Why Everyone’s Undervaluing the Cubs Bullpen — And What It Means for the Season
I’m going to regurgitate a few things from yesterday’s Cubs article – which was a winner – because I think it bears repeating. This team has the best runs per game mark in the league, and one of the best bullpens. Lately, their pitching has been significant as it has kept them in games despite some issues with offensive droughts. The starting pitching is an issue and something that needs to be addressed. I just recently read an article about the club and who they may consider targeting this year – Sandy Alcantara, Mitch Keller, Jon Gray, and potentially some Rockies starters. They do need to do something as the starting rotation is probably the weak link this year, but consider in the playoffs that most rotations are shortened significantly anyway and matchups are the primary focus. Today might be a prime example of what we will see if the Cubs choose to not get a deal done at the deadline for a difference-making arm. Today’s starter, or maybe I should say opener, is Chris Flexen. Flexen is 5-0 for the year with a 0.83 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. He only has 32.2 innings under his belt, but if that’s what you’re getting out of a reliever, that’s pretty good. You’d just like the opportunity to use him more. Expect him to go somewhere around three innings today. In the games where he has gone three or more innings, he has allowed just one earned run. The bad news is that every Yankee who has faced him has done very well. They are collectively 16-for-44, good for a .364 average, and have three homers (including two from Aaron Judge).
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