Cubs’ Javier Baez commits rare, back-to-back errors against Cardinals (Video)

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez doubled up on embarrassing run-scoring errors against the Cardinals on back-to-back pitches.

It was not a good night for shortstops in the MLB on Monday.

Luis Guillorme committed three errors for the New York Mets while stepping in for Francisco Lindor. Johnny Bench blasted the Cincinnati Reds for not going out and getting a shortstop.

Then Javier Baez managed to commit two errors on back-to-back pitches as the Chicago Cubs faced the St. Louis Cardinals.

That’s a yikes on top of a yikes.

Errors happen. No player can be perfect all the time, but Baez is too good of a player to follow up one error with another like that. His two gaffes allowed two runs to score directly and extended the fourth inning. The Cardinals piled on more runs while taking a 5-0 lead. For a team trying to get back in the groove, those are devastating mistakes.

Javier Baez committed back-to-back errors against the Cardinals

That’s not the look Baez will want as he works out a possible extension with the Cubs, either.

The two-time All-star is batting .244/.288/.492. He leads the majors in strikeouts and has already committed a career-high 17 errors this season. Those stats won’t help his case if he wants to maximize the money in an extension to stay in Chicago.

Maybe the possibility of a deal is in his head. Whatever it is that’s causing his defensive mistakes, he needs to sort it out quickly.

The Cubs looked capable of making a run at the NL Central earlier this season, but a collapse before the All-Star break has them nine games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The team just traded Joc Pederson to the Atlanta Braves and more trades may be on the way before the trade deadline as they look to the future.