RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Cubs catcher Carson Kelly reveals Chicago’s motto for showdown vs. Dodgers appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Carson Kelly had a hand in nearly everything Chicago’s offense did well Monday night, powering a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers . The catcher homered in the third inning and later drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth after successfully challenging a called third strike using the ABS system, part of a night that saw the Cubs hand Los Angeles its fourth straight loss.
Speaking to ESPN’s Taylor McGregor after the game, Kelly explained the simple approach that fueled his big outing.
“Hit the ball in the air, that was the motto,” Kelly said. “We just continue to make some small adjustments, try to get the ball in the air, and it was a good one for it.”
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“The catcher is challenging the call” 🤣
Carson Kelly homers & challenges a strike call to walk in a run. #Cubs take game 1 against the Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/HC0UA7q9uJ
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) August 4, 2026
The 32-year-old also broke down his mindset heading into that pivotal sixth-inning at-bat with the bases loaded.
“You’ve got to be ready for that moment and think ahead a little bit, slow the moment down, and that was a good time for it,” Kelly said.
The Cubs needed every bit of that production after falling into an early hole.
Los Angeles jumped ahead 3-0 within the first five pitches of the game, but Chicago answered behind Seiya Suzuki, Kevin Alcantara, and Kelly, who all connected for two-run homers to swing momentum.
Kelly touched on how much regaining that lead changed the complexion of the game. “Going down early, Boyd swung it, got some runs back, and then Maddie just holding it down,” he said, continuing a pattern of clutch production that has defined much of his season . “So all in all, just a very good team win for us.”
The 10-year veteran’s night ended with a lighthearted moment on the challenge system itself, admitting he had no idea he was even the one who triggered it.
“No, I didn’t. Did he? Is that what he said? I love that,” Kelly said, when asked if he realized he was the one challenging the strike call as the batter.
Michael Busch, playing against his former team, added three RBIs of his own, while Justin Wrobleski took the loss for Los Angeles after allowing seven runs over 4.1 innings. The result pulled Chicago within 5.5 games of first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.
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