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Chicago Cubs’ bullpen is taking on a whole new look

By Sayre Bedinger

Jul 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) delivers in the eleventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) delivers in the eleventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards (6) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Chicago won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards (6) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Chicago won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Carl Edwards Jr.

Edwards has earned the nickname ‘middle inning closer’ from Joe Maddon and he’s proven his worth in just a short time since coming up from Triple-A Iowa.

In 14 innings of work, Edwards has struck out 16 batters and posted a 1.93 ERA. With electric stuff and a fastball that reaches around 96-97 consistently but gets into the upper 90s, Edwards is a power arm in a smaller package, as Maddon joked recently that he weighs “140 pounds”.

The Cubs aren’t going to over-use Edwards, as Maddon has noted on occasion. This is a guy you want to keep fresh and uses him in specialty roles when you are in a bind perhaps in the fifth or sixth inning, and the momentum of the game is hanging in the balance.

This is a guy who can come in and blow hitters away with his fastball and also get them with his stuff. He’ll be a valuable piece of the bullpen late in the season.

Next: Strop

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