Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is better known as a power hitter. But Saturday, the club gave him a chance to bat leadoff in a split-squad game.
"I think I'm your prototypical leadoff hitter," Rizzo said. "I'm going to try to see some pitches, get on base. We don't steal much on this team anyway."
Rizzo, who normally bats third in the order, gave the lineup a breath of fresh air, according to manager Joe Maddon.
"It kind of freshens them up a bit," Maddon said. "The big thing is to protect him, and if you don't, he's not going to get pitched to."