"Nico Hoerner...has just been absolutely ABSURD...Watching a guy hit .337 AVG and to do with line drive after line drive ... it is so awesome. It is so awesome to watch him play baseball."
Ep. 30 of the BN Cubs Podcast is brought to you by @ankinlawhttps://t.co/SOgN1rUsbh pic.twitter.com/42fIeVD77u
Now, that's no easy feat to accomplish. However, Hoerner has shown the ability to do so. The only reason Hoerner is in this position is because of his hot-hitting in September.
The Cubs' second baseman has gone 25-for-65 in the month of September, hitting .385.
It won't be easy, but the NL batting title is in reach for Hoerner. If Turner doesn't return during the regular season for the Phillies, Hoerner needs to hit about .400 through the final nine games of the season to pass the 2021 batting champion and win his first batting title.
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