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Chicago Cubs: Opening month of season shows team’s inconsistency

By Corey Francis

Apr 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs players (L to R) Jon Jay (30) and Jason Hayward (22) and Kyle Schwarber (12) and Addison Russell (27) and Albert Almora Jr. (5) look on before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs players (L to R) Jon Jay (30) and Jason Hayward (22) and Kyle Schwarber (12) and Addison Russell (27) and Albert Almora Jr. (5) look on before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (41) argues with home plate umpire Greg Gibson (53) during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (41) argues with home plate umpire Greg Gibson (53) during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

The bad

The pitching. While it has not been horrible, it placed the team in stressful positions. And it is the full staff, not just one part. As a team, the pitching staff ERA is 3.74.That ranks in the top 10 in baseball, but not what we anticipated. The surprise? The starting rotation’s ERA is 4.34, good for 22nd in MLB.

Most of the damage against the rotation comes in the first inning. Opponents are hitting .330 in the first inning, scoring 28 runs. Both are baseball’s worst marks for a pitching staff. So are the nine first-inning homers allowed. Luckily, the Cubs have won most of the games in which the other teams scores first.

The bullpen started the year off struggling and ended that month with a rough outing. But, by and large, the bullpen has produced when called. However, we witness walks give up at high rates. Each pitcher has endured moments of struggle and success. Should the rotation continue to allow runs, the bullpen will need to continue to be perfect.

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