Sept. 10--Rookie slugger Kris Bryant was going to pinch hit had the Chicago Cubs put the tying run on base in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 4-3 loss at St. Louis.
But the situation didn't materialize, and Bryant was able to receive a rest day before facing the likelihood of playing the remaining 24 games.
Manager Joe Maddon gave Dexter Fowler a break for a game during the Cardinals series, and he hinted he may try to give a rest to rookie shortstop Addison Russell, who has played in 119 games in his first major-league season.
But biggest challenge for Maddon, however, might be finding the right time to rest first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who hit an RBI double in the first inning on Wednesday and has driven in 37 runs in his last 39 games.
"There are really no tough matchups for him," Maddon said. "If he really needed a day (off) ... But you saw the plays he's made at first base, the hits, all that stuff is important to us.
"That's the one position we don't have another replacement who can play like him. But if we needed to do that, we'll do that."
Rizzo, who is batting .285 with 29 home runs, 88 RBIs and a .392 on-base percentage, has played in all but one of the Cubs' 138 games.
