Chicago Cubs: Tyler Chatwood excelling in his new role

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher, Tyler Chatwood was moved into the bullpen at the beginning of the year and has performed very well in his new role.

As all Chicago Cubs fans know the first year of the Tyler Chatwood era did not go according to plan. Chatwood struggled most of last year, and the biggest issue was the command of his pitches. With the Chatwood struggles was a big reason the Cubs went out and got Cole Hamels at the deadline last year.

Going into the 2019 season, Chatwood was asked to go into a new role. He was asked to pitch out of the bullpen something he has not done. This had to be hard for a guy that is used to starting games.

Chatwood has excelled in this new role that he was given at the start of the year. He has seemed to “found it” again with his command. When Chatwood can throw strikes effectively, he is excellent as we have seen this season.

So far in the 2019 season, Chatwood has posted a 3.92 ERA( 11% better than the league average) in 26 games 57.1 innings. The stat that sticks out the most is the walks. He has only issued 29 walks so far this season after giving 95 (which lead the big leagues) last season.

Having a guy like Chatwood in the bullpen for Joe Maddon is a real luxury. Because he can make spot starts if need be or he can give you multiple innings in an appearance. Which can save the bullpen.

This is exactly what happened Thursday night in Cincinnati. Hamels struggled, being pulled after only going four innings.

Maddon called on Chatwood to give him multiple innings for an already taxed bullpen. That’s exactly what he did going three innings, only giving up one hit, zero runs, and striking out six.

Chatwood has gotten some chances to start some games this year. He’s been used as a spot starter in emergency situations. The one that sticks out in my head was the game in San Francisco when Jon Lester was stretched the morning of the game for a sickness. In that game, he went four innings only giving up one run and striking out five, all of that and he found out he was starting the game just hours before first pitch.

Any situation that Chatwood has been asked to do this year he has answered the call. That’s all you can ask for as a fan is a guy getting a second chance after a bad year last year. Hopefully, he can keep it up and keep helping the Chicago Cubs in any situation that is asked of him.