Cubs Bullpen Faces Challenges Amid Season’s Highs

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The Chicago Cubs bullpen has set a new franchise record for the most pitchers recording a save in one season. Since saves became an official statistic in 1969, Aaron Civale’s clean 10th inning on Thursday marked the 13th Cubs pitcher to achieve this. The save secured a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and highlighted the challenges faced by an injury-tested pitching staff.

As the trade deadline approaches on Monday, the Cubs aim to address roster gaps. Currently at 62-47, they trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 5.5 games in the National League Central. The Cubs occupy the top NL wild-card position, five games above the last playoff spot. The team’s president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, is tasked with making strategic choices to improve the roster.

“It’s all risk,” said manager Craig Counsell. “It’s risk for the organization in terms of the future and now, and his job is to assess that daily.”

The Cubs may need to trade top prospects or young players to acquire a pitcher like Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal. Hoyer’s experience is vital as he evaluates opportunities to strengthen a team with a talented position-player group. The Cubs’ offensive prowess is memorable, with only four teams since 1901 finishing higher in their Offense metric, which measures ballpark-adjusted value.

The Cubs’ rotation has excelled recently. Over a 5-2 trip through Pittsburgh and St. Louis, starting pitchers recorded a 2.88 ERA in 21 games. This excludes Jameson Taillon’s performances, resulting in an even more impressive 1.30 ERA. Cubs starter Matthew Boyd noted the importance of building on positive performances.

“We have a very good rotation,” Boyd said. “If guys are added, it’s always welcome. It’s going to make us better.”

Despite successes, the bullpen remains a point of concern. Injuries have limited Counsell’s high-leverage options. While relievers like Gavin Hollowell, Tyler Ferguson, and Trent Thornton have stepped up, their performances raise questions. For example, Thornton’s ERA was 2.51 before his 10th-inning appearance recently, but his strikeout rate dropped significantly.

This inconsistency was evident when Thornton failed to preserve a two-run lead, resulting in a 3-2 walk-off loss. Counsell emphasized the challenges when relying on balls in play instead of strikeouts.

“A strikeout helps. That’s where the ground ball up the middle… sometimes when the ball’s in play, that’s what happens,” Counsell said.

Acquiring a high-leverage reliever might be costly, even as an impending free agent. Closer Daniel Palencia’s expected return in August will help, but the team needs more bullpen firepower. According to Counsell, Jacob Webb has excelled under pressure, handling crucial outs effectively.