Chicago Cubs: Who will join Pedro Strop and Brad Brach in the bullpen?

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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium on October 3, 2018 New York, New York. The Yankees defeated the Athletics 7-2. Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

Regardless of the team ranking in WAR, the Chicago Cubs finished in the bottom-half of the MLB last season in multiple key areas.

The bullpen of the New York Yankees is well-known for its ability to strike out opposing hitters, which often helps end a rally attempt by the offense of the opposing team. Last season, they finished first in the league with 11.40 strikeouts per nine innings. The Houston Astros were second with a 10.56 K/9 and the Milwaukee Brewers were third with a 10.38 K/9.

Unfortunately for the Chicago Cubs, their bullpen ranked 18th in the league with an 8.63 K/9. Out of the ten MLB teams that reached the postseason in 2018, the Cubs’ bullpen ranked last in K/9.

As it is very important to keep free passes to a minimum in the late innings, the Cubs’ bullpen did an awful job at prevent walks. During the 2018 regular season, there were only three teams with a higher walks allowed per nine innings. The Atlanta Braves held a league-worst 4.41 BB/9, the St Louis Cardinals held a 4.34 BB/9, the Baltimore Orioles held a 4.32 BB/9, and the Cubs held a 4.18 BB/9.

Despite the poor K/9 and BB/9, the Cubs’ bullpen performed very well in batting average on balls in play as well as home runs allowed per nine innings. The Oakland Athletics led the league in BABIP at .265 and the Washington Nationals and Cubs were tied for second at .277. In the HR/9 category, the Cubs took the top spot in the MLB by allowing a minuscule 0.78 HR/9.

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