Contreras doesn't think anger led to hot streak at plate
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras went 5-for-11 with 4 home runs at the plate in the previous three games.
The surge coincided with repeatedly getting hit by pitches early this season. But Contreras doesn't think the anger over getting beaned led to his hot streak at the plate.
"I don't think so," he said before Sunday's game. "I think that already stayed in the past and I'm a guy that always looks to improve myself and I'm a guy that is looking for a way to help the team win.
"I don't think that has something to do with the way I'm feeling at the plate right now. I'm just trying to control my emotions, be a leader and I played the way I've been playing this past week."
Contreras went on to give his version of what got him going offensively this week.
"I think my main focus right now is doing my homework," he said. "Studying the pitches and studying the sequences, and find some weaknesses on the pitcher. My mindset is not to try to do too much. Whenever I try to do too much, I start running over, I start chasing pitches out of the zone.
"But when I find myself doing less and keeping it simple, I drive the ball better to right center and left center. So my main focus is just to stay short to the ball and get my pitch and drive it."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls