Defense was supposed to be the calling card for the Cubs in 2024.

For parts of this season, that hasn’t been the case — except for Monday night.

The Cubs flashed the leather in their series-opening 3-1 win over Milwaukee at Wrigley Field.

Michael Busch started it in the 2nd inning, as he made a nice diving stop to end the frame and keep Joey Ortiz off the bases. An inning later, Dansby Swanson made a slick play at short to end the frame and stop a bases-loaded threat.

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Busch shined again in the 4th. With the bases loaded and one out, Brice Turang hit a sharp grounder to first. Busch fielded the ball and — knowing turning two would be difficult — fired a perfect throw to Miguel Amaya at home for the second out.

“The progress that he’s made defensively to me from the start of the start of spring training to where we’re at now has been fun to watch for sure,” Counsell said after the game. “He’s taken a couple of really big steps forward and turned himself into — what’s been these last 50 or so games — a really good first baseman.”

Miles Mastrobuoni would end the rally, snaring a 106.5-mph grounder from William Contreras at the hot corner. Mastrobuoni made another nice play at third to open the 5th and get Christian Yelich out. Porter Hodge made a tricky play in the 8th, fielding a comebacker to the left of the mound and throwing out the speedy Jackson Chourio for the second out.

Watch all of the plays in the video above.