Seven pitchers on the injured list have forced a makeshift relief corps into high-leverage roles, resulting in a league-high seven blown saves and a staggering 5.42 ERA since June 11.
The Chicago Cubs bullpen hasn't performed well recently.
Although this group was a reliable force in the first few months, it was only a matter of time until this bullpen really regressed. The injuries have finally caught up to this unit.
The Cubs have seven pitchers currently on the injured list. Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Hoby Milner, Porter Hodge, Riley Martin, and Ethan Roberts are all dealing with different injuries at this point in the year.
That has led the team to rely on unexpected bullpen arms over the last couple of weeks and months. No one would have expected Drew Pomeranz, Trent Thornton, Ryan Rolison, Tyler Ferguson, Gavin Hollowell, and Jake Woodford to be throwing meaningful innings for this Cubs team this year.
Thornton, Rolison, and Hollowell started the season down in the minors. Pomeranz was with the Angels, Ferguson was with the Athletics, and Woodford was with the Brewers. Now, these six relievers are trying to keep this Cubs bullpen afloat.
Unfortunately, this bullpen has not done its job over the last few weeks.
Even though the Cubs have the best record in baseball since June 11 (18-7), their bullpen has definitely not been a reason for that. Chicago has a whopping 5.42 ERA during this stretch.
That 5.42 ERA is the eighth-highest in baseball, and this group has given up the second-most home runs (23), has blown the second-most saves (six), has the second-worst FIP (5.75), and the second-worst WAR (-1.2) since June 11.
Those poor numbers don’t even include another blown save for this bullpen in Thursday’s loss to the Orioles. With the Cubs leading 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, their lead was quickly erased.
Ferguson hit two batters, and Rolison gave up a go-ahead two-run double when he relieved Ferguson in that inning. This marked Chicago’s seventh blown save since June 11, tying the Athletics for the most in baseball during this span.
The Cubs desperately need some bullpen reinforcements if they want to make a deep postseason. They likely can’t make a run down the stretch with their current bullpen arms.
While Chicago will be getting pitchers like Palencia and Milner back from the injured list sometime in the second half, it’s still imperative for the front office to acquire a few high-leverage relievers at the deadline.
Relievers like Boston Red Sox flamethrower Aroldis Chapman, New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver, and San Diego Padres right-hander Adrian Morejon would all be logical fits for the Cubs.
