3 Key Takeaways from the Cubs' Series Win Over Mariners

After dropping the series opener on Friday, Craig Counsell’s group rallied and took the final two games in a three-game set in Seattle. The series victory moves the Cubs to 9-6 through the first 15 games of the season, just 1.5 games out of first place. Following a tough series loss in San Diego to begin the week, there were plenty of promising signs from the pitching staff and lineup to get excited about. 

1. The Bullpen Bounced Back in a Major Way 

After being a major part in blowing an 8-0 lead to begin the week at Petco Park, the stable was nearly flawless this weekend against the Mariners. The bullpen didn’t allow a single earned run in the series. The big inning arms were put to the test in the finale, with Mark Leiter Jr. and Hector Neris securing massive inning-ending double plays when they were needed the most. 

Adbert Alzolay slammed the door shut in back-to-back games en route to collecting his second and third saves of the young season. A game-winning pick off of superstar Julio Rodriguez in the ninth inning is a fun way to win a series, and Alzolay enjoyed every minute of it. 

It’s been known from the start of Spring Training that this team will only go as far as the pitching staff can take them. This idea relies on the bullpen to pull their weight consistently, primarily the big guns. The Cubs got that in this series, and it can only be hoped that this is the standard from the stable going forward.