Cubs' struggles in August haven't stopped the bullpen from dominating

Calling August a topsy-turvy month for the Cubs would be an understatement.

The team began the month by taking out of three from the Orioles, though they would go on to lose the next three series before righting the ship against the Pirates. Then came the exceedingly five-game set with the Brewers, which the Cubs won and then consolidated with a sweep of the Angels... only to follow that up by getting swept by the Giants.

Naturally, there's been tons of fluctuations in the lineup and starting rotation as the team tries to get back on track before the final month of the season.

But, do you know what part of the team has been rock solid in August? The bullpen.

Cubs bullpen leading the way through murky stretch run performance

Yes, it's true that the bullpen (namely, Daniel Palencia) did just surrender a walk-off to the Giants in the final game of the series.

But, prior to that unfortunate ninth inning, the North Siders' bullpen had been rock solid since the trade deadline. In August, that unit ranks fifth in the league in fWAR (1.1), 13th in ERA (3.74), sixth in FIP (3.60), fourth in strikeout rate (26.4%), and tied for first in saves (10).

Plus, they rank the bottom-ten in innings pitched (84 1/3), meaning they haven't been taxed as heavily as other around the league (specifically, the Brewers' bullpen has been worked like dogs this season).

It's mostly been a group effort, as Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller, Nate Pearson, and Luke Little have combined to pitch 25 2/3 scoreless innings since the trade deadline. Caleb Thielbar has been his usually dominant self, allowing just one run in 7 1/3 frames, and Palencia had been brilliant prior to his rough outing in San Francisco.

Trade deadline acquisitions Taylor Rogers and Andrew Kittredge haven't been infallible, but they have respectable FIPs (3.22 for Kittredge, 3.82 for Rogers), and they're both striking out more than a third of the hitters they've seen since arriving in Chicago.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the downfall of Ryan Brasier, who has given up eight earned runs in five innings this month after starting his Cubs tenure white hot. Remove his numbers from the equation, and the Cubs' bullpen has allowed a scant 3.14 ERA in August, which would rank fourth in the league.

There's a lot to be worried about as the Cubs enter the home stretch of the season. Can a taxed rotation hold up in the heat of the Wild Card race? Can the lineup avoid another ice age? Will the rookies and young players live up to the moment?

However, if there's one piece of this team worth relying on right now, it's the bullpen. Don't let Palencia's blow up against the Giants fool you; this unit is the reason the Cubs have been able to keep their heads above water this month.