Dale Sveum has been called a homeless man wearing a nice warm up jacket. This week he lamented that he was just going to try to get through the last five weeks of the season. There are not many major league assets to use. There are no supermagical winning streaks in the dugout.
Sveum did a 180 by taking demoted Castro from the 8th spot in the lineup to lead off. It was to put less pressure on Castro, but in some respects it adds to the kid's thinking process because lead off hitters are expected to do certain things: walk, bunt, get on base, steal bases.
Sveum also moved Rizzo to the #2 spot in the order to take the pressure off the young hitter that goes with the 3, 4 and 5 slots. But really, how much different would Rizzo be in the second slot? He has not shown the consistence of being able to hit and run, give himself up to move runners along, or drive balls into the gaps for extra bases.
In reality, Sveum is now using the final weeks of the season as prequel spring training. He is managing like spring training, moving players to the top of the order to get more at-bats. It is a surrender to the reality that this is another lost season for the Cubs, whom are wavering between the 5th and 6th worst record in baseball.
Castro did nothing special leading off against the Nats. Rizzo did have two home runs which was an unexpected change of pace. But both players are stuck in the low .240s BA with large holes in their swings. They have been treading water most of the season. Now that Sveum has called a seasonal time out, maybe the pressure will be finally off the youngsters to "not think" about their performance and just go out and play baseball. That is basically what Castro told reporters before his lead off assignment; that there are too many voices in his head - - - he really only needs to be himself. One would have thought he could have come to that conclusion months ago, but better late than never.
