After launching a 453-foot, walk-off home run Thursday to culminate a dramatic 7-6 comeback victory over the Diamondbacks in his 1,000th career game, Anthony Rizzo offered a promising forecast for the Cubs.
"The (comeback) formula has been working for us, that's for sure," Rizzo said after following David Bote's two-run, game-tying homer with a big blow of his own to lift the Cubs to their major-league-leading 33rd come-from-behind triumph. "(But) the best is yet to come for our starting rotation."
Rizzo is keeping the faith despite the offense having to bail out Tyler Chatwood after his latest control fiasco. Chatwood gave up four runs on five hits with six walks in 4 2/3 innings, but his big issue was walking the first three hitters in the fifth before giving way to Brian Duensing, who allowed another walk before giving up a grand slam to Nick Ahmed.
Acquiring a major reinforcement now looms large with Tuesday's 3 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline approaching and the Cubs reportedly made a move Thursday evening to acquire four-time All-Star left-hander Cole Hamels of the Rangers.
Hamels, 34, attained much success in the National League with the Phillies, for whom he went 114-90 with a 3.30 ERA in 9 { seasons. His last game with the Phillies was a no-hitter against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 25, 2015.
Since then, Hamels is 38-21 with a 3.90 ERA for the Rangers. He a four-time All-Star, is 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA in 16 postseason starts and was the 2008 World Series MVP when he led the Phillies over the Rays, who were managed by Joe Maddon.
"He has been pretty good," Maddon said before the trade was reported. "He has pitched in some pretty big games against some teams I have been involved with. He has done very well.
"He's a great competitor. He has good stuff. He competes and knows what he's doing. I have to rank him as a pretty competent major-league left-handed pitcher."
As the Cubs face life without Kris Bryant, who was scheduled to undergo an MRI after being placed on the 10-day disabled list because of recurring pain in his left shoulder, Bote's value to them could become great enough to not include him in any deals for another a pitching upgrade.
Before hitting his home run off closer Brad Boxberger, Bote made a diving stop on the right-field grass with the bases loaded to rob David Peralta of a hit in the second. Bote now has been promoted from Triple-A Iowa five times and has responded with a .326 batting average while filling in capably at second and third base.
"I'm not on Twitter or anything like that for part of that reason," Bote said of being linked to any trade proposals. "I come to play. I don't hear or see or do anything (regarding a possible trade). It's something I can't control, so I just stay away from it."
Rizzo's homer marked his fourth career walk-off blast. He also collected his 600th and 601st career RBIs.
Rizzo is batting .442 in his last 12 games from the leadoff spot, and his homer snapped a streak of 26 games without one.
"Every at-bat I try to go up there and hit home runs," Rizzo replied sarcastically to a question from a persnickety radio reporter. "It's a good plan to have."
