Inside The Cubs

Why is Wisdom Sitting for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday Against the Marlins?

The Chicago Cubs have benched Patrick Wisdom in favor of Nick Madrigal on Saturday as they prepare to face the Miami Marlins.

Kade Kistner

Why is Wisdom Sitting for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday Against the Marlins?
Why is Wisdom Sitting for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday Against the Marlins? /
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The Chicago Cubs have placed slugger Patrick Wisdom on the bench for Saturday's contest against the Miami Marlins. Nick Madrigal will start in favor of Wisdom. 

It begs the question why?

Wisdom has hit 11 home runs to start the campaign and has a .899 OPS and insane 140 OPS+ in near everyday play. 

Madrigal, on the other hand, is slashing .260/.302/.340 with a 76 OPS+. Not terrible, but it isn't Patrick Wisdom. 

The reason why Wisdom has been benched may lie in his recent performances. In his last two games he has recorded one hit but struck out seven times. Not exactly the plate discipline the Cubs are looking for. 

By giving Wisdom a breather for a game they may be looking to halt any downward skid the slugger could be on. 

Wisdom currently has a 36.9-percent strikeout rate which is very high. He is a feast or famine type player and he is currently in his "famine" state if his last two games are any indication. 

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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