Did Joe Maddon Leak Who the Game One Starter Will Be?
While the official announcement will come at any time today, Joe Maddon might have already leaked who the Game One starter is.
Joe Maddon envisions Game 1 starter for #Cubs pitching Game 5 if series gets that far. Game 2 starter would then be ready out of bullpen.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 3, 2017
So the Game One starter will be the game five starter, and the game two starter will be in the pen in an all hands on deck like moment. Since Joe and the Cubs like Kyle Hendricks in elimination games, he will be the game one starter. Jon Lester also has experience pitching from the bullpen, see game seven in the 2016 World Series. This would line up perfectly in fact with Joe’s plan from game seven, and makes the most sense.
Also, Jon Heyman has also come out with a story citing Max Scherzer aiming for a game three start, and additionally said his sources have told him Jake Arrieta is also aiming for that same game three start.
scherzer says he's pitching in the nlds, and word is, he is targeting game 3 https://t.co/XJtfywBvfg
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 3, 2017
So the Cubs top three pitchers are determined; Hendricks, Lester, Arrieta. Then we will see Jose Quintana fourth and John Lackey will be an emergency starter/long reliever.
