I used to love that show growing up. Every Wrigley Field day game from 1pm to the start of the game at 120pm, there it was. Harry Caray, Steve Stone, giving us that Cubs preview of that day’s game. They’d show some highlights or low lights from the previous game too. There would usually be an interview with a player. It was TV gold. I still try to catch as much pregame on either the TV or radio as I can today.
The big news of the day on Tuesday for the Cubbies, besides falling back under 500 the night before, was that the lead off man was changing again. Anthony Rizzo would be batting lead off for the Cubs on Tuesday night in New York. And the carousel continues…
Joe Maddon is not your orthodox manager; that’s why we love him. That’s also why he catches a lot of heat from time to time. He would have never lived down some of his decisions in the postseason had it not ended with a Cubs World Series Title. People still won’t let it go, and for those people, I say, LET IT GO. We won! If Joe wasn’t Joe in the past 2.5 years, we would NOT have won. Cut the guy some slack. Geez.
So the Kyle Schwarber experiment leading off did not work so well; I don’t blame the concept. I think eventually it may work, but not now. Schwarby is struggling; he’s battling through some stuff. Let him do it further down the lineup. If it gets to that point, maybe he goes back down for a while. Either way, this kid is going to be a big part of the future here; no, we’re not going to trade him.
Zobrist at the top of the lineup is a good idea too. I think Almora could eventually do it; maybe Jay for the games he starts. I do think we have options. I do not see a prototypical lead off guy, but nothing is typical of Joe Maddon’s managing style. Again, this is one of the reasons I love him.
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So, next up, was Anthony Rizzo. “Stupid move Joe!” is probably what some people said. And then Rizzo took the 2nd pitch of the game 461 feet out to center field. And then he drew a bases loaded walk in front of Happ’s grand salami. And then he doubled in a run. When it was all said and done, the Cubs offense woke up for the night. Was it due to Rizzo batting leadoff? Probably not. But it provided a spark; we’re looking for any of those right about now.
I imagine he’ll stay at lead off for a minute. When he has a bad game, when the Cubs lose, then people will talk crap. When they win, Joe is a genius. That’s how these things go; don’t we know better by now?
It’s a 162 game grind; teams have to find themselves, even teams that are basically intact coming off a World Series title. I have faith that they will find themselves; Joe and the guys will figure it out. Theo will add some resources. What will it all equate to at the end of 162? That’s why they play the games.
One for one for new leadoff man Anthony Rizzo. Ideal, no. Typical, no. Did it work? For Tuesday night in New York it did. Any way to get the job done. Go Cubs!
MK
The lead off man…loved watching that, too! Harry and Stone were a perfect pair.
Rizzo batting leadoff is definitely thinking outside that box. Joe is not afraid to do that and so far, Rizzo has been aWesome batting first. Unfortunately, the Cubs offense is so inconsistent this season. So many guys struggling. Zobrist hurt now. KB going from .300 to .260s. While the pitching is nowhere near last year, it has not been that bad. If the offense was better or at the very least, getting some hits with runners on, maybe the Cubs could start inching away from that .500 record. In the meantime, a spark is what is needed. Rizzo batting leadoff seems to have provided that so far. Will it continue? Hopefully, that spark will ignite a fire with this whole lineup. Keep trying Joe. No need to change who you are now. Look for the right mix and things will get going. GO CUBS GO!!!