Anthony Rizzo in the Two Hole Redux and Other Bullets

anthony rizzo featureThe Bullets are coming to you from the waiting room in a doctor’s office, where I am wearing one of those masks. The SARS masks. To the best of my knowledge, I don’t have SARS, but it’s an office policy that folks exhibiting cold or flu-like symptoms (as I am) must wear a mask while they wait. I guess it’s a fine policy, but I feel awfully silly, and I don’t care for the feeling of my own breath bouncing back into my face.

  • Although Anthony Rizzo is going to bat second today, Joe Maddon emphasized that he likes to try many things, and we’ll see guys in a variety of spots throughout the Spring (Cubs.com). As you may recall, Rizzo was put in the two-hole for a short stretch by Dale Sveum back in late 2013, and he didn’t care for it. His stated reasons, though, had to do with preconceptions about what the “two” batter is supposed to be – slap the ball, move a guy along, etc. In reality, the two hole hitter should simply be the best all-around hitter on the team – good OBP, good power, good approach. That’s Rizzo in spades, and hopefully Maddon has better luck communicating that angle to Rizzo if he’s going to try him out there in the two hole more than once. (Check out this piece out of San Francisco last year, which addresses the issue of why you’d want a great hitter – not a slap and bunt guy – hitting second.)
  • For those who don’t know, the theory behind batting your second batter in the two hole, rather than third or first or fourth or whatever, is that it is the spot that combines the following things in the most mathematically efficient way: (1) more plate appearances for your better hitters, (2) utilizing on base skills for middle order hitters, and (3) utilizing power by hitting with runners on base and/or by creating scoring opportunities with extra-base hits and fewer than two outs. The spot is not for providing “productive outs.” It’s the spot for a guy to just be himself: have good at bats, hit for power, and get on base.
  • All of this, by the way, would be especially true on days when Joe Maddon opts to bat the pitcher 8th.
  • A Q&A with Kris Bryant from Jesse Rogers wherein it is revealed that Rizzo wants to be like Bryant. If the opposite happens, I think we’ll all be happy.
  • Joe Maddon speaks with Patrick Mooney on how mechanical hitting has become, and how that’s not necessarily a good or easy thing.
  • When it comes to velocity in Spring, you might hear different takes on the importance, depending on whom you ask (Cubs.com). For my part, I’d say that it depends on the pitcher a little bit, because some guys build their velocity up early in the year, and most pitchers are not hitting their high mark in Spring. A huge, huge drop from last year to Spring, however, can be a modest concern.
  • We discussed the Cubs’ 41.4% playoff odds, per FanGraphs, yesterday, and Jeff Sullivan notes that it is the biggest swing for any team in baseball from last year. Probably fair, right?
  • Bruce Miles on the Cubs’ new leadoff man, Dexter Fowler, who has embraced that role.
  • I’m not sure why the Miller Park thing has blown up since Crane Kenney mentioned it yesterday on the radio (the Cubs considered playing a season at Miller Park to speed up the Wrigley renovation). Kenney mentioned it back at the Convention, and it was fully-addressed then: the Cubs considered it, met with the Brewers about the logistics, and ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit to play a year away from Wrigley. As convenient as it is to harp on it now that there are delays, can you really imagine the fallout from playing this year – this turning point year – in Milwaukee? There’s no way the Cubs would pull in as much revenue (not just from attendance and concessions, but ad revenue – how do you even figure that out?), and what if the Cubs made the playoffs? And how many Wrigleyville businesses would fold?
  • The Cubs have added a “B” game to the schedule (think of it like a fake Spring Training game (so … fake squared?)) on March 19 against the Angels (Mark Gonzales).
  • Last night, Michael wrote about the Cubs’ spending this offseason, which was tops in MLB if you count Joe Maddon. Which I do. So the Cubs are tops.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

    On Friday, the San Diego Padres (2-1) take on Jorge Soler and the San Francisco Giants (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to find out how to watch the San Diego-San Francisco matchup...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) host Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-St. Louis matchup below.When is Dodgers vs. Cardinals and...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The New York Yankees (1-0), led by Juan Soto, visit Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1) at 8:10 PM ET on Friday.Find out how to watch the Houston-New York matchup below.When is Astros vs. Yankees and when does it...

    How to Watch Rays vs. Blue Jays: Live Stream or on TV

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) visit Yandy Diaz and the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:50 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Tampa Bay-Toronto matchup below.When is Rays vs. Blue Jays and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    more cubs news