The Chicago Cubs' bullpen troubles continue to haunt them, as illustrated by Tuesday night's disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Cubs entered the ninth inning with a 2-1 lead, hopeful to secure a victory in the first game of their three-game series. Unfortunately, closer Hector Neris faltered under pressure, giving up a crushing three-run walk-off home run to Brandon Lowe, resulting in a 5-2 defeat.
Disheartening Trends
The defeat adds to a troubling pattern for the Cubs, who have now lost 13 of their last 18 games. The bullpen's performance has been particularly concerning, currently ranking 25th in ERA (4.47), 26th in WHIP (1.37), 22nd in strikeout-to-walk rate (2.23), and 27th in win probability added (-0.66) this season. Throughout this dismal 5-13 stretch, the Cubs have squandered leads late in games, losing three times after leading in the sixth inning or later and another game that was tied in the seventh inning.
If the bullpen had managed to hold onto these leads, the narrative could have been significantly different, potentially discussing a less disastrous 8-10 record instead of the current 5-13 run.
The Hector Neris Dilemma
One focal point of the bullpen's issues has been Hector Neris, who was signed to a one-year deal worth $9 million over the winter. Despite entering Tuesday's game with a respectable 2.63 ERA, Neris’s underlying statistics suggested trouble. He had walked 17 batters, alarmingly close to the 22 batters he had struck out. Performance estimators like his 4.11 FIP and 4.75 xERA indicated that there was more to his success than met the eye. The walk-off home run allowed to Lowe was a harsh reminder of these underlying issues.
In save opportunities, Neris has converted nine out of twelve chances. However, the more glaring issue is the broader inconsistency within the bullpen, which continues to cost the team crucial games.
Offensive Woes
While the bullpen has struggled, the offense has also been inconsistent. The Cubs managed to score just two runs on Tuesday and have averaged a mere 3.89 runs per game during this 5-13 stretch. The lack of offensive output has only exacerbated the pressure on an already shaky bullpen. With minimal runs being scored, the margins for error have become paper-thin each night.
Despite these significant challenges, there is a silver lining. The Cubs are still only one game out of a wild-card spot, thanks in part to widespread mediocrity in the National League. This parity leaves plenty of time for the Cubs to right the ship and make a playoff push.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday's loss drops the Cubs to 32-35 on the season, matching the Rays’ identical record. As the Cubs continue their series with the Rays and face several strong teams in the coming weeks, the need for improvement becomes ever more urgent. To stay in the wild-card race, the Cubs need to quickly address their bullpen’s inadequacies and find ways to generate more consistent offensive production.
Fans, meanwhile, are growing impatient. The team's recent struggles have heightened anxiety and decreased the margin for error moving forward. The Cubs are now at a critical juncture, where continued poor performance could derail their season, while even modest improvements could reignite their playoff hopes.
Conclusion
The bullpen's struggles have highlighted a larger issue that extends to the entire team's performance. There is still time for a turnaround, but it will require significant effort and adjustments from both the bullpen and the offense. Whether the Cubs can seize this moment and reverse their fortunes remains to be seen. For now, fans will continue to watch closely, hoping for signs of resilience and reinvigoration in the days to come.