Cubs' Anthony Rizzo: 'We Haven't Proven Anything Yet'
By Chris Emma--
PITTSBURGH (CBS) -- With first pitch of the NL wild-card game nearing, Anthony Rizzo was wary of the scene back home in Chicago.
Local taverns are filling with fans. The excitement has been building up to first pitch in Pittsburgh. The city of Chicago is ready for its Cubs to make a playoff push. As a new Blackhawks fan, Rizzo wants to bring the same kind of excitement.
"Just seeing what the city was like when (the Blackhawks) won, it's where you wanted to be," Rizzo said.
Rizzo looked the part of a Joe Maddon player during pregame, having fun throwing pitches and talking to teammates.
Asked multiple times before the game what he wants from his players, Maddon emphasized he doesn't want to change anything.
"Just go play like you've been playing — mentally unencumbered," Maddon said.
The Cubs can feel confident with their ace, Jake Arrieta, taking the mound. Arrieta has a historically low 0.75 ERA since the All-Star break and the same 0.75 mark against the Pirates this season.
However, Pittsburgh is sending out its own ace, Gerrit Cole, who has enjoyed success against the Cubs.
According to Maddon, the game will be one by whose pitching is better, making the concept of a one-game playoff unfair in proving a worthy wild-card winner.
But the pressure isn't getting to the young Cubs one bit. Rizzo knows Chicago is eager for first pitch, but he's not pressing -- just ready to go.
"We have a lot to prove," Rizzo said. "We haven't proven anything yet. We are young, we have a lot of talent, but we have to go out there and take it."
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