Da Windy City
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Chicago Cubs: The unbiased opinion of a White Sox fan

By Rob Schwarz Jr

LAS VEGAS - MARCH 05: Stephanie Magnuson, 8, of Nevada holds a sign before an exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox at Cashman Field March 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS - MARCH 05: Stephanie Magnuson, 8, of Nevada holds a sign before an exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox at Cashman Field March 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Woe Cubs Woe

With the aforementioned hitting stats, the Cubs have to have an awful pitching staff right? As a White Sox fan, I can empathize with a solid batting lineup that is constantly derailed by bad pitching. Wait a minute. These numbers are not as bad as some Cubs fans would like to believe.

Before I dive in here, obviously numbers do not always tell the entire story. The team is in a three-way race to try and win the NL Central. Watching any lead falter or seeing the team blow a close game has to be frustrating. The Cubs should be walking away with this division. Instead, they are currently one game behind the Cardinals and 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Alright, now down to the numbers. The team is currently sixth in the league with a 4.04 combined ERA. This includes the bullpen, not just the starters. The starters actually have a 3.78 combined ERA. This is impressive. Their worst starting pitcher from an ERA standpoint this season is Yu Darvish with a 4.54. This number continues to come down as the starter has looked sharp as of late.

light. Hot. Chicago Cubs: No more excuses

The Cubs main contributors in the bullpen have a combined 4.43 ERA and that includes Craig Kimbrel who has yet to find his footing. Kimbrel has a 6.75 ERA on the season. He is clearly rusty since being added as the Cubs closer via free agency in June.

The rust should shake off before any playoff run, but the team needs to get there first. Over his last seven games, his ERA has been 4.50. Kimbrel has two blown saves this year. He has not had more than five blown saves a year since his first full season in 2011. He should be fine and fans should not worry too much. At least not yet.

As a whole, the Cubs relievers are ranked 10th with a 4.20 ERA. Yes. I know that is shocking if you follow any Cubs fans’ social media. That number is shocking if you listen to local sports radio. This is the benefit of being a contender for the last five years. Fans and analysts can become hyper-critical of the team. I do not fault anyone who wants to see better, but the numbers prove the team is better than just good.

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