Sep 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) hits a two RBI double during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
CINCINNATI — Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon plans to meet with his coaching staff Monday to finalize the roster for Wednesday night’s National League wild card game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Starlin Castro is playing himself into consideration to start at second base in that game.
“He is playing with such tremendous focus right now,” said Maddon. “Right now he’s playing at the top of his game.”
Castro went matched his career-high with four hits in Wednesday night’s 10-3 victory at Cincinnati, including his 11th homer and a fine lunging stop at second base in the fifth inning.
“He’s playing a complete game of baseball right now,” Maddon said. “It’s not all about hitting. Everything he’s done.”
Castro lost his starting shortstop role in early August. Maddon lauded Castro’s response to the change saying he’s been a good teammate and improved considerably on the defensive end at second base.
“I never put my head down,” Castro said. “I feel great. Just continue to try to help the team. It’s going to be exciting to be in the playoffs.”
Since the All-Star break, Castro leads the team with a .309 batting average. Following a 19-game stretch in which he hit .101, Castro batted .357 in the subsequent 52 games.
Castro went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday’s 5-3 win at Cincinnati.
“He plays in a very non-uptight manner,” Maddon said. “I love that. He’s tension free. Right now he’s in the present tense, man. He’s in tune with every pitch. If he carries this through the rest of his career, it’s going to be a very good one.”
