Oct. 10--Despite Kyle Schwarber's impressive rookie season, manager Joe Maddon said it was "not difficult" to sit the Chicago Cubs' prized left-handed hitter before Saturday's second game of the National League Division Series at St. Louis.
"For me, honestly, his body of work, in general, has not been very good," Maddon said of Schwarber, who batted only .143 (8-for-56 with 27 strikeouts) against left-handers during the regular season. "I believe he's going to be better in the future with that. but why have these guys on the roster if you're not going to utilize them?"
Austin Jackson is starting in left field in place of Schwarber, with Jorge Soler in right against Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia.
"they're here for a specific purpose, and this is their purpose -- to play against this guy (Garcia)," Maddon said. Jackson has postseason experience with the Detroit Tigers (2011-13).
Maddon said there essentially was no space for Javier Baez, who is batting .421 against left-handers this season. Maddon had thought about starting Baez at third base and moving Kris Bryant to left field.
Maddon said that he and his staff have not discussed the possibility of bring back Jon Lackey on short rest to start the fourth game, if necessary, on Tuesday at Wrigley.
"Hypothetically, after throwing 115 pitches, I don't think we will," Maddon said. "We haven't talked about it in advance. I'm not saying we won't, but we have not uttered that to this point."
