In the top of
the tenth inning during Thursday’s Cubs-Nationals’ game, Cubs manager Joe
Maddon had pitcher Pedro Strop hit for himself with the bases loaded, one out
and one run in during what turned out to be a 4-3 Cubs’ win. Not only did Strop hit into a 5-2-3 double
play, he hurt his left hamstring running out the ball. He’s been ruled out for the remainder of the
regular season.
Consider that
Maddon had Tommy LaStella, who already has a team-record 21 pinch hits on the
year, available to hit and that Strop had already thrown 1.2 innings. All of a sudden, Match-Up Maddon wants a
reliever to throw two-plus innings? Joe,
Joe, Joe.
Up to that
point, Strop had batted all of three times in his big-league career. If it was so important for him to start the
bottom of the tenth, Maddon should have told him to stand there like a statue,
until he walked or was called out on strikes.
Now, the Cubs face going into the last three weeks of the season without
their most capable pitcher in the absence of closer Brandon Morrow, out since
mid-July with a sore arm.
This might be a
good time for Maddon to review his Maddon-isms, especially “Try Not to
Suck.” As far as Pedro Strop is
concerned, it’s too late.
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