Chicago Cubs manager JoeĂÂ MaddonĂÂ 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 heĂÂ called upon closer Aroldis Chapman to faceĂÂ Francisco Lindor with two runners on base.Ă
Chapman, who closed out game five with an eight-out save, was able to getĂÂ Lindor to ground out, but gingerly walked to the dugout after rushing to make the out on the bang-bangĂÂ play at first base against the Cleveland Indians.
Even with the heavy usage less than 48 hours earlier, ChapmanĂÂ returned for the eighth inning and even theĂÂ start of the ninth after Anthony Rizzo's homer in the top of the ninthĂÂ gave the Cubs a seven-run lead.
"We just wanted to get [Pedro]ĂÂ Strop ready, that happened so quickly with the home run we had to get him ready," Maddon told Fox Sports after the game.Ă
"I wanted to get him out there, but that's why [Chapman]Ă went out there for one hitter only ĂąâĂ hit or walk, he was coming out of the game.Ă "
Chapman was pulled after his 20th pitch of the game, a walk to Brandon Guyer.
He has now thrownĂÂ 62 pitches inĂÂ three days, but withĂÂ 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.Ă
"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 toĂÂ overcome a 3-1 World Series deficit and win game six andĂÂ seven on the road.Ă