Chicago Cubs could have their next big bullpen piece in Allen Webster

With his recent call-up caused by a nightmarish start by the Chicago Cubs bullpen, Allen Webster showed that he could be a key piece to this ballclub.

We all know how trying of a start to the season the Chicago Cubs have had. A 2-7 start with 71 runs allowed in this period definitely had fans sweating a little. A lopsided 10-0 win in their home opener on Monday assuaged at least some of those fears, but the team still has a long way to go before we can all breathe easier.

Meanwhile, the offense has shown tremendous promise, scoring more than 10 runs on five separate occasions already this year. But, at the end of the day, pitching wins games and someone on this staff needs to step up.

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Although Theo Epstein has taken ownership of this horrid start, it’s up to the players to right this ship. With Carl Edwards Jr. set to spend some time in Triple-A Iowa and Mike Montgomery on the injured list, 29-year-old Allen Webster received an opportunity and has shown he has the potential to be a mainstay in this bullpen.

Granted, we’re talking about a very limited sample size – just 125 big league frames through parts of five seasons. He spent time with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 and 2014, Arizona in 2015 and joined the Chicago Cubs last season.

I wouldn’t be surprised if more than a few fans hadn’t even heard of Webster. He’s thrown less than 10 innings in a Cubs uniform.

While the 6.12 career ERA is far from respectable, the right-hander has great stuff. Webster throws a changeup and slider, which is just what the Cubs need, a guy who keeps it simple. Simplicity is key for this bullpen, as it will give these guys less of a chance to overthink things, which I believe we’ve seen affect players like Carl Edwards and Tyler Chatwood in a negative fashion.

Sure, Webster definitely hasn’t done enough to tell us how impactful he can really be, but sometimes a little can go a long way, especially when you have a pitching staff that ranks near the bottom of most statistical measures 10 games in.

Webster has thrown just 1 2/3 innings this year, and although he gave up a run his first outing, the promise lies in his short call to the mound in the series finale against Milwaukee. Webster came into a 4-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh to replace Kyle Ryan, with two outs and runners on first and second.

The former top prospect kicked things off by striking out Cubs killer Orlando Arcia on three pitches to get out of the jam. He followed that up with a scoreless eighth, keeping the Cubs in the ballgame.

For him to come into this game, not only in a tight spot but to slam the door with so much ease against a hitter who’s found great success against the Cubs, shows a great deal of potential. Sure, the offense wasn’t able to overcome the two-run deficit, but giving this lineup, which has scored runs seemingly at will, an opportunity to erase a late lead was paramount.

Webster showed promise on Sunday. The Chicago Cubs need efficiency and simplicity on their pitching staff, and Webster showed he can provide that. Walks, high pitch counts and long innings can derail a team as a whole, as it feels like an implosion is on the horizon.

Having guys in the pen with the ability to throw strikes and work quickly helps the vibe of a group, which will contribute to both wins and losses at the end of the day. Webster will be someone to watch as this season matures, and with outings like Sunday, he may just be someone to lean on in close ballgames.

With his recent call-up caused by a nightmarish start by the Chicago Cubs bullpen, Allen Webster showed that he could be a key piece to this ballclub.

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