Chicago Cubs News: Top three new pitchers of 2020

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Alec Mills (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Chicago Cubs added a whole new stable of arms this season that are keeping the North Siders competitive as October slowly comes into play.

Every season, Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein does a little tweaking to his stable of pitchers, looking for that mix that will be magical and set the Cubs up for a postseason run. This season, Epstein has found that magic combination and is looking to push through into October. Here are three new Cubs pitchers that have taken 2020 by storm and have been vital to getting the Cubs into a postseason run.

Alec Mills – Mills has been one of the most outstanding additions to the starting rotation for the Cubs, recently gaining accolades as the National League Player of the Week after serving up a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers in a series tune-up as the Cubs prepare for postseason action.

Mills’ historic shutout follows in the footsteps of the trusted Cubs veteran, Kyle Hendricks, who also slammed the Brew-Crew back in July with a no-hitter during the Cubs opening matchup of the COVID-season. Mills’ outstanding performance is the 16th no-hitter in Cubs history as the boys went on to step all over the Cheese-heads in dramatic fashion, 12-0.

There was a bit of foreshadowing that Mills was on the verge of greatness during the recent Cincinnati Reds series, where Mills allowed just four hits and three walks during a striking barrage of pitches in six scoreless innings for the Cubs. Mills’ contribution set the stage for the later series win, as the Cubs ate some Cincinnati Skyline Chili for lunch while smiling at their 3-0 conquest.

As old faithful Cubs pitchers like Jon Lester begin to experience the wear and tear of years of firing in the mustard, Mills will be needed to help anchor things with vets Hendricks and Cubs magician pitcher, Yu Darvish, going into the postseason. Mills looks steady and ready, sporting a 3.93 ERA this season. However, Mills’s work leading up to the October postseason this month is awe-inspiring and almost untouchable, posting a 1.80 ERA and 13 kills.

Yes, Mills looks to be peaking at just the right time and scores as one of the top new Cubs pitchers of 2020.

Dan Winkler (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: The pup with new tricks

I almost feel like not writing about pitcher Rowan Wick and going straight to Dan Winkler in this article because of all the comments I’m going to get in the Cubs Fan Groups on social media.

So for the record – let me say, yes, I know Wick pitched for the Cubs last year, and this is not his first year with the Cubs like everyone else I’ve been featuring here. However, Wick’s strong performance this year calls for an honorable mention.

(Oh, I know some dummy out there is going to comment “Wick played last year for the Cubs – you don’t know what you’re talking about – this is a dumb article…”)

Ah, the joy of being a baseball sportswriter covering one of America’s most beloved teams. (Now someone will write those words just as a joke–also to my chagrin) but I digress.

It is well documented that I have had no recent love for closer Craig Kimbrel’s lack of early effort, but I have almost the exact opposite feelings for a right-handed relief pitcher, Canadian Cubs pup, Wick. Talk about making no money and stepping up and saving the team four times this season.

I firmly believe this guy is on his way in his second year with the club. Although his ERA is slightly higher than last year’s impressive 2.43 ERA, this year, Wick is still killing them with a 3.31 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 18 games pitched. The young pup has undoubtedly learned some new tricks, and they will need all of them in the postseason. In my mind, he is still none other than Mr. Wick. Okay, on with the newbie!

Chicago Cubs: The guy that should be named the closer

Jeremy Jeffress – With four wins under his belt and a smoking 1.77 ERA, Jeffress continues to prove daily to the organization that you don’t have to spend a boat-load of money to be the best at your game.

Jeffress has been nothing but impressive in just about every outing I can recall this whole season. While the Kimbrel controversy was gaining traction last month, Jeffress was all about business as he saved the Cubs seven times this season (so far) from certain doom.

The younger pitchers look to Jeffress as an endless well of knowledge that has been throwing for some 11 years in MLB. What an outstanding example Jeffress is setting for a bullpen that looks to be heading to the postseason. There has been no better example of stability, intensity, and keen focus during clutch game scenarios then Jeffress, and the whole bullpen knows it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kimbrel’s stunning turnaround isn’t in part due to Jeffress’s commanding example.

We already know the job is challenging enough; I mean to come into a game when all heck has broken loose can’t be an easy thing for anyone, but Jeffress makes it look easy, and he’s playing mentor.

Next. Lester bids farewell to Wrigley Field?. dark

Batters can never seem to get their bats on Jeffress’s pitches, and since the middle of August, he has produced most of the save opportunities they have capitalized upon.

The Milwaukee Brewers have to be kicking themselves that they let Jeffress go in the first place, especially after the performance of their go-to closer Josh Hader recently against the team.

In my book, Jeffress has been the best acquisition they made to their bullpen this past season. Now that they look to be heading into the postseason, things couldn’t be better for what has been a questionable bullpen the past couple seasons.

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The Chicago Cubs added a whole new stable of arms this season that are keeping the North Siders competitive as October slowly comes into play.

Chicago Cubs: The pup with new tricks

Chicago Cubs: The guy that should be named the closer

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