Chicago Cubs: Is Carl Edwards, Jr. the answer for the bullpen?

Much maligned in the Chicago Cubs season up until now, has been the underwhelming performance of the bullpen.

So far in the first half, the Cubs bullpen has posted a 3.94 ERA, a WHIP of 1.24, 263 strikeouts in 253 1/3 innings, and a .216 batting average against. Of course, it certainly could be worse, but, when you’re competing for a championship, it needs to be better.

One guy that has really shined through all of this, though, is Carl Edwards, Jr. Sure, he’s pitched in only nine games so far, but, in those nine games, he has posted just a 1.69 ERA, struck out 12 in 10 2/3 innings, and posted just a .114 baa.

The most important thing, though, is just his three walks. Edwards is throwing strikes this year, and that was his biggest question over the course of his career.

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In just his third appearance of the season, he entered a game in Cincinnati in extra innings, and he promptly retired Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, and Jay Bruce, and he made it look easy, getting an easy fly ball out of Votto before striking out Phillips and Bruce.

Edwards, Jr. came to the Cubs as the centerpiece in the Matt Garza trade three years ago. Another member of the Cubs’ bullpen also came over in that deal, Justin Grimm. Grimm has been a successful reliever for this team ever since coming over, but he’s run into some struggles this year.

Edwards, Jr. has his velocity back, sitting 94-97 MPH with the fastball, along with a devastating hook that he is locating very well so far. The Chicago Cubs have really had trouble bridging the gap to get to Pedro Strop and closer Hector Rondon in the back of the bullpen.

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Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are out shopping for more pitching, but maybe the reinforcements for the bullpen come internally. Then again, maybe the whole bullpen turns it around and becomes a strength of this team here down the stretch.

The pieces are there, Trevor Cahill has been better than expected, Grimm has the stuff, Strop and Rondon are proven, Travis Wood has been great, but look for Edwards, Jr as the guy to really step up in the second half.