Chicago Cubs: What’s with the sudden influx of position players on the hill?

For the second time inside a week, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon went to position players to close out a ballgame, drawing ire from many in the game.

On Monday night, the Chicago Cubs opened up a series with the Arizona Diamondbacks with a lopsided loss. Instead of handing things over to an already overtaxed bullpen, Joe Maddon sparked some enjoyment in an otherwise disappointing moment.

How, you ask? By finally giving in to Anthony Rizzo’s long-standing request to take the hill.

After Monday’s rough start from starting pitcher Luke Farrell, it became more apparent the Chicago Cubs are in need of pitching more than ever. Falling behind quickly to the Diamondbacks, Farrell lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up six earned and forcing the hand of Maddon to move to the bullpen.

The bullpen, meanwhile, pitched lights out over 4 1/3 innings, allowing just a single unearned run. Unfortunately, due to the lack of options, the Cubs went into the game with, the decisions became limited in how they wanted to move throughout the rest of their game. Enter Victor Caratini and Anthony Rizzo.