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It’s been a historically slow start to the season for the Chicago Cubs, who currently sit in last place in the NL Central at 6-9. They hold the league’s worst batting average at .192. Things picked up a bit over the weekend with a big 13-run performance on Saturday, so there are some signs of life. Another positive sign we saw is from Anthony Rizzo – who looks like he’s picking up steam in a hurry.
Rizzo currently holds a five-game hit streak, had his first multi-home run game on Sunday night and is hitting .409 over the last seven days. It’s been awesome to see the first baseman get it going – especially with everything on the line this season, the final year of his deal.
With the low-ball extension offer Rizzo received at the beginning of the year, this season has become an audition for his next contract. Being offered four years and $60 million was insulting to the face of this organization. Let’s hope that lit a fire under him and we get a Rizzo we haven’t seen before, in a good way of course.
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With Kris Bryant showing signs of his former dominance, if Rizzo can piggyback off of that success, this offense will not have the issues we’ve seen to start this season. It’s very intriguing to see these guys’ potential coming into form and being the 3-4 punch we know and love.
The best news about Rizzo is that his favorite month is coming and that is May. This is historically his best month, where he has batted .281 with an OPS of .908. April is ironically his worst month where he bats .241. If he can keep the foot on the gas for the rest of the month, we could be looking at one of the best starts to his career.
I am extremely excited for our first baseman. He deserves to be right at the top of the highest paid first baseman list and whether or not that’s with the Cubs, I want that for him.
The best numbers of his career came in 2016 where he batted .292 with an on-base percentage of .385 and OPS of .928. He finished fourth in MVP voting, made the All-Star Game and brought home a Platinum Glove and a Silver Slugger – not to mention a World Series ring.
Cubs: Anthony Rizzo is going to prove he’s worth every penny
Tom Ricketts has lit the fire under Rizzo and I expect our first baseman to put together a career year and show this organization he is worth every penny. I am disappointed in the front office for treating him like they did, but if it turns out to be the motivating factor behind a big season am I here for it.
Rizzo is on the verge of breaking out and he has favorable pitching matchups this week. Let’s hope he can provide the spark and this team can start winning more games.