Eddie Butler and Mike Montgomery are a dynamic duo, at least in Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s eyes.
Maddon has used the pair in a unique fashion this season as he attempts to fix the team’s issues at the back of the rotation. Butler has made six starts, three of them have been pretty strong. In two of those starts, including in Monday’s 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins, he’s been pulled rather early, considering his low pitch count. Both times the left-handed Montgomery replaced him to eat multiple innings and close out the game.
Butler worked 5 2/3 innings on Monday, and tossed just 66 pitches while allowing only three hits and one run.