Return to pivotal postseason locale for Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs will return to San Francisco this week to play the Giants. On their last visit to AT&T Park, they were busy winning the 2016 National League division series.

They did so with a stirring, 4-run comeback in the ninth inning of Game 4 to come away with a 6-5 victory and avoid a Game 5 showdown against Johnny Cueto at Wrigley Field.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon agreed that was the tipping point of the postseason, which ended in a World Series victory for his team.

"Absolutely," Maddon said. "I said it on the bench to somebody yesterday, I did not want to face Cueto in Game 5 here. I thought about that that whole game. Then we started to make the comeback.

"When it doesn't look good on that day and you have one game left, it's happened to me before in Tampa Bay. You start thinking about bullpen. You're utilizing too many bullpen guys too early. Who do you need to get rest with? You're thinking about all these different things.

"Johnny Cueto was causing those thoughts as was the way that game was trending. Fortunately we did come back because, honestly, I thought that was the tipping point in the whole postseason. The Giants (were) battle tested. They knew how to play in big games. So I did not want to have to face them in Game 5."

Go vest, young men:

The Cubs embarked on their western swing to San Francisco and Arizona wearing motorcycle vests as part of another themed trip.

"I love it," said Joe Maddon, who credited strength coach Tim Buss for the idea. "I think it's good. Anything you can do to unify the group is always a good thing.

"It's fun. And for the group that doesn't understand it, that's too bad, that you've forgotten what it's like to be a kid. It's always too bad when you've forgotten what it's like to be a kid.

"I don't know that we've had enough fun this year, quite frankly. And a lot of that comes with winning. That's just a natural residue of winning, that you have more fun. But what comes first? You have fun and then you win, whatever?

"I just think this is a good time for right now. We have American Legion Week coming up, also, when we get back from this road trip, and that's good timing with that, too. Listen, we're not going to win it if we don't really enjoy the day. You have to really enjoy yourself. You have to enjoy the day."

A nice surprise and honor:

Sunday was a special day for Iowa-bound soccer player Hailey Rydberg, of St. Charles North High School.

Rydberg is MVP of the 14th Annual PepsiCo Showdown, the largest high school soccer tournament in the U.S.

She was honored before Sunday's game, when Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks presented her with the 2016 PepsiCo Showdown MVP Belt in the dugout.

"Just so surprised and in shock," Rydberg said. "It's awesome."

Milestone hit:

Jason Heyward had 2 doubles in Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Nationals. The second was the 1,000th hit of his career.

"I guess it's cool to have that happen at your home ballpark and do it as a Cub," he said.

La Stella back up:

The Cubs recalled infielder Tommy La Stella from Class AAA Iowa and optioned pitcher Rob Zastryzny back to Iowa. That leaves the Cubs with 13 pitchers.

"Yeah, it is good having Tommy back," Joe Maddon said. "Rob Z didn't get to play, but two things happened: He really backed us up and permitted us (to use him) if something bad were to happen.

"The second that happened was that he improved his dancing skills. I thought from the first to the second home run, I thought they improved dramatically."

Maddon was referring to Cubs relief pitchers dancing in the bullpen when their teammates hit a home runs.