Joe Maddon cost the Cubs a meaningful game for first place yesterday by making the same mistake he regularly makes, which is letting the other team’s best hitter beat you. There was no score in the second inning, and the Cardinals had men on first and second, two out. Tommy Pham, their best hitter and one of the best hitters in baseball, was up, and the on-deck batter was hitting .167. Instead of walking Pham, which I realize would have loaded the bases, Maddon chose to pitch to him. Even when the count went to 2-0, making it a hitter’s pitch, the Cubs chose to pitch to him, and he hit a 3-run homer. The Cubs lost 3-2. Carpenter, the .167 hitter, was 0-3 for the game, lowering his average to .161. Previous posts will show other examples of Maddon letting the other team’s best hitter beat them, instead of taking their chances with a hitter not hitting as well.
At least he’s consistent!
Unfortunately, very true!