Chicago Cubs

Arrieta, Montero Question Maddon's Decisions in Cubs' Loss

The Chicago Cubs are preparing for the postseason and have been trying to give guys enough rest as the playoffs near, but two prominent members of the team aren’t exactly thrilled with how things have been going over the season’s final week.

In separate interviews after Wednesday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jake Arrieta and Miguel Montero questioned Joe Maddon’s strategy during the team’s games this week, with Arrieta upset at a decision to switch catchers mid-game against the Pirates.

“The feeling of the game, from the first pitch, just wasn’t there,” the pitcher told the media after giving up seven runs to the Pirates. “Switching catchers just felt like we were trying to do a little too much instead of win a ballgame. But I didn’t throw well, no way around it.”

Arrieta wasn’t alone in criticizing the decision to switch catchers mid-appearance, as Montero also weighed in on the subject in an interview with CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney.

“Did it feel like spring training? I do believe that,” he said. “And that’s not a good feeling for a pitcher, for a player, to go into a game knowing that you’re going to play just four innings or five innings. This game is still important for all the players. It’s still important for every single guy.” [[393634811, C]]

Maddon has been cautious about not overusing his players as the season has wound down, and amped up the protective measures in the season’s final week. With home-field advantage already sewn up, Maddon has routinely rested several starters at a time and has been hesitant to use regulars as pinch hitters or in standard bullpen roles, and clearly there are players irked by the moves.

Arrieta will not get another start before the end of the regular season, but even amidst his critique of the decisions in Wednesday’s game, there is still one message that he wants to send to the Cubs’ first playoff opponent next week.

“I’ll throw sides, I’ll prepare. And whoever I face first round – they’re going to be in trouble,” he said.

The Cubs will open the postseason on Oct. 7 at Wrigley Field, and it is widely assumed that Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks will pitch the first two games of the series. John Lackey and Arrieta are also expected to be playoff starters, but their pitching order has yet to be determined.

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