CHICAGO -- Trevor Cahill will become the eighth pitcher to start a game for the Chicago Cubs this season after manager Joe Maddon announced on Sunday the right-hander will get the ball in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Cahill has been prepping for the outing at Triple-A Iowa, where he has made six starts with mixed results, but the Cubs are simply looking for him to eat some innings as they continue to monitor arms heading into the final six weeks of the season. They’re able to do that considering the double-digit lead they hold in the division.
“How long he goes into the game matters how it follows up [after him],” Maddon said Sunday. “We’ll try to fill in after that. The day off is really going to help prior to that.”
The Cubs are off Monday, so Maddon’s bullpen will be fully rested for the two games on Tuesday. Lefty Mike Montgomery could follow Cahill to the mound in Game 1 as the team wants to see him work multiple innings.
“He [Montgomery] looks good,” Maddon said. “The thing I’m finding out about him is he needs to pitch and not just rely on his fastball. He has other really good pitches.”
Maddon had Montgomery for a short period of time in Tampa Bay, before he was traded to Seattle, and never saw the command on his breaking pitches that he currently possesses. The manager is intrigued with the lefty despite his rough beginning as a Cub. After giving up runs in his first three appearances, he has held the opposition scoreless in his last three.
“He has to refrain from just blowing people away,” Maddon said. “This guy can be really, really good.”
Maddon didn’t discount the idea of using Montgomery in Pedro Strop’s role when the need arises. He’s growing on the manager.
“The more he gets his feet on the ground, the more we can look into the latter part of the game with him,” Maddon stated.
As for Cahill, his 4.58 ERA in those six starts at Triple-A might be cause for concern, but a rested bullpen combined with Montgomery’s ability to go more than one inning gives Maddon some options. It could mean a longer outing for Jason Hammel, who will start Game 2 on Tuesday.