Chicago Cubs: Looking at the team’s heroes in the NLDS

Oct 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (left) celebrates on the field after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Rizzo

The performance put forward by the Cubs’ first baseman in the Division Series wasn’t quite what we’ve come to expect from the franchise cornerstone – in one regard, that is.

In the four games, Rizzo struck out four times in 14 at-bats, walking just one time – something very uncharacteristic of the left-handed-swinging slugger, who belted 31 homers and drove in 101 runs during the regular season.

Then, late in Game Four, it was all forgotten.

For the second-straight game, Rizzo connected against St. Louis reliever Kevin Siegrist, this time on an 0-2 count, giving Chicago a 5-4 advantage right after the Cardinals rallied to tie things up at two apiece.

His defense was stellar, as usual, and as one of the team’s undisputed leaders, it only made sense that it was he who clubbed what proved to be the game-winning blast.

While we can all look back at the series now fondly, Rizzo will need to be more consistent in the NLCS if the Cubs have any shot at ending their World Series drought.

Next: Making the most of limited opportunities