If we’ve learned anything about the Cubs in the past few days, it’s how much duct tape, ingenuity, and faith it might take to keep an initial rotation intact, much less competitive as a 60-game season begins.
Which makes the progress of three-time All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo in the past few days especially important for the Cubs, who now appear to be confident of having their lineup in full force for Friday’s first game.
“It’s obvious, but I can’t say enough about him being in the lineup and our success that goes along with that,” manager David Ross said of the left-handed slugger who is second in Ross’ lineup behind Kris Bryant.
Rizzo, who has battled what has typically been an annual case of back swelling for the past week, passed his last test Tuesday, taking turns at batting against teammate Tyler Chatwood in a simulated game situation and He expects the final exhibition game to begin Wednesday night, against the Twins, save for a setback overnight.
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“I don’t want to put the cart before the horse,” said Ross, who plans to make the final decision after Rizzo re-evaluates Wednesday morning. “But he took some big shots, said he felt smart and doesn’t think things have a problem for him. [Twins] game.”
It’s difficult to overstate the value of an intact and productive Cubs lineup for the team’s hopes in a short season, especially for a team that already had its fingers crossed when it reached its pitching depth before the projected fourth starter, Jose Quintana, be sidelined with a thumb. injury.
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Add to that the fact that Jon Lester is behind the other pitchers in camp, pushing Chatwood from fifth to third in the rotation and leaving little or no room for further injury or underperformance.
If that raises the stakes on a healthy lineup for the Cubs, then it makes Rizzo’s return the second biggest news from summer training camp, second only to zero positive tests for COVID-19 among players since they started. admission tests.
“His resume speaks for itself,” Ross said. “And just what he represents about the at-bats we want to have. These guys made some strong comments in spring training about the at-bats we want to have as a team and what we want to represent, and Anthony is a big part of that. “
The Cubs ranked 20th in the majors last year in pitches per plate and struck out more than most teams, but were in the top 10 in both runs per game (5.02) and on-base percentage (.331). ).
Rizzo, one of the two Cubs who saw more than the league’s average PA shooting in 2019 (also Kyle Schwarber), is a key part of the lineup when it comes to all those teams’ stats.
He also led a team that is expected to have six former All-Stars in the lineup Friday with a .924 OPS last year.
“He sets the example. Set a tone, ”said Ross. “Is a great player; It is an All-Star. His energy has been missed on the bench.
Ross did not rule out using Rizzo in the role of designated hitter sometimes earlier in the season if he appears to need a half-day during the Cubs’ 17-game opening span over 17 days.
“You don’t want to take off a platinum glove from first base,” Ross said. “But if we have to, we will adjust.”
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