Chicago Cubs: 3 things we learned about this team in April

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(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

The Chicago Cubs kicked off the month of May by snapping a three-game losing streak and avoiding a sweep at the hands of the division-leading Brewers. But, prior to that, we learned a lot about this team during the season’s first few weeks: both good and bad.

Heading into Monday’s off-day, Chicago sits 5 1/2 games out of first in the National League Central, so the margin for error is already growing smaller if they want to have a shot at sneaking into the postseason picture. As we’ve known from the get-go, it’ll take just about everything going right for that to happen and, so far, that’s just not how things have played out.

Here are three key takeaways from the month of April – and what it can tell us about this year’s Cubs team as we get deeper into the season.

Cubs: 3 things we learned in April: Starting pitching is, again, a problem

Last year’s starting rotation was a disaster. This year was supposed to be better. The only problem is that, even before the regular season got underway, Chicago was without three guys who were supposed to play key roles in Wade Miley, Adbert Alzolay and Alec Mills. Here we are with April in the rearview mirror and, still, none of them have pitched this year.

Meanwhile, Kyle Hendricks, Justin Steele, Mark Leiter Jr. and Marcus Stroman all head into this week’s home stand sporting an ERA north of 5.00 – although the latter is coming off back-to-back quality starts, including a gem against the Brewers on his 31st birthday. As a whole, though, the rotation has been weak – with one exception: veteran Drew Smyly, who boasts a 2.79 ERA through four starts.

As a group, Chicago starters rank 27th in MLB in ERA (5.16), 25th in innings pitched and opponent’s batting average, 26th in strikeout-to-walk ratio – and have just three quality starts (two of which, like I said, belong to Stroman) – more than just two teams: the Pirates and Reds.

Things have to get better in this regard. That’s all there is to it. Getting healthy will help, but the Cubs need more consistency from the guys already in the mix.

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Cubs: 3 things we learned in April: A sneaky good bullpen is a big asset

In recent years, if there’s one thing the Cubs front office has consistently done well, it’s find some diamonds in the rough when assembling a bullpen. 2022 is proving to be no different, with veteran right-hander David Robertson settling into the closer’s role, tossing 10 scoreless frames to open the season.

Scott Efforts boasts 12 punchouts and a .194 batting average against in 10 innings, Rowan Wick has been sharp and Keegan Thompson has been otherworldly in a long-relief role early on. It’s been a nice mix of youth and experience, with all kinds of arsenals and looks being trotted out on a nightly basis.

The big concern here will be whether or not Cubs starters can begin working deeper into games to take some stress off the bullpen. Starters have 97 2/3 innings under their belts while relievers have 91 1/3. Hopefully that balance starts skewing more heavily in favor of the rotation sooner rather than later.

For now, though, the bullpen has carried its weight – and has somewhat quietly been a real asset to David Ross here in the first month of the season.

Cubs: 3 things we learned in April: Seiya Suzuki is exactly what we’d hoped for

Introducing your National League Rookie of the Month for April – Seiya Suzuki. Despite dramatically cooling in the final week or so, the Chicago outfielder was unquestionably impressive during his first taste of big league action.

Suzuki is tied for the team lead in home runs (4) and leads all qualified Cubs hitters in OPS (.926), walks, RBI and doubles. He’s tasked now with making some adjustments to his approach as opponents do the same – but based on everything we’ve seen from him to this point, there’s no reason to think he won’t or can’t do so.

If he can keep this up, his five-year, $85 million contract could prove to be a steal – and one that not only pays dividends now, but when the team is ready to make a run at October again in the coming years.

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Next. What do the numbers tell us about Nico Hoerner so far?. dark

He’s been must-see TV early in his career, showcasing a plate discipline and eye unlike anything we’ve seen in some time. Suzuki stole the show in the first month of his MLB career and we’ll be keeping an eye on him as the calendar flips to May.

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Cubs: 3 things we learned in April: Starting pitching is, again, a problem

Cubs: 3 things we learned in April: A sneaky good bullpen is a big asset

Cubs: 3 things we learned in April: Seiya Suzuki is exactly what we’d hoped for

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