Chicago Cubs: The bullpen has been solid; most of the time

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Despite the ups and downs of the Chicago Cubs this season, one thing has remained fairly constant, the play of the bullpen

The 2017 season has not turned out the way many Chicago Cubs fans thought it would. After winning 103 games last season without Kyle Schwarber, many people believed the 2017 Cubs would be better than last year’s team.

Despite optimistic views before the season, the Cubs have struggled to remain constant both at the plate and on the mound. That lack of consistency is perhaps best outlined by the Cubs’ performances on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Playing against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, the Cubs’ offense scored 16 runs and notched 17 hits in a 16-4 win. Following that offensive explosion, the Cubs failed to score a run on Wednesday against the same opponent, recording just three hits in a 3-0 loss.

Even after dropping their last two games, the Cubs still own a 14-5 record since the All-Star break and a 1 1/2 game lead in the NL Central.

Despite the Cubs hot streak since the All-Star break, Chicago’s offense ranks 25th in batting average and is tied for 13th in runs scored. Even though that is the case, the Cubs have seen consistent play out of one facet of their team; the bullpen.

Davis owns the ninth

Wade Davis was acquired via trade with the Kansas City Royals last off-season. To acquire the 31-year-old, the Cubs parted with Jorge Soler.

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Davis came to the Cubs with one year left on his contract and a track record of success. After transitioning to the bullpen full-time in 2014, Davis posted a 1.18 ERA in 185 appearances between 2014 and 2016. In addition to his strong ERA in that time frame, Davis allowed just three home runs in 182 2/3 innings pitched, while recording a WHIP of 0.89.

This season, the right-hander did not allow a run until May 24 when he yielded two. Since that date, however, Davis has recorded a 3.95 ERA.

Despite some struggles of late, Davis is turning in a good season. The three-time All-Star has appeared in 38 games for the Cubs and recorded 22 saves. In addition to that, Davis owns a 2.43 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.

Edwards is the king of holds

While Davis’ job is to lock down the ninth inning, Carl Edwards‘ job is to keep the Cubs ahead until the ninth. For that reason, the 25-year-old leads the team with 15 holds.

Edwards is in his second full season with the Cubs after appearing in 36 games last season. After posting solid numbers in 2016, Edwards has transformed into one of Joe Maddon‘s best options out of the pen. In 47 games this season, Edwards has recorded a 2.93 ERA, and 63 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.

While Edwards has posted a solid ERA, he has had problems with walking too many batters. For that reason, Edwards is allowing 5.9 walks per nine innings, the highest mark of his career.

A combination of talented arms hold down the middle innings

With Davis and Edwards locking down the latter innings, the remainder of the bullpen is relegated to keeping teams off the board in the middle innings. Perhaps one of the best at this is Mike Montgomery. Montgomery has been used in the starting rotation in addition to his work in the bullpen. With the rotation back to full health, Montgomery is now able to focus on his work as a reliever.

In 22 appearances, Montgomery has posted a 2.35 ERA, and 35 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched. Because Montgomery is left-handed, he serves as an important tool in the Cubs’ bullpen.

Also in the mix is Brian Duensing. Signed to a one-year deal prior to the season, Duensing has been better than expected. The 34-year-old left-hander has pitched in 44 games this season and recorded a 2.38 ERA. In addition to that, Duensing is averaging 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings this season.

Pedro Strop has been a crucial part of the Cubs’ bullpen this season. Appearing in 47 games, Strop has logged 13 holds and posted a 2.48 ERA. To go along with that, Strop has struck out 44 batters and walked 17 in 40 innings pitched.

As with Duensing, Koji Uehara also signed a one-year deal before the 2017 season. The 42-year-old has posted some solid numbers this season despite his age. In 40 appearances, Uehara has logged 36 innings and 13 holds. In addition to that, Uehara has recorded a 3.25 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.

