ST. LOUIS -- Anthony Rizzo led the Major Leagues in on-base percentage entering Thursday, but what Cubs hitting coach John Mallee is impressed with is the first baseman's approach with two strikes in the count.
The Major League average with two strikes is .180 and the OPS is .500; Rizzo was batting .220 with a .605 OPS heading into Thursday's series finale against the Cardinals. What's he doing?
"He rehearses his two-strike approach in [batting practice], and he does in the cage as well," Mallee said. "We have a term -- it's the 'same pattern, smaller movements.