SAN FRANCISCO — Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, just 1-for-25 in the last seven games, has been a streaky performer this season. But the quality of his approach and swing hasn’t been streaky, he said.

“I think I’ve been really good with my approach,” said Rizzo, who has just 3 walks and 1 RBI in that seven-game stretch — five of which were Cubs losses.

“The ball goes to the left, the ball goes to the right, and it’s a couple hits here and there,” he said. That’s just nine vs. one. That’s the way the game goes sometimes.”

The Milwaukee Brewers during a three-game series were particularly effective containing the Cubs’ lineup with defensive shifts, including Rizzo. His lone hit in that stretch was a single through the right-side shift Friday night.

In his 12 games before that, he was 18-for-47 (.383) with 3 home runs, 8 walks and 10 RBI.

Wherever needed for Bryant:

Dexter Fowler is off to an all-star-like start. Ben Zobrist has made a sudden impact since signing as a free agent. Anthony Rizzo is the guy the lineup is built around.

But the Cubs’ everyday MVP so far is arguably Kris Bryant.

The on-base and power production, including home runs Friday and Saturday, are only a small part of why. The bigger reason is what last year’s National League Rookie of the Year has done as the most versatile third baseman in the majors at a time the Cubs have needed his versatility most to help get off to the franchise’s best start in a century.

“It’s really phenomenal to have somebody that young and that versatile,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “When I first met him I didn’t realize all of that. Last year we talked to him about playing the outfield, and he didn’t even blanch.”

“He’s kind of like Zobrist. Zo was exactly the same way: never really hesitated at all,” Maddon said. “And he’s what, 24?”

Bryant has started at both corner infield spots and both corner outfield spots this year, and last year started a game in center field in his seventh game in the big leagues.

“He’s played them all well,” Maddon said. “I think he could play shortstop. I mean, this guy’s really that good of an athlete. I have no hesitation putting him anywhere.”

Notes:

• Madison Bumgarner’s go-ahead double in the fifth Sunday marked the second consecutive game in which the Giants starter had a decisive RBI double. Saturday Matt Cain ended the longest drought in the majors (46 at-bats) with a 2-run double off Jon Lester in the second inning.

• Ben Zobrist’s first-inning single extended his streak of reaching base to 28 straight games.

• This report was produced in partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times. For related coverage, check chicago.suntimes.com.