The Cleveland Indians have won three straight games and Cesar Hernandez has played a big part in all three.
That is a nice change from the struggles that plagued him to start the year.
Hernandez began the season batting second in the order before moving up into the leadoff spot.
He has not been a phenomenal hitter, but has started to get it going as of late.
Hernandez now has four hits and five RBIs in his last three games.
He did not drive in a run Wednesday, but still had two doubles and came around to score in the 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.
That type of impact was the difference between winning and losing.
Hernandez Starting to Wake Up
César Hernández gets his 3️⃣rd homer of the year to put the Indians on 🔝 in the 5th!
(via @Indians) pic.twitter.com/M6XgeUSaeh
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 11, 2021
The second baseman batted .176 in the month of April and is already hitting .273 in May.
That is right in line with his .274 career average.
His on-base percentage is up over .300 on the year, so that is at least a promising sign.
Hernandez’s top strength is his defense.
He won a Gold Glove in 2020 and was rewarded with a rare free-agent deal by the Indians to return.
However, he needs to have success on offense as well as the leadoff man.
A home run Tuesday and two doubles Wednesday proved he is capable of providing power at the plate.
After all, he did lead the league with 20 doubles last season.
So we know the ability is there.
A List of Players Waiting for a Breakout Performance
The stars of the offense are Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes.
Eddie Rosario is supposed to be one, yet we have not seen much from him.
That leaves him in the group of players who have shown flashes without much consistent success.
Hernandez, Josh Naylor, Jordan Luplow, Amed Rosario, Jake Bauers, and even Harold Ramirez are still waiting for sustained success.
AMED ROSARIO WALKS THE @INDIANS OFF!!!!!!#OURCLE pic.twitter.com/tEdDwrSXHy
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 12, 2021
But as we always say, it is still early.
The two-game set against the Cubs was a perfect example of individuals needing to step up to salvage the game.
Ramirez had his solo home run Tuesday, but everyone expects him to be the hero on a daily basis.
It was Hernandez who broke out of the pack with a two-run home run.
Wednesday was all about Amed Rosario getting the walk-off, but Hernandez had his two doubles to set up the offense.
That is just the way this team operates in 2021.
A 20-14 record is the most important number of all as the Indians continue to compete with the Chicago White Sox for the top spot in the American League Central.
The Kansas City Royals no longer look like a real contender at a time when the Indians are just starting to get going.
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