MLB: Theo: FIX THE BULLPEN!!!!
- Thread starter tm3308
- Start date
I have a soul as well, but man the Cubs are really struggling and not by much I would be upset as well with the bullpen.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
The thing is, they could EASILY be in contention right now if the bullpen wasn't so lousy. Even if they went just .500 in those 2-run (or closer) ballgames, they'd be 32-23, instead of the 23-32 that they are right now. Then you consider some of the games, like last night, where the score didn't end up close because the bullpen imploded in the last 2-3 innings and let a close game turn into a blowout in the blink of an eye.
The rest of the team is good enough to compete right now. The bullpen is holding them back in a big, big way. And that is what is so infuriating about it all.
They honestly are not all that bad this year, the bullpen just make them look like ****. I dont expect playoffs, but they have been a fun team to watch (until the starter gets pulled)
I could just as easily make and argument for the Cubs lack of scoring RISP in 2 run games. The Cubs leave more men on base then then I care to count. The thing is, the offense is getting better, the bullpen continues to suck.
Cubs will be in the playoffs in 3 years. They have two potential all-star outfielders and a potential all-star infielder in their minor league system. Mix that with Rizzo, Castro, and Castillo, the Cubs bats will be there.
And I'm assuming Garza, Smardzija, and Wood are here for the long haul.
The rebuilding process has gone a long ways. The bullpen will suck for another year or two but who cares.
And I'm assuming Garza, Smardzija, and Wood are here for the long haul.
The rebuilding process has gone a long ways. The bullpen will suck for another year or two but who cares.
Garza will be gone in 2 months. Hes a free agent next year; no way the Cubs dont trade him away.
Does it count as quitting on the Cubs if I just quit on baseball after opening week until September? And by that time the Cubs are far enough out of the race I have to pick another team for the Pennant and Playoff picture. I just can't handle 162 games over 7 months.
That's true, the offense hasn't been great. Guys with an ERA of 2.96, a WHIP of 1.10, and better than a 3-1 K/BB ratio in 79 innings has no business being 3-6. The two 1-0 losses are killer, and so are games like last night and the one in Cincy on May 4. In both of those game, Samardzija left the game with a 2-run lead, only to see Marmol **** it up.
But like you said, the offense has been getting better, and I think it will continue to do so. Rizzo has been hitting better lately, and Castro is still quite aways below where it's pretty safe to expect him to hit over the course of the season. The platoon in right is working out okay, and DeJesus has been solid for us in center.
The biggest thing about this that irks me is designating Bowden for assignment. Outside of Gregg and Russell, he's been BY FAR the best reliever for us. I get that you need to make room for Garza, but ship out somebody who's pitching like **** (plenty to choose from there), not one of the few guys who actually has a chance to hold a lead on any given night.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Not so much. It's just not liking baseball a lot, and that's OK.
I fade for a while in July every year. The length of the season does make it tough to keep paying attention.
Putting wins/loses on pitchers is the most worthless stat in baseball. Its rarely reflective of the pitchers performance.
I sure as hell do. I don't want to settle for 70 wins because we insist on giving Marmol the bulk of the bullpen work, and healthy servings to Camp and Rondon, too. Not when we could easily get over .500 (who knows, maybe more than that) with just a little help back there.
Just an addition:
Cubs starters:
16 - 24 ERA 3.64
Cubs relievers
7 - 8, 10 saves, 11 blown saves (Yes, more blown saves than actual saves) ERA ~ 4.26
Cubs starters:
16 - 24 ERA 3.64
Cubs relievers
7 - 8, 10 saves, 11 blown saves (Yes, more blown saves than actual saves) ERA ~ 4.26
We don't insist on giving him the bulk of the bullpen work to help us win. We do it to help him get the numbers to trade him. Unfortunately, it is not working.
That was exactly my point. It's not Samardzija's fault he's not getting many wins. He's arguably been one of the 20 best starters so far this year in all of baseball, but his win total doesn't reflect that. That's because the offense and bullpen sucked early, and the bullpen still sucks now even though the offense has improved quite a bit.
And anyone who's seen him pitch over the past couple years should have known it wasn't going to work. I've been saying for almost two years that we should just cut our losses. He can only hurt you at this point.
That last stat is even more appalling when you consider that Gregg is 6 for 6 since joining the club. Marmol/Fujikawa was 4 for 15.
