A Bad Day for Maddon

I doubt the Cubs loss Saturday afternoon will have any real effect on the season's outcome.  Still, it was a tough one to stomach.  Maddon was quick to defend Wade Davis and to discourage anyone tempted to blame him for the defeat, which, incidentally, deflected any blame away from himself for shoddy bullpen management.  Actually, Davis is to blame for the defeat.  He was given the lead twice and blew it both times.  This is an objective fact.  It is also the case that Davis has been pretty much flawless in late inning relief, having converted every save opportunity this season and having lost one game when he came on with the score tied.  So, sure, cut him some slack, but don't pretend he did not give up two home runs when his team had the lead.

Actually, if anyone is at fault here, it is Maddon.  Davis has appeared in six of the last eight games the Cubs have played.  He has also not attempted a two inning save all year.  His longest previous outing, within the last week, was a four out save.  It is also the case that Davis did not have it and Maddon had alternatives.  One hopes this is not a trend for the Cubs manager, as he really did botch up bullpen and pitching management in general through the playoffs and World Series last year.

The thing I have not seen criticized about Saturday's game is the game strategy.  I mean, the ninth and tenth innings worked out in the sense that the Cubs came out of each inning with a run that put them ahead.  However, since when do the Cubs play small ball and bunt with position players at bat and nobody out and a platoon advantage.  Similarly, although it is against the book to put the winning run on base, the smart play is to walk Shaw with a runner at second and an open base, simply because Shaw is the only guy on the Brewers who can beat you.

As a final digression in this rant, shouldn't Maddon keep his mouth shut about politics and so-called respect for the White House and its current unworthy occupant?  Even NFL owners, one of the more fascist groups in modern America, have the good sense to exercise some discretion in this matter.