Joe Maddon has managed in both leagues now and has come away with some general observations.
“The game itself is entirely different with the pitcher hitting,” Maddon said. “I honestly believe there is so much more to think about during the course of the game.”
Maddon referred to a “National League moment” in Kyle Hendricks’ last outing in San Diego, when Maddon felt he needed to pinch-hit for him.
“Kyle is pitching a great game,” he said. “A great game, not a good game. I had to hit for him based on the lineup situation.”
Maddon also noted the need to deploy double switches in the NL. He added that he is surprised that there has not been as much bunting as he had envisioned. Nor has he seen as many hit-and-run plays as he recalled when watching as a kid “in the days of Dick Groat.”
Friday was the first interleague game for the Cubs. The Cubs were 9-11 against American League teams last season.
Rotating: The Cubs decided to push back Jason Hammel from Saturday to Sunday to give him more time to let a cracked fingernail on his right hand heal. Tsuyoshi Wada will get the starting assignment Saturday instead.
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Designated rule: Royals hitting coach Dale Sveum thinks the NL should adopt the designated-hitter rule.
“It’s time to go to a DH all the time,” the former Cubs manager said. “As a bench coach or a manager, it’s awesome to manage a National League game. So don’t get me wrong there. That’s one huge part of managing a National League game.
“But this is the first time all year our (pitchers) are going to hit. Two months into the season. We build our team around a DH, obviously. National League teams don’t. They come to our park and might use a bench player (to DH). So they are at a disadvantage.”
Extra innings: Kris Bryant, who had an RBI double in the third inning, has eight RBIs in his last nine games. … Addison Russell has hit safely in 13 of his 16 games at Wrigley Field. … Jake Arrieta tied his career high by allowing three home runs.