bryce harper Jamie Squire/Getty

The Cubs and manager Joe Maddon utilized an eyebrow-raising move during Sunday's 4-3, 13-inning win by opting to intentionally walk Harper several times.




Maddon explained the logic behind walking Harper after Sunday's game, saying, "Why tempt fate like that? If the other guy gets you, that's fine. I have no problem with that whatsoever. ... I know he's [Harper] not as hot as he can be coming into this series, but you don't want to get him hot."

Harper met the intentional walks with a smirk, appearing to say, "Alright."



Unless Baker and the Nationals reconfigure their lineup, there's incentive for other MLB teams to copy the Cubs' strategy.