Craig Stammen outmanaged the Cubs and proved A.J. Preller hired the right Padres manager

Craig Stammen spent his first playoff series as a manager making the postseason look remarkably simple. He picked the right players and anticipated the right moments. When he need to get the ball into the hands of the monsters in the bullpen, he did.

The Padres swept the Cubs because their roster was better, their pitching was nastier and their manager understood exactly how to use both. Stammen never managed scared or appeared interested in saving a weapon for a tomorrow that Chicago was desperately trying to reach.

That should erase whatever skepticism remained when A.J. Preller handed the job to a first-time manager with an unconventional résumé. Stammen was prepared for this.

His best move of the series produced the loudest moment. Gavin Sheets had spent much of September in a walking boot because of a plantar plate tear in his left foot. The Padres knew his defensive limitations. At the same time, they also knew he could still punish right-handed pitching.

So Stammen kept him on the bench in Game 2 and waited. When Cubs manager Craig Counsell summoned right-hander Daniel Palencia with two outs in the fourth inning, Stammen had the matchup he wanted. Sheets came off the bench and demolished a 100.8 mph fastball for a two-run homer, turning a tense 2-1 game into a 4-1 celebration.

Sheets received one plate appearance in the entire series. And all he needed was one swing.

Stammen said the Padres had discussed that exact possibility repeatedly with their pro and advanced scouting departments. Our own Brandon Glick covered the possibilities here too.  They carried an injured hitter because they believed he could win a specific matchup, then held him back until it arrived.

Craig Stammen understood exactly when to unleash the Padres bullpen

Stammen’s handling of Nick Pivetta was just as important. Pivetta had given the Padres 3 1/3 innings and a chance to advance. When Chicago pushed across a run in the fourth and the top of its lineup approached again, Stammen went to work.

Bradgley Rodriguez, Jason Adam, Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller covered the final 5 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Only three Cubs reached base against them.

That deployment started the night before, when Michael King’s seven scoreless innings in an 8-0 victory allowed Stammen to protect his best relievers. King gave his manager a fully stocked bullpen for the clincher. Stammen cashed it in immediately.

A.J. Preller’s gamble has become a Padres advantage

Preller’s managerial choices have invited plenty of criticism over the years. Fairly, too. The Padres have burned through managers while carrying a roster built to contend, and another shaky appointment would have looked like a front office protecting its own power. Stammen has made that concern feel outdated.

His value is becoming obvious in the way he connects the organization’s many pieces. Most importantly, the moment has not made him timid.

Afterward, he told his players they had 13 bricks to lay and had completed two. That was the right message. Enjoy the champagne, then remember the assignment.

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