Chicago Cubs: Bullpen cannot succumb to burnout

Much of the success of the Chicago Cubs this season is traced to their bullpen, and the job it has done. Now, as strength so far, it is crucial that the staff doesn’t succumb to burnout by the time October rolls back around.

When the Colorado Rockies made Wade Davis one of the highest paid closers in baseball, the Chicago Cubs needed to figure something out quick, so as not to miss out on replacing him. Luckily, the Cubs found his replacement in Brandon Morrow, and Morrow has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Likewise, the same is said about Carl Edwards, who nearly represented the North Side as the Cubs closer. However, Edwards has done an excellent job, sans two appearances, as the go-to setup man, leading the team to one of the best back ends of any bullpen in Major League Baseball.

The Chicago Cubs bullpen currently carries a very respectable 2.62 ERA. The relief staff has also been worth 1.4 WAR up to this point on the season. All excellent stuff. Can the Cubs figure out how to combat the inevitable burnout that could be on the horizon at seasons end?