HOUSTON -- Unless the Chicago Cubs make it to the World Series for the first time since 1945, this weekend will be the last time manager Joe Maddon can employ the designated hitter this season as the Cubs play their final three interleague games against the Houston Astros.
“The American League games provide another guy to get some at-bats, which is an interesting thing to do,” Maddon said Wednesday from Milwaukee. “Moving forward I’ll give them plenty of advance warning.”
Considering the Cubs have as good a chance as anyone to make it to the Fall Classic, let’s examine how Maddon might decide on his lineup this weekend -- and subsequently in October.