Joe Maddon why he used closer Aroldis Chapman

Omnisports

November 2, 2016 4:10 AM

Despite a five-run lead, Joe Maddon was not going to take any chances against the Cleveland Indians and called upon Aroldis Chapman in the World Series.

Chicago Cubs manager JoeÂ MaddonÂ was not going to take any chances with a five-run lead and two outs in the seventh inning of Tuesday's World Series game six, so heÂ called upon closer Aroldis Chapman to faceÂ Francisco Lindor with two runners on base.Â

Chapman, who closed out game five with an eight-out save, was able to getÂ Lindor to ground out, but gingerly walked to the dugout after rushing to make the out on the bang-bangÂ play at first base against the Cleveland Indians.

Even with the heavy usage less than 48 hours earlier, ChapmanÂ returned for the eighth inning and even theÂ start of the ninth after Anthony Rizzo's homer in the top of the ninthÂ gave the Cubs a seven-run lead.

"We just wanted to get [Pedro]Â Strop ready, that happened so quickly with the home run we had to get him ready," Maddon told Fox Sports after the game.Â

"I wanted to get him out there, but that's why [Chapman]Â went out there for one hitter only â”Â hit or walk, he was coming out of the game.Â "

Chapman was pulled after his 20th pitch of the game, a walk to Brandon Guyer.

He has now thrownÂ 62 pitches inÂ three days, but withÂ Wednesday's all-or-nothing game seven, his usage is not likely to be impacted.

"I really anticipate a lot of the same, I really do," Maddon said about Chapman's availability for the decider. "He's a very strong young man. I'll talk to him later today and tomorrow, but I think he's going to be fine, honestly."

Maddon apparently doesn't like the matchups his relievers other than Chapman had against Lindor, Mike Napoli, and Jose Ramirez. He wanted to make sure the Indians were not going to mount a comeback.Â

"I brought [Chapman] in earlier because that's the part of the order he had to get out," he said. "You don't want the game to get away from you at that particular moment so it all worked out well."

Chapman will likely be joined by Cubs starters Jon Lester and John Lackey in the bullpen for Wednesday's game as the Cubs look to become the first team since the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates toÂ overcome a 3-1 World Series deficit and win game six andÂ seven on the road.Â

Omnisports

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