Anthony Rizzo wants Cubs to develop winning attitude

Get ‘em on, get ‘em over and get ‘em indecipherable…

Anthony Rizzo was checking out the Cubs-Dodgers score on the Internet during his day off Monday, content with the knowledge the Cubs had opened up an early lead.

A few hours later, when he got back online, Rizzo discovered the Cubs had lost 7-6.

No big deal, of course. It’s just a meaningless spring training game. But in Rizzo’s mind, it’s important for the Cubs to establish a winning atmosphere now, hoping it pays off later.

“It’s something where we want to build that energy and have that all year ‘round,” he said. “Even though it was spring training, and even though it was the later innings of the game that we lost, it doesn’t matter. Some of those guys (playing) in later innings may be helping us down the stretch this year.”

If that’s the case, then shouldn’t Cubs hitters change their approach at the plate in spring training to win games?

Not exactly.

“The other day I had a runner on third and less than two outs,” Rizzo said. “In a normal situation, I’d be hacking away if I got a strike. That’s a little different right now (in spring). But I think as spring training goes along, you start getting more into the habit of getting that guy over, no matter where the pitch is and what not.

“Right now it’s more about getting yourself comfortable first, but at the same time, keeping that winning mentality.”