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Levine: Will Anthony Rizzo's Hard Work Pay Off With National League MVP?

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- As the Cubs won another improbable game to run their winning streak to a season-high five in a row Friday, a case is being made on a daily basis by first baseman Anthony Rizzo as the front-running  National League MVP candidate in 2015.

At the team's annual Cubs Convention in January, the brash Rizzo was the first to predict a NL Central title for his team. While the Cardinals have gotten off to an early lead with a hot start, the Cubs are confident after improving to 20-15 with a wild 11-10 win over the Pirates in 12 innings.

"We had scored throughout the day to get ahead," Rizzo said. "When they scored in the ninth (to tie),we just kept fighting put together the winning run."

On Friday, a 12th-inning pop-up to right field by Matt Szczur turn into the game-winning hit when Pittsburg's Gregory Polanco tripped going after the ball. It also gave more credence to the Wrigley magic occurring daily at Clark and Addison.

"I couldn't believe it," said Szczur, who hit an identical pop-up in the ninth inning with the bases loaded that turned into an inning-ending double play when Starlin Castro was thrown out at the plate. "I couldn't believe it. I crossed first base and said, 'Oh, thank God.'"

Leading the charge in the season's early going has been Rizzo, who after 35 games is in the conversation as the league's best player. He's in the top 10 in nine different offensive departments. He's also leading the league in on-base percentage and is fifth in slugging.

After a hot start, the Dodgers' Adrian Gonzales has been the top hitter in the league. Rizzo has been making his case with a total five-tool approach. He is hitting .387 in his current eight-game hitting streak.

The heady approach Rizzo incorporates has evolved over the past two seasons. He has become an expert at handling left-handed pitching, as he's hitting close to .500 against southpaws. That is the best lefty-against-lefty average in both leagues.

The aggressive Rizzo stands virtually on the inside batter's box line, daring pitchers to hit him. This method takes away the breaking ball of lefty-on-lefty matchups. Unafraid of the ball hitting him, Rizzo has been hit by a pitch 11 times, the most in baseball.

Working extensively in the offseason with a personal trainer, Rizzo has challenged himself to excessive workouts daily, hours before game days at Wrigley. For night games, Rizzo meets his trainer at 10 a.m. for running and strength-training sessions lasting 60 to 75 minutes. While most players are still in bed, Rizzo works toward self-excellence.

The extra training has had an impact on Rizzo's speed and endurance. He has seven stolen bases in nine attempts. That number already exceeds his best major league single-season total.

All's well in Wrigleyville for Rizzo and Co. The Cubs have recorded their first five-game winning streak since June 2014. They are now 12-8 at home this season.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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