Chicago Cubs: Lookout Bryzzo, here comes Balmorez

Chicago Cubs dinger-partnership “Bryzzo” has been silent in April. However, virtuoso Javier Baez and slugger Albert Almora are picking up the slack.

Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez and center fielder Albert Almora have brought real firepower to the top of the Cubs lineup. Reminiscent of the “Bryzzo” combination of recent years, perhaps we are seeing the establishment of a new Cubs partnership: “Balmorez”.

Fans may be getting an early peek at what might be a season-long hitting frenzy between the two Cubs.

Bruce Levine of 670 WSCR talked to Cubs skipper Joe Maddon about the hot play of the top of the lineup.

"“They have been doing the right things,” Maddon said. “We have been very honest with them about what they needed to do. It is just about staying in your right zone versus right-handed pitching. This is not really complicated. Most of the time for young hitters to avoid the platoon status, they must make adjustments.”"

Dynamic duo doing it all for Cubs

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Since the spring both batters have been tooling their swings and making fine adjustments to improve their execution. The results, clearly, have followed. Both players recently put together 11-game hitting streaks. They enter this series with the Rockies flirting with .300 batting averages.

This season, both players have been more disciplined at the dish than we’ve seen them. Baez leads the National League with 26 RBI. That’s the best month of April ever for a Cubs hitter aside from Derrek Lee‘s 28-RBI month of April 2005.

As for Almora, he’s done it all – answering the leadoff call and providing Gold Glove-caliber defense on a nightly basis out in center. But, still, there are going to be ups and downs for this talented tandem.

"“Both Albert and Javy have been. They will still chase (slider outside) on occasion, which you must expect. For the most part, as the count gets deeper, you are not seeing that all-out hack. You are seeing the ball go the other way. You are seeing the ball getting moved. Those guys are hearing the message and are prime examples.”"

Next: Can the rotation maintain its recent level of dominance?

A new Cub’s partnership

“Balmorez”may be just the thing the Cubs need, hitting momentum. The budding partnership has been getting hot as of late, both contributing hits in three of the last four games against Milwaukee. Almora told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers he is quite aware of Baez’ growing legend and is using that momentum to support his partner.

"“We’ve all seen Javy [and] his potential,” Almora said. “I’m just glad I can be on base for him or on the top step ready after he comes back in after hitting a homer. We’re just feeding off each other.”"

“Balmorez” could be the heat that’s needed to keep the team rolling at Wrigley as the frosty Colorado Rockies (15-14) head into Chicago for a three-game series.

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