Kris Bryant has been on fire offensively over the last week and MLB is taking notice.
Monday, MLB named Bryant the National League Player of the Week for his six-game performance against the Padres and Pirates.
Bryant missed last Monday's game against the Padres due to an ongoing knee issue, which he received a cortisone shot for on Sept. 8. He's been nothing short of fantastic since returning to the starting lineup on Sept. 10, however.
In six games, the Bryant posted a .500/.538/.1.182 slashline, with five of his 11 hits leaving the ball park. He delivered two-home run performances on both Sept. 10 and on Sunday against the Pirates, making Cubs history in the latter game.
Bryant's first home run Sunday was his 30th of the season, which makes him just the third Cubs third baseman ever with multiple 30-home run seasons (he hit 39 in 2016). It also was No. 137 in his big league career, breaking Ernie Banks' record for most homers by a Cub in the first five years of a career.
With Anthony Rizzo out indefinitely due to a right ankle sprain, Bryant's offensive ascension is coming at a perfect time for the Cubs. With 13 games left in the regular season, they'll need Bryant and Co. to step up in Rizzo's absence, which the team will announce a more definitive timeline for later on Monday.
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