Joe Maddon not too concerned about Chicago Cubs bullpen’s struggles
The Chicago Cubs are playing well despite the team’s struggling bullpen. Manager Joe Maddon expressed his confidence that the players in the unit can turn things around and be a strength of the team.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of securing a playoff spot. They are 35-17 in the second half, one of the best records in baseball.
They are doing it despite a bullpen that is struggling. That bullpen has nineteen blown saves. Even when securing wins, they are shaky. Since the All Star break, the relievers rank 21st in MLB with a 4.33 ERA.
Going into the playoffs, this is a big concern, right?
According to manager Joe Maddon, not so much.
“I’m really confident with Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon and now Fernando Rodney in there,” Maddon said. “I like that a lot actually, and Clayton Richard can be in that group also.
“Physically we have the ability to nail those innings down. Now, we haven’t arrived at the Royals’ abilities or consistency yet, but physically we’re there.”
Maddon also mentioned that Jason Motte, a reliever who has playoff experience, is probably out for the season, so he is not an option.
Maddon feels they just need to get their confidence back.
“It’s just getting them to get their confidence,” Maddon said. “Listen, most or all of them are having very good years.
“We’ve just got to get their confidence right and try to avoid overusing them. I think they’re all in pretty good order right now. It was just a tough night for Justin. I’m not concerned about them… I have great confidence in them. I just want to make sure their confidence is in order going forward.”
One way Maddon has tried to get the relievers’ confidence up is by giving them short outings. That is what he did with Strop after he got knocked around by the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the week.
On Friday, Maddon put Strop in for just one-third of an inning, just to get him settled. He came into the game on Saturday and threw a scoreless inning.
Maddon has the advantage of having an expanded roster in September. He can afford to play around a little, but he has to keep the playoff run in mind.
If the Cubs can clinch early enough to play around with the bullpen a bit more, he should continue what he did with Strop. If he can get the guys in the bullpen to get on a bit of a roll, it will help the Cubs make a long playoff run.
One addition to the bullpen in the playoffs that could boost their play is having Dan Haren go there. At most, the Cubs would need just four starters in the rotation (maybe even just three to have Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester pitch more), which would have Haren throw from the bullpen.
Haren has had mixed results as the fifth starter, but he can go three or four innings and be dependable.
Remember the run the Kansas City Royals made. Their starters only needed to go six innings and the bullpen shut it down the rest of the way. The relievers only need to get on a roll for a few weeks in playoff time.
There is no better motivator in the league than Maddon. If someone can get the bullpen to get going, it is Maddon. Hopefully he can get that job done.
Next: Chicago Cubs Need To End The Dan Haren Project
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