CINCINNATI -- The Cubs have not taken batting practice for the first three games of their four-game series against the Reds, and they won't do so in Sunday's finale. As far as manager Joe Maddon is concerned, BP is overrated.
"If you think you need it, go ahead and do it," Maddon said Saturday. "I like BP for ground balls primarily."
It's not that the Cubs aren't hitting at all pregame. Hitting coach John Mallee and assistant Eric Hinske schedule the players for sessions in the batting cages. So if somebody wants to hit on the field, what should he do?