Statements:
The Chicago Cubs' bullpen struck again Tuesday night, surrendering another heartbreaking loss.
The Cubs took a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning in the first game of a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Nominal closer Hector Neris melted down, eventually giving up a three-run walk-off home run to Brandon Lowe, leading to a final score of TB 5, CHC 2.
The Struggles of the Cubs' Bullpen
Chicago has now lost 13 of its last 18 games. The bullpen's performance is a major factor in this dismal stretch. The Cubs' bullpen now ranks 25th in ERA (4.47), 26th in WHIP (1.37), and 22nd in strikeout-to-walk rate (2.23). Even more troubling, they rank 27th in win probability added (-0.66) this season.
During this rough patch, the Cubs have notably lost three games despite leading in the sixth inning or later. On another occasion, they lost a game that was tied in the seventh inning. If the bullpen had managed to hold those leads, we could be discussing a frustrating 8-10 stretch rather than a disastrous 5-13 run.
Hector Neris: A Closer Look
Hector Neris was signed to a one-year deal worth $9 million over the winter. Neris entered Tuesday's game with a respectable 2.63 ERA. However, his underlying stats reveal some cause for concern. He had walked 17 batters, nearly as many as he had struck out (22), suggesting control issues. Performance estimators indicate there's some smoke and mirrors at play: his 4.11 ERA and 4.75 xERA reflect potential trouble. Neris is 9 for 12 in save opportunities, but the bullpen's issues are glaring.
Offensive Woes
While the bullpen has been a significant problem, the offense hasn't provided much support either. The Cubs managed just two runs on Tuesday and have been averaging only 3.89 runs per game during this 5-13 stretch. The offense could make life easier for the relievers by scoring more runs, thereby reducing the pressure on a shaky bullpen. Instead, it feels like the Cubs have no margin for error every night.
Despite Struggles, A Silver Lining
Despite the shaky bullpen, inconsistent offense, and a 5-13 record in the last 18 games, there is a silver lining: the Cubs are only one game out of a wild-card spot. Mediocrity is widespread in the National League, and plenty of time remains to turn things around. Clearly, though, the Cubs have problems that need fixing. Tuesday's loss dropped Chicago to 32-35 on the season, while the Rays improved to an identical 32-35.
Looking Forward
The Cubs' schedule doesn’t get any easier as they continue their series with the Rays. They face matchups with several strong teams in the coming weeks. If Chicago hopes to stay in the wild-card race, improvements need to come quickly in both bullpen performance and offensive output. Fans are growing impatient, and the margin for error is shrinking. The Cubs are at a critical juncture.
The bullpen's struggles have highlighted a larger issue that extends to the entire team's performance. There is still time for a turnaround. Whether they can seize the moment remains to be seen.
"The Chicago Cubs bullpen struck again Tuesday night."
"Nominal closer Hector Neris melted down, eventually surrendering a three-run walk-off home run to Brandon Lowe."
"Chicago has now lost 13 of its last 18 games."