After getting on base for the fifth consecutive time to start a game on Sunday, Anthony Rizzo says he is "all-in" as the new lead-off hitter for the Chicago Cubs.
"It's crazy," Rizzo said. "It's weird. It's funny, but it's great. We've played better baseball, hit the ball better. It's good to finally win a road series. It's been a while."
Joe Maddon was looking for anything to spark Chicago's underachieving offense, but few could have thought Rizzo hitting first might do it. He has two home runs, a walk, a single and a double since being inserted into the leadoff role. Rizzo is hitting .429, highest among leadoff men with at least 20 plate appearances.
"It's coinciding with him swinging the bat well," Maddon said. "Plus, there's the added incentive of doing it. He likes doing it ... Right now, we're going to stay with it. I like it. I think it's played well. I think it's inspired the lineup."
The Cubs have scored 37 runs in the five games since Maddon made the change.