It may seem unreasoned, but there is an element of truth to the notion: Joe Maddon, the canny, eccentric manager of the Chicago Cubs, needs to redeem himself after winning the World Series last November.
As the Cubs open the defense of their 2016 title on Friday night in Washington against the Nationals, with Kyle Hendricks starting against Stephen Strasburg, the memory of Maddon’s managerial moves in Game 6 of last year’s Series still nags at the hearts and minds of the stubbornly pessimistic Cubs fan base. Will Maddon trust his bullpen now, or will he fall prey to the sort of anxiety that nearly cost the franchise its historic moment last fall?