Of all his managerial foibles, Joe Maddon’s bullpen usage is probably the most analyzed and criticized. For instance, he has frequently used relievers to face only one batter. And if you’ve ever thought while watching the Cubs that they seem to do this more than most teams, you were right.
Maddon called on relievers to face just one batter 60 times in 2018 more than any other NL team and less than only the Indians for tops in all of MLB. Rivals such as the Cardinals and Brewers — whose vaunted bullpen was largely responsible for their division title — finished 10th and 14th, respectively.