Cubs' Maddon looking for ways to utilize Almora
Last year, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon fielded questions nonstop about how he was going to get Javier Baez into the lineup more often.
Expect those questions this year about outfielder Albert Almora Jr.
"It's a little bit different with Albert," Maddon said Saturday. "It's just based on, 'Is there a hole? Is there a place to put him in there?' I'd love to get Albert out there more often. I think he's really ripe and ready. It's probably analogous because it's a lot like I thought with Javy, too.
"Even when I first met Javy a couple years ago, I thought we were a better team with him on the field as we were sending him back to Triple-A. Albert's that kind of a guy, too. I think you might be better whenever he's on the field just because what he lends to the defense in the outfield."
Like many of Maddon's roster "problems," this is a good one to have. But he must also fit veterans such as Ben Zobrist into the lineup.
"Having said all that, these other guys are going to play," he said. "It's almost like between Javy and Albert right now, who you want to play, regardless how to manipulate center field, right field and second base. There's the triangle now.
"I want to be patient with that. I know Albert's gong to be patient. Albert's time is coming. Albert's time is coming for many years. He's a young man. He's going to be a really good player for a long period of time. "
Liking Schwarber at leadoff:
Kyle Schwarber has batted leadoff in each of the Cubs' 11 games. Joe Maddon says he likes it that way. Schwarber entered the day having 4.68 pitches per plate appearance, second in the National League to the Pirates David Freese (4.73).
"He's doing his job from that perspective," Maddon said. "He's come up with a lot of opportunities to drive in runs in spite of hitting in the leadoff spot. Furthermore, my concern was always that he would not be pitched to elsewhere in the batting order. Even hitting 1 with (Kris) Bryant and (Anthony) Rizzo behind him, the other team has chosen not to pitch to him on occasion which furthermore indicates it's the right spot for him to be.
"I love it, actually. It's kind of nice to see him walk there to start the game. He's always mentally involved. He doesn't take a pitch off. I think everybody feeds off all that."
Getting their rings:
Former Cubs Jason Hammel, Jorge Soler and Travis Wood will come to Wrigley Field Monday and receive their World Series rings. Each plays now for the Kansas City Royals, who have an off-day Monday.
This and that:
Kris Bryant hit the left-field videoboard with his first-inning home run. Of the 6 homers to hit the board, Bryant has 4 ... The Cubs hit for the cycle in the first inning ... Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch for the fourth time, which leads baseball.