NEWSLETTER
Although he’s not starting either of today’s doubleheader games, Cubs pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay is coming up as the 29th man for the day. Alzolay, 25, was great as a fill-in starter against the Cardinals in the Cubs’ last doubleheader, but he isn’t coming up to start today. Yu Darvish gets game one, and Alec Mills gets game two.
So why Alzolay and not some reliever?
Well, first of all, Alzolay might simply be the best arm available at the alternate site. So bring him up when you get an extra guy. That’s easy enough.
Moreover, here’s my thinking: in the event that you have to pull Darvish or Mills very early today and want a long guy, you *could* go with Colin Rea, though he’s been better in shorter bursts. And you can’t necessarily go with Jose Quintana and/or Tyler Chatwood, if you were thinking one or both of them was going to make the “start” tomorrow (starter still unannounced). So, then, Alzolay makes a lot of sense to bring up as an extra long guy, which could leave you better covered in case – God forbid – you wound up having to pull BOTH Darvish and Mills early.
If I’m right about Alzolay’s call-up, then I think maybe we should be hoping we don’t see him today unless the Cubs are absolutely obliterating the Reds in Game Two?
