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Joe Maddon has unexpected reason behind Cubs slow start

Joe Maddon

The Chicago Cubs have never really been the team that stays around the norm. Especially being led by a manager who invites mimes to lead stretches and the strength and conditioning coach showing up in a  Lucha Libre costume.

With the reigning World Series Champions sitting at fourth place in their division with a .500 record, Manager Joe Maddon recently gave a unique explanation why the team has a slow start this season.

“I sense sleep deprivation more than anything,” he told reporters Tuesday, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “I think right from the beginning of the year our schedule’s been kind of awkward. Nobody’s really had a chance to settle in.

“I don’t think anybody’s taking anything for granted. On the flip side of that, I’ve always said I love the word ‘expectations,’ and I do. But understand it’s going to be a different path this year. It is. It just has to be.”

Recently, Cubs catcher Miguel Montero went on a rant to say the team needs to “wake up” after a blowout to the Colorado Rockies saying the game was a good wake-up call.

“We either come to play the right way or we’re going to have a short season.”

Maddon says the 17-17  record isn’t taking anything for granted, but in addition to fatigue sites their defense as an issue. Saying the team isn’t “catching the ball with the regularity that we normally do.”

Unfortunately, this excuse can only take you so far. Teams travel, deal with weather delays/cancellations, and endure time changes across the league so this team shouldn’t receive any special treatment. However, if Maddon is under the impression the entire team is tired, something needs to be done to make sure they get plenty of rest.

Montero is frustrated which means most of the team, and fans are as well.

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