The Rundown: Maddon Isn’t Ready to Name Game 4 Starter, Teagarden Added to 40-Man, Wada DFA’d, Motte Throws Simulated Game

Photo of Bryan O'Donnell Bryan O'DonnellOctober 12, 2015

Jake Arrieta will be on the mound tonight for Game 3 of the NLDS. Automatic win right?

I feel like that is the general consensus. Arrieta is confident, and why not? He hasn’t had a non-quality start since June. I don’t think it’s going to be easy tonight. In the Wild Card game, it almost appeared Arrieta was in the heads of the Pirates. I don’t see that happening against the Cardinals.

The game looks good on paper, with Arrieta’s recent domination and the Cubs’ recent success against Cardinals starter Michael Wacha. But anything can happen in baseball. Nothing is for certain. It’s a huge game, and the Cubs have the guy they want pitching. Should be a good one.

In case you were confused on the start time of tonight’s game, it’s at 5:07 Central. The start time wasn’t finalized until the result of last night’s Blue Jays/Rangers game. The Blue Jays won, avoiding the sweep, meaning the Cubs play tonight at 5:07. Very odd to not know the game time the night before.

Breakfast and football

Yesterday, the itinerary for the Cubs: Breakfast, BP (optional) and football.

Other notes

* Joe Maddon wasn’t ready yesterday to name his starting pitcher for Game 4, tweets Carrie Muskat. He said he has an idea, but still needs to talk to the pitcher first. I find this interesting, and makes me think he’s not leaning toward Jason Hammel. But I guess we’ll see. And it might depend on the outcome of tonight’s game.

* The Cubs have added catcher Taylor Teagarden to the 40-man roster and designated LHP Tsuyoshi Wada for assignment. No word on the reasoning for this, whether the Cubs are worried about an injury to one of their catchers.

* Reliever Jason Motte threw a simulated game yesterday and could be added to a future playoff roster if the Cubs advance. I think I’d be OK if they didn’t, however.

* The Dodgers’ Chase Utley has been suspended for games 3 and 4 for his late slide into second base on Saturday night. I didn’t like the play, but for MLB to issue a suspension in the playoffs, when it has allowed these types of slides in the past, doesn’t really seem right.

* Remember how during the winter, we (well I did at least) would get excited about seeing Wrigley Field renovation pictures? Well, I think I like these kinds of pictures even better:

https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/653317828662136832

Photo of Bryan O'Donnell Bryan O'DonnellOctober 12, 2015
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