Since joining the team on a one-year, $17.5 million deal in the offseason, Cody Bellinger has been nothing short of magnificent for the Cubs.

He leads Chicago with a .310 batting average, 26 home runs and 96 RBI in what has been a resurgent season. Bellinger is also one of three players in the MLB — Ronald Acuña and Freddie Freeman the others — to have a batting average over .310, slugging percentage over .500 and over 20 stolen bases. Bellinger has struggled since his MVP year in 2019, but he has bounced back with the Cubs in an elite way.

The Cubs star also appreciates playing in meaningful games down the stretch.

“It’s definitely harder knowing what’s on the line,” Bellinger told Taylor McGregor before Thursday’s game. “At the end of the day, it’s just another baseball game, and we’re doing everything we can to prepare for the game today. We’re going to go out there and give it our best shot.”

Though he hasn’t had time to reflect on his 2023 season yet, Bellinger is happy with his consistency over the past few months, saying, “I was able to be that consistent player I knew I could be.”

Bellinger also said having a positive mindset helped him this season.

“This game is a negative game, a challenging game,” Bellinger said. “You have to surround yourself with the right people who have your back and always continue to pump positive thoughts into your mind.”

For the full interview between Bellinger and Taylor McGregor on Cubs Live!, check out the video above.