It's axiomatic that Jake Arrieta will commence, meaning the Cubs could possess a staff of at most 10 pitchers.
"If, the truth is, something were to eventually the starter — injury or gets beaten up at the outset of the game, you want somebody with length there. possibly," Maddon said.
All signs indicate carrying Jon Lester as insurance, although Lester likely would start the primary game of the NL Division Series when the Cubs manage the wild-card game. That leaves Clayton Richard, Trevor Cahill and Travis Wood so long relievers.
The high-leverage relievers can be Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop and closer Hector Rondon, with room for just one or two more.
Not carrying three starting pitchers provides Cubs the choice to shape their bench to accommodate their needs, and that is important because they shall be facing hard-throwing right-hander Gerrit Cole as long as they play the Pirates, that have two effective left-handed relievers in Tony Watson and Antonio Bastardo.
"If you do have a group you never pinch-hit for just a lot, you want to at speed, defense, everything you look at normally, these days you can skew it a tad because you never need three of your respective starters," Maddon said.
Maddon downplayed the notion that players are going to be competing for just a place on the roster.
"We have an understanding what most people are capable of, therefore it is not like necessarily you are likely to audition and win a place in the last week," Maddon said.
Extra innings: Maddon didn't come across as too concerned about give players rest given that a playoff berth is secured with the two days off prior to the wild-card game. ... Maddon said yet hold his third team meeting of the season prior to wild-card game, but promised his speed may not be long. "It's not Lombardian by any means," said Maddon, who promises to tell his players to organize the same way they've throughout the season. ... The Cubs held an exclusive party Saturday night in a local bar that's organized by Lester, Maddon said.
