Cubs’ Jason Heyward understands benching

Jason Heyward said manager Joe Maddon didn’t need to speak to him after the Cubs’ right fielder didn’t start Game 1 of the World Series following a 2-for-28 postseason performance.

“There was nothing that needed to be said to me,” Heyward said after the Cubs’ 6-0 loss to the Indians. “He makes the lineup, and that’s that. He’s going to put the best team out there, whatever he feels like is going to help us win.”

But there was a twist when Albert Almora Jr., not Heyward, was inserted in the bottom of the seventh inning as part of a double-switch replacement for David Ross. The ninth spot that Almora occupied was scheduled to bat ninth in the eighth inning as formidable left-handed reliever Andrew Miller started his second inning.

“You always got to be ready,” Heyward said. “Being on the bench, it is what it is. If it’s not you (to be called upon), it’s not you. It’s just a situation where you don’t want to be caught off-guard and be ready all the time.”

But that bench role could be challenging, especially since Heyward has been an everyday player since reaching the majors in 2010.

“As far as switching up roles now at this point in the year, it’s tough to do,” Heyward said. “You can’t get a feel like you would naturally. You got to go off different instincts, and I would say it’s definitely tough to do that.

“There’s no excuse or anything behind it. It’s tough to come in and push a button when you’re used to being out there every day and having some kind of feel for the series or how they’re pitching.”

President Theo Epstein and Maddon praised Heyward for his professional understanding of the situation.

“You always got to be a professional, root your teammates on, understand you don’t make the lineup, do what you can whenever you get the chance to do something, whether it’s in the game or not in the game,” Heyward said.