Cubs: 1 thing we learned from Opening Day loss to Pirates

The Chicago Cubs are not going to win games without helping Anthony Rizzo in the batters box.

The Chicago Cubs are entering an all-important season due to the important pieces set to hit free agency at season’s end. But, that was the least of Cubs fans worries right now, as they wanted to see their team in action for what could be one last ride. Luckily, they were facing the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day. Surely that is an easy win, right?

High hopes were quickly dashed on Thursday, as the Cubs lost 5-3 to the Pirates. If there was one takeaway from this showing, it’s that first baseman Anthony Rizzo needs more help from his teammates in the batters box.

Cubs: Chicago will not win games if Anthony Rizzo is the only batter accumulating hits

Is it too early to say Rizzo, one of the aforementioned impending free agents, proved his worth to the team? Yes, because there are still 161 games remaining on the schedule. But he is the only Cubs player in the starting lineup to record a hit against Pittsburgh. Maybe the Cubs should have upped their contact extension offer prior to Opening Day?

In the bottom of the first inning, Rizzo laced a line drive double to right field. The only other hit came from bench player Eric Sogard, who entered in relief of pitcher Rex Brothers in the fifth-inning. Sogard, like Rizzo, laced a double to right field in the bottom of the eighth inning. Interestingly, the Cubs managed to get all three runs on sacrifice flies from outfielder Joc Pederson, catcher Wilson Contreras and Rizzo. Other than that, it was a quiet day in the office for the Cubs offense, who happen to have two other superstars in the lineup in Javier Baez and Kris Bryant. All in all, the Cubs struck out 13 times and were walked on four occasions.

Beside the lack of hits, the Cubs pitching staff did not do many favors for the team, as they managed to walk 11 Pirates batters in their home opener.

As mentioned earlier, the Cubs still have a ton of games remaining on the docket to turn things around offensively. But, this was far from the grand debut that Cubs fans needed to feel confident about the team’s potential in 2021.