Is Cubs' Baez suffering from lack of fan energy?
Even with a 16-8 record heading into Friday, the Cubs are still waiting for a couple of their big bats to get going.
Besides Kris Bryant hitting .177 and sidelined by a wrist injury, shortstop Javy Baez was batting .189 heading into the opener against the White Sox.
Before the game, manager David Ross was asked if the absence of fans and any sort of meaningful game atmosphere might be hurting Baez more than other players.
"I don't want to speak for him and put words in his mouth," Ross said. "I just would say from a (being) fan of his outside of being his manager, he's one of the most exciting players in the game and it feels like he feeds off the energy of fans and people and the moment.
"He seems to rise to the occasion whether it's a crazy slide or a big hit or a nice tag or the way he runs the bases, and can create havoc. I think the fans bring a lot of that to him and that could be something that's affecting his game."