Chicago Cubs decide to give a day off to Anthony Rizzo – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, August 29, decided to give a day off to their first baseman Anthony Rizzo, as the player has difficulty regaining his form. Rizzo was given time to work with hitting coach James Rowson, a decision the Cubs took after some deliberation.
With the slump that the Cubs have witnessed recently, Anthony Rizzo also has not quite been able to hit the way he had initially been doing; coming across as a prolific young hitter. He remained impressive enough to win National League Rookie of the Month in July but that spark is now conspicuously missing.
In his last 11 games, however, there is a lot left to be desired. Rizzo has had a .211 average with 8-for-38. As the offence fails to live up to expectations, Rizzo’s failure is also a serious concern for the Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs' manager Dale Sveum had his perspective on the inability of the player to perform as strongly as he had been.
"He's not feeling right at the plate and it's snowballing a little bit now, so you want to stop that from snowballing any further and let him kick back and work with [Rowson] today and get things ironed out," Cubs' manager Dale Sveum said.
When he received the NL Rookie of the Month in July, he was widely cheered and congratulated. Back then, he was batting .330 in 25 games with 17 RBIs and seven homers to his credit. But in the last 11 games, he has only been able to hit three RBIs with one double.
The team manager has yet to figure the reason out and said, “Why that happens is a million-dollar question in hitting -- why all of a sudden you're on top of the world and the next day you feel like you're on ice skates in the batter's box.”
With .283 average this season, the player still has his attention occupied as the fans look to him as an effective and prolific hitter. With the regular season nearing an end, the Cubs will certainly be looking forward to a better finish as far as this young player is concerned.
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