Rizzo, Cubs show signs of offensive rhythm

NEW YORK -- It's only been two games, so any long-term success hasn't been determined just yet, after Cubs manager Dale Sveum dropped Anthony Rizzo from third to fifth in the lineup, hoping that would get him going at the plate.

Rizzo went 3-for-4 on Friday, and then 1-for-2 with three walks -- two intentional -- on Saturday. Chicago won both of those games. Rizzo's success at the plate, though, has coincided with the Cubs' lineup finally putting some runs on the board.

Rizzo's three hits on Friday were a season high.

Still, Rizzo said he doesn't care about where he hits in the lineup.

"It really doesn't make a difference to me," Rizzo said. "Whether I'm hitting first, second, third, ninth -- it doesn't matter to me."

Regardless of where he hits, Rizzo said having confidence is the most important part. And that's something he said is helping the entire lineup right now.

The Cubs have given themselves chances to score, but they have still missed some key opportunities. In Saturday's 5-2 win over the Mets, Chicago left 16 runners on base.

Still, for a team that had been struggling to find consistency at the plate, the 20 hits and 11 runs the Cubs have had in the last two games show that Chicago could be falling into some semblance of consistent offense.

"I think we're giving ourselves more opportunities to score runs," said Rizzo. "We had a lot of guys on base yesterday. If you keep giving yourself opportunities, eventually you're going to come through."