There have been good and bad stretches to the Chicago Cubs season. The team holds a pretty favorable lead in the N.L. Central despite playing some awful baseball over the last month. You can credit Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo for getting the team where it needs to be, as the two have become baseball’s best duo.
There are quite a few pairings in baseball that give teams a nice one-two punch. However, none are as dynamic and charismatic as “Bryzzo“. The two are the talk of the Chicago sports world, stealing headlines away from those pesky White Sox and other sports as well.
In a city that’s experienced many championship’s, Cubs fans simply haven’t felt that excitement. Yet, as the second half of the season rolls on, many are talking World Series for the beloved Cubbies. And again, none of it would be possible without Bryant and Rizzo.
Two All-Star corner infielders, Bryant and Rizzo are part of a resurgence at Wrigley Field. The two combined to hit just over 40 home runs before the All-Star break. They have singlehandedly brought the excitement back to the ballpark.
While fans are surely digging the big statistics from the duo, both Bryant and Rizzo seem to be really into each others numbers as well. It’s competitive business between the two, as they both try to top each other in home runs, RBI’s, e.t.c. Bryant recently stated to ESPN.com writer, Jesse Rogers, why the two feel the need to play a game of one-upmanship with the other.
“It’s just a constant need to be better, and when you see someone close to you have that success, it pushes you to want to join them and help the team.”
That’s why Bryant and Rizzo have succeeded for the Cubs. Every home run, RBI, base hit, and walk pushes the other to do better. They are setting an example for the rest of the team to follow. Come October that’s going to make all the difference.
Follow Daniel James Gentile on twitter @dgentleman9288