How Cubs’ Carson Kelly made Craig Counsell look like a genius vs. Mets

As the Chicago Cubs are looking to turn around the 2026 season on a positive note after the injuries to their pitching staff throughout the beginning, the 4-2 win over the New York Mets is a good start, as the team has now won four straight. The win was helped by a clutch home run by Cubs catcher Carson Kelly, with the moment in some ways giving manager Craig Counsell the last laugh.

Kelly wouldn’t even start the game as he came in pinch-hitting in the bottom of the sixth inning for Moises Ballesteros, leading to the catcher seeing one pitch and connecting for a home run to left-center field. Jesse Rogers of ESPN would note that Counsell had been “quasi-grilled” about putting in Kelly for Ballesteros in games, but it paid off on Saturday.

“Before the game, Craig Counsell was quasi-grilled about pinch-hitting for Moises Ballesteros so often. Did it again today, the result was a pinch hit 3-run homer by Carson Kelly, breaking a 1-1 tie. Think I could hear Counsell laughing from up in the pressbox,” Rogers wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

ONE PITCH. ONE SWING. CARSON KELLY. pic.twitter.com/UhpewazRPH

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 18, 2026

As for Kelly’s approach, he would speak on staying ready for the moment.

“Just get a good pitch to drive,” Kelly said about his approach, via MLB.com. “You know, I think coming off the bench, you just prepare yourself down underneath, get loose. Get the body loose, you know, read the report and just be in a good position to put a good swing on a pitch.”

“You keep along with the game. I’m always watching the game, taking mental at-bats, you know, when I’m not in there and just ready to answer the call, and when it’s there,” Kelly continued.

It remains to be seen how often Counsell puts Kelly in for Ballesteros.

The post How Cubs’ Carson Kelly made Craig Counsell look like a genius vs. Mets appeared first on ClutchPoints.