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You can expect all possible resources to be used by all the Cubs that will be expected in Thursday's match at Nationals Park to protect their lead in the Central League.
"We are in September," Anthony Rizzo said Wednesday night, before the Cubs leave Wrigley Field after a 5-1 defeat that reduced their lead to a game against the Brewers. "You find ways to get started. Just do what you need on that day to prepare for the game and you will discover it.
"Energy is where it needs to be. We are well placed to win this division. We just have to play baseball.
And play productive baseball. The Cubs' offense became funk after defeating Aaron Nola and the Phillies 8-1 on 2 September. Since then, their five-game lead has been reduced to one and Javier Baez has been blocked on 30 home runs and 100 RBIs.
"We are still in first place," said Baez. "I'm not worried about it. We know what we can do as a team. If we continue to play with (struggles), we will have pressure. We will continue to have pressure on us.
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"We have to go out and play. That's what I think. Nobody will beat us if we go out and play. "
Baez, like Rizzo, downplayed fatigue as a factor in offensive struggles. But if the Cubs and Brewers qualify for the playoffs and face off, the Cubs will have to face the southpaw Josh Hader, whom manager Craig Counsell has used wisely to win two wins at Wrigley Field.
Hader eliminated nine of the ten batters he faced, including Kris Bryant, Rizzo and Bryant twice, with a fastball of 97 mph.
"It has been huge for them and does it all year," said Baez. "If we do not make this adjustment against him, they will continue to bring him against us. It's hard. The way it launches and the way we hit a lot of powerful hitters in the lineup, it's hard to catch up.
"But we'll see what happens in the last two weeks or October, I guess."
The Brewers have now won seven of their last 11 games against the Cubs with a stronger team including Curtis Granderson and Mike Moustakas, as well as a healthy Hader.
"We have experience of being in the playoffs," Baez said. "This is where we need to control ourselves better. I hope we never have to face them in the playoffs. But if we do, we have experience.
Director Joe Maddon, Rizzo and Baez thanked the city of Chicago for helping the Cubs pass the hour of Friday's game against the Reds starting at 1:20 pm at 7:05 pm for players to rest after their zigzag adventure in Washington, DC.
"(But), we had a tough day (Thursday) in Washington," said Baez.
Twitter @MDGonzales
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