The Los Angeles Dodgers fell 10-4 to the Chicago Cubs on Monday in a game that saw Cody Bellinger and Michael Busch find success against their former teammates.
Bellinger gave the Cubs an early lead with a two-run homer off Walker Buehler in the top of the first. It was Bellinger’s 16th home run of the season and 81st at Dodger Stadium, which ranks third among active players.
Bellinger spent the first six seasons of his career with the Dodgers, earning National League MVP honors in 2019 and helping the team win the World Series the following year.
He previously returned to Dodger Stadium last season but admitted to having mixed feelings about being back, via Sarah Wexler of MLB.com:
“I definitely do,” Bellinger said when asked if he felt nostalgic playing in L.A. again. “I think even just showing up to the ballpark, seeing the security guards and seeing everyone. It’s a weird feeling, but it’s a cool feeling. I always like coming back.”
Busch also homered and doubled as part of a 4-for-5 night in his first game back at Dodger Stadium since being traded to the Cubs this past January.
Busch reflected on his time with the Dodgers and had nothing but positive things to say:
“[The Dodgers] did a lot for me,” said Busch. “Obviously they drafted me, but just like the Cubs, they had a bunch of guys who worked extremely hard to help players get better, help prepare them for the big leagues. So kudos to them. Very thankful. That’s a good organization with good people.”
Busch was selected by the Dodgers with the 31st overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and emerged as one of the organization’s top prospects. He appeared in 27 games with the Dodgers last season before being traded to the Cubs for an opportunity to get regular starts.
Busch hit his first home run of the 2024 season when the Cubs hosted the Dodgers at Wrigley Field this past April. Bellinger said at the time that Busch was taking advantage of his new opportunity in Chicago.
Cody Bellinger and Michael Busch thriving with Cubs
Although the Cubs find themselves five games out of the final NL Wild Card spot, Bellinger and Busch are both having productive seasons.
Bellinger is hitting .265/.327/.427 with 23 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 499 plate appearances over 130 games this season.
Busch is batting .252/.337/.434 with 26 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 55 RBI in 507 plate appearances across 135 games this year.
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