Commentary

No problems with roster guessing game

The Jason Hammel decision has seemingly been made much easier by Hammel's recent first-inning nightmares in Denver and Milwaukee, leaving Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Maddon with one less postseason roster problem to ponder.

If Hammel has issues in his first inning, where he has a 5.00 earned-run average, he certainly is of no use out of the bullpen in a playoff situation. And barring injury, the four postseason starters are all set. It's not yet written in stone, but will soon be scrawled in quick-dry cement.

It's too early to make any assumptions, and Hammel is capable of proving everyone wrong. He has a 9-1 record with a 1.77 ERA at Wrigley Field, after all. But he's also 5-7, with a 5.26 ERA, on the road and trending downward.

Guessing who's in and who's out is something Maddon knows comes with the territory with teams on the verge of clinching, especially in a town as anxious as Chicago.

"Of course, and that's what fans are supposed to do, and that's what (the media) is supposed to do -- write stuff that fans read and it creates conjecture and creates interest," Maddon said. "I'm all about it. I just can't be that guy.

"On the top of my (lineup) card every day I write down 'Do not be a fan.' And I can't be a fan. You have to react differently than a fan does. But I think it's great that everybody is into us and thank goodness there's that kind of talk this year.

"But honestly, when I speak about this, I have not thought about it one time, rosters and playoffs. It is about (today)."

Mike Montgomery's five innings of one run, two hit ball against the Brewers on Wednesdayfigures to seal the deal. Montgomery gives Maddon the viable left-handed option for long relief, or just inning or two. Rookie Carl Edwards has proven he's a no-brainer for a roster spot, limiting right-handed hitters to a .088 average, with 27 strikeouts in 57 at-bats, or about one strikeout for every two at-bats. Done deal.

That should leave one or two relief spots open, depending on how many relievers the Cubs decide to take. And, of course, they can change rosters with each round, and will probably do so, depending on match-ups.

Joe Smith, a veteran right-hander acquired from the Angels, has given up an alarming four home runs in only 8 2/3 innings as a Cub. Smith wasn't supposed to pitch on Wednesday, but when Justin Grimm had to be removed for circumstances beyond his control, Maddon had to adjust.

Smith eventually came on in the eighth and served up the game-winning home run to Jonathan Villar.

"He was forced into action and, listen, he gave up a home run," Maddon said. "So what? He threw the ball well."

Meanwhile, leadoff man Dexter Fowler is 0-for-18 in his last four games, and hitting .229 with 43 strikeouts and 27 walks in 42 games since returning from his right hamstring injury on July 22. He was hitting .290 with an .881 OPS before the injury.

Asked if he'd use Albert Almora Jr. or Jason Heyward in center to give Fowler more rest, Maddon said Fowler wasn't tired.

"I don't really think it's a tired issue," he said. "I don't think it's an issue of fatigue. He's had the injury. He was out for a long time. It's just something he's got to get that feeling back, on the left side particularly."

Fowler wasn't concerned, though if Fowler was concerned, you'd probably never know.

As Maddon pointed out, "he looks pretty much the same all the time" and doesn't get too up or too down.

"Get your three hits, and nobody cares anymore," Fowler said.

The Cubs have a .711 winning percentage (32-13) since Fowler's return, despite his struggles.

Sports on 09/09/2016

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