Playing for October, Cubs preach 'next guy jumps in' mantra with Rizzo, Baez out
As if the Chicago Cubs weren't fighting an uphill battle already, the heart and soul of the team, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, is out indefinitely with an ankle sprain -- and it couldn't come at a worse time of the season. With the Cubs in a dogfight to make the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year, Rizzo's presence will be missed in all facets of the team.
"It's going to be tough to be without Anthony for a while here," team president Theo Epstein said on Monday afternoon. "He's so important to everything we do, on the field and off the field."cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale
Shortstop Javier Baez has been out with a thumb injury, but Rizzo might be the bigger loss. He's integral to everything Cubs, from leading off, to two-strike hitting, to the bunt defense they incorporate -- that's where he got hurt -- to simply being the face that meets the media before and after games. For comparison, Baez hasn't even commented on his injury since being diagnosed with a hairline fracture, whereas Rizzo was at his locker to discuss the bad news on Monday.
"It's throbbing but I keep my mind in better spirits and try to be in as good a mood as I can," he said. "Every year isn't going to be 2016. You have ups and downs. Everyone in this locker room is fully capable of carrying a heavy load at all times."cheap nfl jerseys china nike
As much as the team is hopeful for a quick recovery, the history of moderate ankle sprains doesn't scream "a few days," or even a couple of weeks.
"In the meantime you just have to plan that he's not going to be there," manager Joe Maddon said. "You have to get the guys ready and get them indoctrinated in these positions. I really believe our guys will rally around this moment. We have different options to play over there."
It's true. The team has better defensive options at first base than one might think, but Rizzo was the best leadoff hitter on the team this season. Chicago was terrible from that spot in the order -- until he took over recently. So where do the Cubs turn, at first base and leadoff, to help keep their playoff streak alive?
