Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo kicking it up a notch so far in 2019

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has heated up early in 2019 as he looks to fight off a bevy of competition within the National League Central.

We all know about the influx of competition that came into the National League Central this past offseason – all of which only make things tougher for the Chicago Cubs. Of all the notable moves within the division, the St. Louis Cardinals deal to acquire Paul Goldschmidt sticks out the most.

This move added to the repertoire of top-tier first basemen in the division. Adding the six-time All-Star to the mix alongside 2018 All-Star Jesus Aguilar, budding star Josh Bell and longtime mainstays, Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo, this division arguably boasts the best group of first basemen in all of baseball.

With the star-studded group at this position, there’s really an unsung competition on who the best really is. Fans of each team will tell you that they have the best first baseman in the division, but it’s tough to say. With the added competition at first base this year, Rizzo has found motivation, and taken his game to the next level here in 2019, showing why he should be considered the best in the central.

Chicago Cubs: Some extra motivation for Rizzo in 2019

As if he needed it, Rizzo now has a bit of extra pep in his step to remain the leader at his respective position within the Central. With talks from fans on the streets saying they’d take  Votto or Goldy over him, three-time All-Star is out to prove a point to not only the rest of the division but to the baseball world.

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Playing half the season against his division counterparts who have combined for 13 All-Star appearances and one MVP award should light a fire under Rizzo. Along with those accolades, Bell, the one competitor to Rizzo that doesn’t contribute to any of those, is hitting .330 with 18 bombs and 53 RBI to start the season, all top-six numbers among all Major League hitters.

On a Cubs team that has been arguably the most up-and-down team in baseball to this point, having Rizzo kick his game up a notch has been a bright spot.

People are motivated by many things in life and sometimes competition can bring out the best in us. We’ve seen Rizzo’s fiery-competitive nature first hand going back to his famous, “Respect me!” line in the 2017 NLDS against the Nationals, so we know that he gets motivated when he doesn’t get the love he deserves.

Having this star power at first base in the NL Central will continue to prove to be a great thing for Rizzo and when the Cubs ultimately hit their stride this year, I think we are going to see the team’s unofficial captain at the forefront of it all.