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

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.