Cubs Bullpen in Free Fall | MLB News

0:00On September 2nd, the Chicago Cubs are facing some serious bullpen struggles again and it's costing them games. They recently lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, blowing a three-run lead in the sixth inning. It wasn't just one pitcher. Every reliever who came in gave up at least one run. This loss is a big deal because it dropped them to second place in the wildcard standings, meaning they'd have to play on the road if the season ended today. Just a few weeks ago, it seemed like manager Craig Council had a solid group of relievers, but things have unraveled since then. Their bullpen isn't striking out enough batters and they're giving up a lot of home runs, the most in baseball actually. While their earned run average lets okay on paper, their underlying numbers suggest they're actually one of the worst bullpen in the league. The team's offense has been trying to mass these issues, but it's a tough spot to be in. There aren't many easy fixes right now, other than hoping pitchers like Daniel Polensia and Ryan's effigyon can find their rhythm. The return of Edward Cabrera could help, but he's never pitched in relief before, so it's not a straightforward solution.

1:04The offense also had a quiet night after a big game the day before. While they've been relying on home runs lately, they went hitless for the last three innings. A bright spot though was Rookie B.J. Murray getting his first majorly hit. He was called up from Triple A after a strong season and it's good to see him get that milestone. Even the defense, usually a strong suit for the Cubs, had some uncharacteristic mistakes. While they didn't technically commit any errors, a drop fly ball and a ball call helped the brewers get back into the game. It highlights how much the team relies on playing stellar defense, and when that falters, combined with bullpen issues, it's a recipe for trouble. Especially with the playoffs approaching. MLB News Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters on the diamond.