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Joe Maddon Says Sleep Deprivation Factors into Cubs' Slow Start

The 17-17 Chicago Cubs look nothing like the version of themselves that won 103 games and snapped a 108-year World Series curse last year, and manager Joe Maddon has a theory why.

"I sense sleep deprivation more than anything," Maddon said Wednesday, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. "Sleep deprivation has a lot to do with it. Right from the beginning of the year our schedule has been awkward. No one has had a chance to settle in."

Rogers explained the Cubs played an 18-inning game, 13-inning game, two Sunday night contests and landed at 5 a.