You might want to scratch that part about Anthony Rizzo in my April 28 post. In the Cubs' last 11 games, Rizzo is batting .439 (18-for-41) to raise his average from .173 to .262.
To fill that out a bit, last night he tallied his fourth three-hit game in that span. Eight runs scored, 11 RBIs, seven doubles, three homers, three stolen bases, six walks and six Ks. A .521 on-base percentage and an .829 slugging percentage give him an OPS of 1.350. On the year, he's one behind Starlin Castro and David DeJesus for the team lead in runs scored (17 in 32 games), is second in hits (32) and leads in home runs (9), RBIs (32), walks (13, tied) and stolen bases (4, tied). He's played every inning so far and he doesn't turn 24 until August 8th. Theoretically his numbers will even out as he grows into veteran status, but even if he remains a hot-and-cold type of hitter, it would be a very good sign if he ever pops off a three-hit game to open a playoff series.
And how about Scott Feldman, following up a complete-game three-hitter with seven innings of scoreless, two-hit ball last night? He even tacked on an RBI single and scored a run. I classified the starting pitching the Cubs acquired over the winter as middle-rotation arms, but Feldman's last three outings have made him look like he could be a valuable piece in a short series.
The overall 12-20 record is nothing to shout about, but if you focus on what's going well, this could evolve into a turning-point developmental year.
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