The Chicago Cubs' Bullpen Woes Continue
In a frustrating development for fans, the Chicago Cubs' bullpen struck again Tuesday night. Carrying a narrow 2-1 lead into the ninth inning in the first game of a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Cubs seemed on the brink of a crucial win. However, a meltdown by nominal closer Hector Neris resulted in a three-run walk-off home run by Brandon Lowe, leading to a 5-2 loss for the Cubs.
The Cubs have now lost 13 of their last 18 games, a worrying trend that has seen their bullpen's statistics plummet. Currently, the Cubs' bullpen ranks 25th in ERA (4.47), 26th in WHIP (1.37), 22nd in strikeout-to-walk rate (2.23), and 27th in win probability added (-0.66). During this dismal 5-13 stretch, the Cubs have notably lost three games despite leading in the sixth inning or later and another game that was tied in the seventh inning. If the bullpen had held those leads, the Cubs could have been dealing with a frustrating 8-10 stretch rather than a disastrous 5-13 run.
Hector Neris’ Struggles
Hector Neris was signed to a one-year deal worth $9 million over the winter, a move expected to solidify the Cubs' bullpen. Neris entered Tuesday's game with a respectable 2.63 ERA. However, his underlying metrics suggested there might be issues brewing. He had walked 17 batters, nearly as many as he had struck out (22). Performance estimators further indicated there was some smoke and mirrors involved, with Neris holding a 4.11 ERA and a 4.75 xERA.
Neris has managed to convert 9 out of 12 save opportunities, but the bullpen's glaring issues persist. With inconsistent offense adding to the pressure, the Cubs have seen their margin for error shrink nightly.
Offensive Struggles Compound Issues
Adding to their woes, the Cubs' offense managed just two runs on Tuesday night and has been averaging a meager 3.89 runs per game during this 5-13 stretch. This lack of offensive support makes life increasingly difficult for the bullpen, which is often tasked with protecting narrow leads.
Despite the shaky bullpen, inconsistent offense, and a 5-13 record over the past 18 games, there is still a silver lining for the Cubs: they are only one game out of a wild-card spot. Mediocrity is widespread in the National League, and plenty of time remains for them to turn things around.
Tuesday's loss dropped Chicago to a 32-35 record on the season, which is now identical to the Rays’ record. However, the Cubs' schedule doesn’t get any easier as they continue their series with the Rays and face several strong teams in the coming weeks. For Chicago to stay in the wild-card race, improvements need to come quickly in both bullpen performance and offensive output.
Fan Patience Wearing Thin
Fans are growing impatient, and the team’s margin for error is shrinking as they sit at this critical juncture. The bullpen's struggles have highlighted a larger issue that extends to the entire team's performance. Without immediate improvements, the Cubs risk falling deeper into the standings and out of playoff contention.
There is still time for a turnaround, but whether the Cubs can seize the moment remains to be seen. For now, the team must address its bullpen issues and find ways to support its relievers with a more consistent offensive output. The fate of their season could very well hinge on how quickly and effectively these adjustments are made.