This might feel like a playoff atmosphere, but Cubs aren't pushing it with Anthony Rizzo's sore back

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MILWAUKEE – As much as it felt like a playoff atmosphere this weekend at Miller Park – three sellout crowds, Cubs fans booing Ryan Braun, two one-run games in a tight division race – it’s still only the end of July.

With that in mind, Anthony Rizzo’s sore upper back forced the Cubs to rest their All-Star first baseman against the Milwaukee Brewers during their final game before the July 31 trade deadline.

“There’s no reason to push him right now,” manager Joe Maddon said before Sunday’s 4-2 win gave the Cubs a 2.5-game lead in the National League Central. “After the game last night, (he was) a little bit stiff and sore. We’ve had it before with him, so day off tomorrow, hopefully by Tuesday. And if not, more than likely by Wednesday, but we want to call it ‘day to day’ right now.”

Backup rookie catcher Victor Caratini – who began his professional career as an infielder in the Atlanta Braves organization and played some first base within the Cubs system – started in place of Rizzo and made his first career big-league home run the game-winner in the seventh inning.   

This is essentially a recurring issue for Rizzo, who dealt with a sore back in spring training and has managed it throughout the season with the training staff. He had back problems last season and at least as far back as 2014.

“This is different, but we’ve had this a few times this year where it just kind of grabs,” said Rizzo, who felt something on Saturday during his first on-deck swing. “It’s been grabbing and we’ve controlled it. This was just a little more extreme.”

“That’s why it didn’t surprise me,” Maddon said. “I wasn’t overtly concerned about it. He is smart enough to know when it’s time to not push it. That’s pretty much the message I got.

“We’re just going to let it calm down a little bit.”   

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