3 Chicago Cubs who deserve a shot at becoming team’s next closer

3 Cubs that deserve a shot at becoming closer: #1: Codi Heuer

Number one on this list belongs to Codi Heuer. As most know, Heuer was one of two players acquired at the trade deadline via the Craig Kimbrel trade with the Chicago White Sox. Since being with the Chicago Cubs, he has been lights-out.

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Heuer has appeared in nine games in a Cubs uniform, allowing  only two runs in one of those outings. The other eight have been scoreless. He owns a 1.64 ERA over 10 innings total in that time while being one of the few Cubs to record a save since the trade deadline. His success comes as no real surprise as he posted a 1.52 ERA in 23 2/3 innings with the White Sox in 2020, after posting a combined 2.39 ERA in in 67 2/3 innings of work in 2019 between High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham.

Heuer’s FIP in the second half sits at 5.57, mainly due to allowing base runners in his last five appearances where he’s given up two walks and five hits. This is a very small sample size that has not translated to earned runs. In his last two outings, Heuer has fired three scoreless innings, allowing zero hits and zero walks. That’s the stuff you like to see out of the back end of the bullpen.

Heuer most likely is the guy Ross hands the ball over to in the ninth inning should the Cubs have a lead of three runs or less. It will be extremely important for these guys to make a strong impact out of the bullpen. In doing so, they can be a key part of the team’s success moving forward.