Chicago Cubs: Strong start masks bullpen woes in the second half
By Keaton Moore
The Chicago Cubs bullpen, which was one of their strongest suits heading into last October, is stumbling through the early stages of the second half.
The Chicago Cubs are off to an impressive start to the second half, which brought them to within a half game back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, but they are doing so in spite of concerning bullpen struggles.
Although their 3.47 bullpen ERA on the season is the second best in the National League, the Cubs own a 5.76 ERA in relief since the All-Star Game. This recent grind is overshadowed by Chicago’s offense, which scored 57 runs in their 8-2 start to the second half.
Dr. First-Half and Mr. Second-Half
While Carl Edwards Jr. and Koji Uehara both enjoyed great first halves, their numbers are not what they were before the All-Star Game. By allowing three runs in four innings, Edwards’ ERA rose from 2.29 in the first half to 2.75. Likewise, Uehara entered the second half with a 2.73 ERA, which is now up to 3.27 after giving up three runs in 3.1 innings of work.
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For Hector Rondon and Justin Grimm, this season is only growing worse in the second half. Both pitchers came in with 3.80-plus ERAs and since the break, Rondon owns a 9.00 ERA and Grimm’s is 10.13.
It is the Cubs’ two losses since the break that screams of their bullpen issues. The Cubs dropped their series opener in St. Louis when the Cardinals leaped on their bullpen to score nine runs in the eighth inning. Once Edwards and Rondon failed to record an out, Grimm finished the inning, but not before giving up two runs.
Their next loss kept the Cubs from taking the lead in the division when the Chicago White Sox beat them 3-1 on Monday. Despite the strong effort of Kyle Hendricks, who made his return off the disabled list, the White Sox took the lead against Grimm in the fifth and scored off Uehara in the eighth.
Next: Brewers, Mariners and Sonny Gray
Seemingly the only good to come from Chicago’s bullpen is Wade Davis. In his first season as a Cub, Davis has posted 20 saves with a 2.12 ERA in 34 innings pitched. Although his second half ERA is 5.40, Davis will need to continue his success, especially admits a struggling bullpen.