Former closer Hector Rondon is perhaps the odd man out in the Cubs’ bullpen. Despite that, Rondon has been solid this season, posting a 3.95 ERA in 43 1/3 innings pitched. Rondon also has nine holds and 53 strikeouts.

One newcomer and one demotion

Justin Grimm, who is currently in Triple-A, has appeared in 36 games and logged 40 innings pitched for the Cubs this season. In those innings, Grimm owns a 5.18 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. To go along with that, Grimm has yielded nine home runs this season, while striking out 42 batters and walking 20. Grimm was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for the Cubs’ most recent trade acquisitions.

Before the trade deadline, the Cubs acquired 29-year-old reliever Justin Wilson from the Tigers. Before joining the Cubs, the left-handed appeared in 42 games for Detroit, posting a 2.68 ERA in 40 1/3 innings pitched. Along with that, Wilson registered a 0.94 WHIP before the trade and averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Since joining the Cubs, Wilson has appeared in two games. In those games, Wilson has allowed three hits and one earned run, while striking out three and walking two.

Despite being solid for much of the year, the bullpen has had its bad days

Following play on Thursday, the Cubs own a 3.36 bullpen ERA. That mark is good enough for fifth best in the majors behind the Indians, Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees. Despite that solid ERA, the Cubs bullpen has struggled in a couple of games this season.

One of the most recent examples came on July 21 against the Cardinals. After starter Jake Arrieta had been pulled following the sixth inning, Pedro Strop pitched a scoreless seventh. With the Cubs ahead 3-2, Carl Edwards entered the game. After throwing 16 pitches, seven for strikes, Edwards was lifted, failing to record an out. Hector Rondon replaced Edwards and also failed to record an out. Finally, Joe Maddon turned to Justin Grimm who finished the game.

Despite entering the eighth inning with the lead, the Cubs’ bullpen yielded nine runs in the frame. Three of those runs were charged to Edwards who also walked two batters, while four runs were charged to Rondon who also walked two batters. Grimm, who came in to clean up the mess, allowed two runs of his own and walked three Cardinal hitters.

Thursday’s meltdown

While the most recent bullpen meltdown was not as bad as the one on July 21, it was bad all the same.

Jose Quintana, the Cubs starter, worked five innings on Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing six earned runs. Tasked to work the sixth inning was Brian Duensing. Duensing ended up getting four outs, striking out two and allowing one hit. Replacing Duensing in the seventh was Pedro Strop who recorded both of his out via the strikeout. After Strop had departed, the wheels came off the Cubs’ bullpen.

Carl Edwards came into the game and threw just five strikes in 13 total pitches. Edwards once again failed to record an out and was charged with two earned runs.

Justin Wilson entered the game following Edwards. The lefty was able to get the Cubs out of the eighth after 24 pitches and two base hits.

With the game tied at eight, Maddon turned to Wade Davis in the ninth inning. Davis promptly issued four hits and two runs. Those two runs came via the home run and proved to be the difference in the Cubs’ 10-8 loss.

Despite blow-ups, the Cubs’ bullpen is still solid

Even with the recent struggles of the Cubs’ bullpen, there is no need to worry moving forward. The reason behind that is over the course of 162 games, there are going to be some games where players do not perform well.

Excluding the two games mentioned above, the Cubs’ bullpen has been one of the best in the major for much of the season. With Wade Davis locking games down on the back-end and Carl Edwards coming out of the bullpen whenever he is needed, the North Siders’ bullpen is set up for success.

Newly acquired Justin Wilson will also help stabilize the bullpen moving forward. Wilson will help address the one weakness that plagued the bullpen; lack of left-handed pitching. With Mike Montgomery needed in the rotation for the last month or so, Brian Duensing served as the only left-handed option in the bullpen. Now, with Montgomery back in the bullpen and Wilson on board, the Cubs have three lefty options.

Next: Chicago Cubs: After dropping two of three to Arizona, fans already worried again

Cubs fans should not worry about the recent hiccups experienced by the bullpen. It is better these hiccups come in July and August rather than in September or October.

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