Chicago Cubs: No chicken and beer in the clubhouse

Chicago Cubs: Is Joe really on board with all of these changes?

Less batting practice has been a hallmark of Joe Maddon‘s philosophy, not wanting to tire and wear down players in the dog days of summer. That hallmark has worked relatively well too, given that Maddon’s teams have performed better in the second half, if healthy and fresh. While this change to more BP could heighten focus and set up more of a daily routine for some players, it could also irritate others who don’t need the extra batting practice on a 95-degree day in August.

Lineups being released for an entire series may enable that same focus and accountability with all players, as well as improve the lines of communication between manager and player (something I didn’t realize was an issue with the uber-affable Maddon).  It could also hinder Maddon’s mad-scientist ways, limiting his ability to change or tinker based on what he sees in a given game (this could be a positive or negative, depending on the decision/change and whether or not you like managers tinkering).

Players in the dugout should always be a thing, so I have no real issues with that one, and I doubt most of the players do either.

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The focus on specific games piece worries me a bit because every game during the regular season is important. No game is more important than another because they’re all worth the same whether they’re played in April or September, on a Thursday in Cincinnati or a Tuesday in Seattle. If the team focuses on certain trap-games, does that mean other games will be less important? You cannot logically emphasize some games over others without then de-emphasizing some by accident.

Also, if the team doesn’t win those games, do they then take the loss harder than another because they were really focusing and really trying hard that game? Do they change their lineup and set their pitching rotation differently because of these highlighted games? Again, this idea could be beneficial or detrimental, and I liked the way Joe Maddon approached one game at a time and not letting the pressure exceed the pleasure in any given moment. This one feels like it’s handcuffing Maddon from a philosophical standpoint in the same way the BP thing would.