How Joe Maddon utilizes his relievers without a clear-cut closer figures to play a big role in how far Chicago goes in the playoffs.
Taking no chances in Tuesday night's Game 6, Cubs manager Joe Maddon again went to closer Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning, only this time with Chicago holding a five-run lead.
Santiago Casilla, who lost his closer job in mid-September, was never even called to warm up as the Giants used five relievers in the ninth inning while the Cubs rallied.
Former Orioles reliever Andrew Miller defended Buck Showalter's management skills Wednesday, even as his former manager faced a torrent of criticism for his moves in Baltimore's wild-card loss.
John Lackey's bullpen session Monday at Wrigley Field went "quite well," a Cubs official said, as the starter works his way back from a right shoulder strain.
The Cubs filled a big need on Wednesday, acquiring lefty reliever Mike Montgomery in a four-player trade with the Mariners, according to a source familiar with the deal.
