More Mad Genius

In an extra-inning game against the Reds this week, Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon used three pitchers as outfielders.  In the 14^th inning, he flip-flopped pitcher and outfielder depending on the matchup at the plate.  For you young fans out there, managers like to go righty to right-handed hitter, lefty to left-handed hitter in these situations.  And the Mad Hatter got away with one, yet again.

It’s good strategy, actually, in a way, which is another way of saying I’d do it too, maybe.  If you’re going to carry 12 or 13 pitchers, it’s definitely worth the gamble, as long as you realize at some point the batter is going to hit it out to that pitcher/outfielder.  As I’ve said, oh, a hundred times or so by now, I’d rather have a 10-pitcher staff, with five relievers who can get people out from either side of the plate.

Push comes to shove, you’re a lot better off with an honest-to-goodness defensive replacement out there than a guy who hasn’t caught a fly ball since sophomore year high school.  But that’s just me, and Joe Maddon is a genius.