Cubs' Joe Maddon: 'It's Game 7 From Jump Street'
(CBS) Cubs manager Joe Maddon has finalized his lineup ahead of Wednesday night's National League wild-card game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, but as expected, he won't reveal it until the day of the game so as not to give his foe more time to prepare.
When asked about whether he could get his "best eight bats" in his lineup during an interview on the Spiegel and Goff Show on Tuesday, Maddon did hint that can happen while still feeling confident about the defense. The Cubs will throw ace right-hander Jake Arrieta, while the Pirates will counter with ace right-hander Gerrit Cole.
"We're going to do both in this game actually," Maddon said of having a top-end offensive lineup and still being strong defensively. "I think we can defend and play defense. We've been moving guys all over the last two weeks. For the most part, I like where everybody's looking at different positions. We're getting more comfortable.
"I'm happy with what we've decided to do, what I've decided to do."
What the Cubs have been doing at times lately is playing rookie Kyle Schwarber in right field (instead of left field) and rookie Kris Bryant in left field (instead of third base). It's believed that will be the setup for the Cubs on Wednesday, as the more athletic Bryant can navigate the tricky and spacious left field of PNC Park while the less-fleet-of-foot Schwarber won't have as much ground to cover in right field.
That would also open third base up, seemingly for left-handed bat Tommy La Stella. Cubs play-by-play man Len Kasper said in an interview on the Mully and Hanley Show on Tuesday morning that he expects La Stella to play third, though it's not for certain and Maddon hasn't confirmed it. La Stella was taking ground balls Tuesday during a workout at PNC Park, and he took extra grounders after the workout was over.
If La Stella doesn't get the nod to start, fellow lefty-swinging Chris Coghlan would likely get the start. The Cubs could rotate Bryant back to third base in that case and play Coghlan in left field.
Barring an extenuating circumstance, Addison Russell will play shortstop, Dexter Fowler will be in center field, Anthony Rizzo will play first base and Miguel Montero will catch. It's expected Starlin Castro will play second base after having a spectacular September.
Maddon doesn't want to change any approach for the 97-win Cubs entering the high-stakes contest.
"My message to the team was pretty much just go out there and play baseball tomorrow," Maddon said.
"You're playing Game 7 from jump street, and I think that's very cool."
Listen to Maddon's full interview below. He also talks about Arrieta, Cole and how he listens to the Rolling Stones to get ready.