Chicago Cubs: Examining the wave of potential September call-ups

The battle for division supremacy is in full swing as we are just two weeks away from the final month. With September comes the potential for call-ups. The Chicago Cubs could use some depth. It is just a matter of who it could be.

Each season teams find themselves bringing sure guys up from the dregs of the minor leagues. Most of the time the move happens to provide that added depth in some positional regions. For the Cubs, a contending team and a team in first place, the latter is not true.

For the Cubs to bring someone up to the professional club, the team needs to make sure they will be a solid contributor.

That being said, at least in this instance, a majority of their talent is already on their Major League roster, so there may not be many names to consider for a modest comeback. Nevertheless, with the wave of various DL stints throughout the season, you never know what can happen. Here are some names who fans could see in September.

Chicago Cubs: Dillon Maples, RHP

Dillon Maples has seen action with the Chicago Cubs in minute sample sizes over the past couple of seasons and has not performed well. In 8 2/3 career innings at the big league level, Maples has posted an 11.42 ERA with a .424 wOBA, and nine walks.

However, in his time last season with Triple-A Iowa, Maples posted a 1.96 ERA in 18 1/3 innings with a 36.4 percent strikeout rate. Maples hardly gave up any home runs as well, allowing a low 0.49 HR/9.

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In his work this season at Triple-A, Maples put up a 2.27 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched. Maples has also produced an incredibly solid 3.22 xFIP. Concerning his strikeout rate, Maples saw an increase in his percentage, which climbed all the way up to 42.4 percent.

Now, Maples is in the midst of an unbelievable video game-like stretch. In his last 23 appearances, Maples has not allowed an earned run. Not a single one. To understand how long it has been, we need to travel all the way back to June 6. It has been now two-plus months since Maples has allowed a run in the minor leagues.

According to the Iowa Cubs, Maples last 22 appearances include 21 innings pitched, no earned runs, 13 walks and a ridiculous 42 strikeouts.

With Brandon Morrow currently on the disabled list, the team needs depth. Dillon Maples and his 100 MPH fastball should receive the call when rosters expand.

Chicago Cubs: Duane Underwood, RHP

Pitching is the theme, and it continues with Underwood. In a spot start versus the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this season, Underwood pitched four innings, giving up one earned run on just two hits.

While it was not the most dominant debut, and considering the circumstances, Underwood did show glimpses of what he can be for the Cubs. As we approach the final month, Underwood could have his name called once again as a depth move with the possibility of some work mixed in.

Underwoods last two starts at Triple-A Iowa have not been great, however before that he posted three straight starts of one-run ball (15 IP, 1.80 ERA).

It is no secret that the Cubs bullpen has seen its fair share of work this season. Entering Sunday, the club ranked in the top ten in all of major league baseball with 429 2/3 IP. Underwood could, at the very least, provide some additional support as the team makes their final push to October.