Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki made his season debut Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers after missing the team’s first 11 games as he was rehabbing from a moderate oblique strain. And well, Suzuki is now on pace to hit 151 home runs in 2023.

Ian Happ had already left the yard off right-handed relief pitcher Andre Jackson in the eighth inning to give the Cubs some more breathing room after the Dodgers made it 3-2 in the seventh and then Suzuki crushed his first home run of the season, turning on a 95mph fastball that was up and in.

And boy did Suzuki get all of this one, sending it 406 feet to the left field bleachers.

Suzuki only went 1-for-5 in his first game back from the injured list, but he was right in the middle of the Cubs’ rampage against Jackson.

The Cubs scored five runs on six hits against Jackson in the final two innings, leading to an 8-2 win over the Dodgers.

Ian Happ Has Perfect Night

Fresh off his three-year contract extension, Ian Happ had one of, if not the best game of his career.

Happ had five total plate appearances against the Dodgers Friday night and he reached base all five times. He singled with two outs and nobody on in the first inning, hit an RBI-double in the third, walked in the fifth and then launched a home run to right field in the eighth.

Oh, but Happ wasn’t done because in the ninth inning, he added his second RBI-double. So close to hitting for the cycle.

Happ is now slashing .349/.481/.628 and has a 195 wRC+ through the first 12 games of the season.

Yan Gomes Has the Power and the Speed

The Cubs are not going to have a lot of offense from their catchers this season, so you’ll take whatever you can when they do produce and Yan Gomes had himself a game against the Dodgers.

Gomes blasted two home runs, the first off starter Noah Syndergaard and then another to leadoff the ninth inning against Andre Jackson.

Oh and how about Gomes also stealing second base in the third inning. He later scored on Ian Happ’s first double of the game.

Another fun fact, Gomes is perfect in eight stolen base attempts during his MLB career.

And speaking of stolen bases and incredible early paces, Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner swiped a bag late in the game in Los Angeles.

Hoerner is now a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases attempts this season in 12 games.

Justin Steele Shoves

Last, but certainly not least, Justin Steele was once again good for the Cubs in his third start of the season. The lefty only gave up three total hits, two of them solo home runs.

Steele walked one, but struck out eight batters in his seven innings of work against the Dodgers.

Steele and Marcus Stroman have each recorded three quality starts to begin the season for the Cubs.

That’s a pretty good 1-2 punch the Cubs have going for them at the top of their starting rotation.