Four years ago, who’d have thought I’d be taking the time out of my day to defend Joe Maddon. Especially after he ran off four-straight postseason appearances, averaging 97 wins per season and brought a World Series title a century-plus in the making to the North Side, ending the anguish of Chicago Cubs fans everywhere.
But here we are.
Despite getting just eight starts from Yu Darvish, a near-worthless season from Tyler Chatwood and only half a season from Brandon Morrow (Theo Epstein’s three biggest offseason additions last winter), Maddon led the team to 95 wins – taking the division down to a winner-take-all Game 163.