Chicago Cubs struggling last few times through rotation

Chicago Cubs: The last three haven’t been great

The last three starts by each– except for Hendricks first–have been less than stellar. All five pitchers have struggled to get deep into games either because of pitch count or performance. In the case of Darvish, Joe Maddon had discussed pregame that against the Reds on May 25, he was going to go as deep as he could. Maddon stuck with him into the eighth, but Darvish didn’t record an out that inning.

Starting rotation over the last three games by each pitcher

Totals over the last three starts by each pitcher beginning on May 15

This inability to eat up innings is having an unfortunate effect on the bullpen. Already pieced together with several arms out, they’re unable to carry the load that the starters aren’t picking up. Maddon has his favorites, but he’s already had to call on them more than he’d like, so he’s forced to use pitchers in situations that he’d rather not. That hasn’t worked out that well, at all.

So if you’re one of those that blames the bullpen? You’re sort of right, but it starts from the first pitch of the game, and what the starters can accomplish. And that over the last three starts by each is just under 5 1/2 inning per game. If not for the eight from Hendricks and the seven from Darvish? It would look much worse.