Cubs’ Maddon ignorant about betting but excited to be World Series favorite

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) talks with his staff during the first of a two-game spring training rematch of the 2015 National League Championship series, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Las Vegas native Dexter Fowler tosses a ball to fans before the first of a two-game spring training rematch of the 2015 National League Championship series, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70), middle, watches a long fly ball during the first of a two-game spring training rematch of the 2015 National League Championship series, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

The Cubs take batting practice before the first of a two-game spring training rematch of the 2015 National League Championship series, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70), walks back into the dugout after checking on his pitcher during the first of a two-game spring training rematch of the 2015 National League Championship series, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant signs autographs before the first of a two-game spring training rematch of the 2015 National League Championship series, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Joe Maddon didn’t expect to get questions about his Chicago Cubs being betting favorites to win the World Series this quickly.

Maddon knew he had a talented ballclub when he took over as manager of the Cubs in 2015, but he never imagined he would have to answer a gambling question a year later in Las Vegas.

“To be favorites to win it all this year is wonderful,” Maddon said before the Cubs opened a two-game exhibition series against the New York Mets on Thursday at Cashman Field. “Someone has to be that. I don’t see it more than a guy picking us to be the favorite.”

Maddon’s Cubs are 9-2 favorites at most sports books to hold the World Series trophy in October.

The former Tampa Bay Rays manager said he has no clue as to how the odds work and no desire to find out.

“I don’t do gambling outside of a March Madness (pool). I don’t get it,” Maddon said. “I really don’t want to get it. I know some people that are really motivated by it.”

The Big League Weekend announced crowd of 11,025 got to witness why the Cubs are a popular pick. They defeated the Mets 5-1, with three runs coming in the fifth inning.

Maddon probably won’t be hitting the strip to play table games any time soon, but he said he has plans to explore Las Vegas with his wife, Jaye, in the near future.

“It’s a beautiful little town here,” Maddon said. “I’ve been here a couple times. I like the mountains. I didn’t realize there was that much snow this close to Las Vegas.”

Gambling wasn’t the only Las Vegas subject Maddon touched on during his pregame interview. He reminisced about coming to Cashman Field in the late 1980s when he was a minor league coach, and asked if it was OK to call Las Vegas simply “Vegas.”

“I know people in San Francisco don’t like it when you say Frisco,” Maddon said. “Is it the same here with Vegas?”

One of Maddon’s star players, Kris Bryant, could answer that question and other Vegas inquires the manager might have.

Bryant, a Las Vegas native and Bonanza High product, was the focal point of the night. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and drove in a run on an infield single in the fifth inning.

“I’m happy for (Bryant’s) family,” Maddon said. “It’s good for the whole group to see how he started (in Las Vegas) and now go beyond that.”

Bryant is batting over .300 this spring but has hit only one home run.

“Compared to hitting eight or 10 (home runs) last year, I can tell you (Bryant) is a much better hitter this year,” Maddon said.

Mets manager Terry Collins also was asked about the Cubs’ betting odds.

“Does it bother you that the Cubs are the favorites, even though you guys swept them,” a reporter asked him.

Collins shrugged and seemed lost when someone tried to explain the odds to him. The Mets swept the Cubs in the National League Championship Series in October.

Las Vegas has been good to Collins and the Mets. He had a big smile on his face when reminded of all the players on his roster who played for the 51s, the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate.

“You gotta trust your minor league staff because that’s how players get ready,” Collins said. “Their jobs are to continue to get the players to get better and become big leaguers, and our guys have done a great job.

“We’ve got good coaches (in Las Vegas). Players like playing here. It’s a great spot, it’s just a long way from New York. It’s hard to get a player there fast, but it’s a great spot for us.”

Travis d’Arnaud (catcher), Jacob deGrom (right-handed pitcher), Lucas Duda (first base), Jeurys Familia (right-handed pitcher), Wilmer Flores (shortstop), Steven Matz (left-handed pitcher) and Noah Syndergaard (right-handed pitcher) donned 51s jerseys before shining for the Mets.

Duda had three hits and an RBI on Thursday.

The Cubs and Mets conclude the series at 1:05 p.m. today. Matz will start for the Mets against Jason Hammel.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter:@gmanzano24