Javier Baez builds excitement for battle with Fernando Tatis Jr.

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez is hyping up series against Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres.

The Chicago Cubs have been on a roll as of late, as they won eight of their last 10 games entering Memorial Day. On Monday, they began their three-game set against the San Diego Padres. The first game went in the Cubbies’ favor, as they won 7-2.

Following the game, Cubs shortstop Javier Baez mentioned that he was excited to play the Padres and stud shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., while dropping a rather obvious statement about the team’s expensive infield. Baez’s quote comes courtesy of ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

Javier Baez hypes up series against Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres

The Padres infield is stacked and comes at a premium price. Tatis recently signed on to a $340 million contract, third baseman Manny Machado is inked to a $300 million deal, Eric Hosmer is earning a total of $144 million.

Besides talking about San Diego’s infield, Baez mentions, via Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, that the crowd of over 24,000 fans at Wrigley Field on Monday made it feel like a playoff game.

Baez was the star in Monday’s contest. After Wil Myers’ RBI single in the first inning, Baez gave Chicago a lead they would not surrender with his two-run homer in the bottom of the third frame. Baez was not done mashing home runs, as he hit a solo shot in the ninth to help secure Chicago’s 7-2 victory.

Meanwhile, Tatis went one-for-three on the day with a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Cubs versus Padres sells on its own, but Baez versus Tatis in a battle of shortstops is something baseball fans will be gawking over. The two teams meet again on Tuesday at 8:05 p.m. ET.