“If Carl throws a first-pitch ball, I’d go out and pull him right away.”
Those were my (only half-joking) words as Carl Edwards Jr. trotted in from the bullpen to relieve Jon Lester with two outs in the top of the 8th inning. Lester had struck out Bryce Harper to open the inning and had picked Ryan Zimmerman off — I know, right? — after walking him, but had then allowed a single to Daniel Murphy. Right-handed Anthony Rendon was coming up, so Joe Maddon figured he go with a righty to close the inning.
I understood the move at the time and I still do; Lester had done a great job, but he was at 55 pitches and Edwards was ready to go.