Maddon, Chicago Cubs ready to take on expectations
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Those familiar with the Boston Red Sox know there is plenty of drama surrounding that ballclub.
The saying goes that the Red Sox don't play 162 games a year; they play 162 seasons.
It started getting that way around the Chicago Cubs last season. Every victory seemed to assure a path to the World Series. Every loss meant doom was just around the corner.
Expect those feelings to increase this season.
The Cubs get things going for real Monday night as they open the 2016 regular season against the American League's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Reigning Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta will pitch for the Cubs against Garrett Richards.
Coming off a 97-win season and appearance in last year's National League championship series, the Cubs know it will be a big deal whether they are 1-0 or 0-1 after Opening Day.
"It's nice to be in that spotlight; we've come a long way to get there," said first baseman and team leader Anthony Rizzo, who has been a Cub through good times and bad. "Tomorrow there's going to be a ton of Cubs fans here, and we appreciate that support.
"It's one game, but then again, it's not just one game. So we've got to come out ready to go."
Rizzo made his comments Sunday before the Cubs tuned up one final time with an exhibition game against the Angels at Angel Stadium.
The mantra during spring training for the Cubs was "embrace the target," referring to the target of getting to and winning the World Series as well as the target that will be squarely on the Cubs' backs this season.
Manager Joe Maddon opens his second year with the Cubs, and he knows the feeling and the vibe will be different on this Opening Night as opposed to last year.
"Last year it was having to get the program in place, and people had to see things to believe things," Maddon said. "I believe things almost automatically. I believe you will see things. We really didn't kick it into gear until around the all-star break, when it really took off.
"So I think the difference this year is that we're better able to, hopefully, put the foot down a little bit sooner because of the experience of last year, plus the additions (to the team)."
One of those additions is second baseman Ben Zobrist, a native of downstate Eureka, Illinois, and a free-agent signing this past winter.
"That's exciting to me," Zobrist said of playing for the Cubs. "That's one of the biggest challenges that brought me here. For me, that's what's a little bit different for this year. I get a chance to play for the home-state team, try to chase a championship here.
"Since I was able to be a part of that last year in Kansas City, it just makes me that much more thirsty for going back for more. There are other guys in this clubhouse who have done it before, too, but no one's done it in Chicago. That's what makes this team hungry and thirsty for a championship here."
As he has all spring, Maddon repeated Sunday to bring on the expectations.
"Our goal in spring training was to be well and be ready," he said. "I definitely believe that we're ready. Just put yourself in my position. I talk about the word 'trust' a lot. I really trust our players. They have to trust me, but I definitely trust them, meaning that when you talk about pressure and expectations, it's spread out, among the whole group.
"It's not just on one guy. We have so many good players here who have been through the baseball wars before, where they've been very successful, too.
"We're going to have our rough moments. There's no doubt in my mind it's going to occur. But I think we have the ability mentally and physically to fight through those moments.
"If you factor in everything - experience, talent level, the motivation of the group, because a lot of them want to be part of the group to be the first team to win the World Series for the Cubs in a long, long time - there are so many good things that can repel pressure and expectations."