Cubs Manager Joe Maddon Knows To Never Overlook The Cardinals
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Joe Maddon knows.
Growing up an admirer of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs' manager is aware of an organizational history that still rings true today. He realizes that the NL Central rivals can't be counted out.
Sure, the Cubs entered Sunday's contest at Wrigley Field with a 13-game lead in the division, but even with his team so young and talented, Maddon believes the Cardinals will be in the hunt for the rest of 2016 and seasons beyond.
"I have so much respect for that group and what they're going to do to get back at us," Maddon said prior to Sunday night's contest with the Cardinals. "For right now, you want to take advantage of the moment as much as you possibly can knowing that the tradition and the stellar organization that it's been, they're going to come right back at us very soon."
Maddon's Cubs have the young core of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Jason Heyward, plus a stellar rotation led by Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and potentially an emerging star of Kyle Hendricks. The Cubs have baseball's best record, a mark they've owned for much of this season.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are tied for the second NL wild-card spot and are fighting hard for the postseason with the veteran group of Adam Wainwright, Matt Carpenter, Yadier Molina and more. They stand in second place of the NL Central, with Fangraphs projections having the Cubs with a 99.9 percent chance of winning the division.
The Cubs' window for annual contention opened last season with a 97-win campaign and trip to the NLCS. They overcame the Cardinals with a four-game series win in the NLDS.
Regardless of all the Cubs have accomplished this season and what could remain ahead, Maddon refuses to ever overlook the Cardinals.
"Honestly, I've learned to take nothing for granted," Maddon said. "I'm sitting here because I never did. They're good, and they're going to be really good again soon."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
