Statements
The Chicago Cubs' bullpen struck again Tuesday night.
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 surrendering a three-run walk-off home run to Brandon Lowe (TB 5, CHC 2).
Chicago has now lost 13 of its last 18 games.
The Cubs' bullpen now ranks 25th in ERA (4.47).
The Cubs' bullpen now ranks 26th in WHIP (1.37).
The Cubs' bullpen now ranks 22nd in strikeout-to-walk rate (2.23).
The Cubs' bullpen now ranks 27th in win probability added (-0.66) this season.
During this dismal 5-13 stretch, 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 held those leads, we could be discussing a frustrating 8-10 stretch rather than a disastrous 5-13 run.
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.
Neris had walked 17 batters, nearly as many as he had struck out (22).
The various performance estimators indicate there's some smoke and mirrors here: 4.11 ERA and 4.75 xERA.
Neris is 9 for 12 in save chances.
The bullpen's issues are glaring.
The offense managed just two runs on Tuesday and has been averaging 3.89 runs per game during this 5-13 stretch.
The offense could make life much easier for the relievers by scoring more runs.
It feels like the Cubs have no margin for error every night.
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.
The Rays improved to an identical 32-35.
The Cubs' schedule doesn’t get any easier as they continue their series with the Rays.
Matchups with several strong teams are coming in the next 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.
Quotes
"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."
---Chicago Cubs Bullpen Struggles Again in Late-Inning Collapse
Another Night, Another Late-Inning Collapse
The Chicago Cubs' bullpen woes continued Tuesday night as they squandered a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning of the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Nominal closer Hector Neris, signed to a one-year deal worth $9 million over the winter, was unable to secure the victory. Instead, he surrendered a three-run walk-off home run to Brandon Lowe, handing the Rays a 5-2 win.
Statistical Struggles Highlight Bullpen Issues
This latest meltdown encapsulates a dark period for the Cubs, who have now lost 13 of their last 18 games. The bullpen’s performance metrics are a glaring red flag. Ranking 25th in ERA (4.47), 26th in WHIP (1.37), 22nd in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.23), and a dismal 27th in win probability added (-0.66), the bullpen has been a focal point of the Cubs' struggles.
In this 5-13 run, the team has notably lost three games despite leading in the sixth inning or later, and another game that was tied in the seventh. Had the bullpen held those leads, the narrative could be about a frustrating 8-10 stretch instead of a disastrous 5-13 run.
Hector Neris: An Uncertain Closer
Neris entered Tuesday's game with a respectable 2.63 ERA but had walked 17 batters, nearly as many as he had struck out (22). Performance estimators, such as 4.11 ERA and 4.75 xERA, suggest that his numbers may not be fully indicative of his underlying performance. Despite being 9 for 12 in save chances, Neris has become emblematic of the bullpen's broader issues.
Offensive Inconsistencies Compound Problems
While the bullpen has struggled, the offense has done little to ease their burden. On Tuesday, the Cubs managed just two runs, and over the course of this disappointing stretch, they have averaged only 3.89 runs per game. An increase in offensive production could alleviate some of the pressure on the relievers, but that has yet to materialize.
Mediocrity in the National League: A Glimmer of Hope?
Despite their recent struggles and the evident issues within both the bullpen and the batting lineup, there's a sliver of optimism for Chicago. The Cubs are only one game out of a wild-card spot, thanks to widespread mediocrity in the National League. This fact highlights that there is still time to turn things around, though significant improvements are necessary.
The Road Ahead
Tuesday's loss dropped the Cubs to 32-35 on the season, mirroring the Rays' record. The path forward is anything but easy as the Cubs continue their series with Tampa Bay before facing several other formidable teams in the coming weeks. For the Cubs to remain in the wild-card hunt, they will need rapid improvements in both bullpen performance and offensive consistency.
Fan Frustration and Growing Impatience
As losses accumulate, fan patience wears thin. The margin for error continues to shrink, and the team finds itself at a critical juncture. The bullpen's struggles highlight broader issues that span the entire squad. There is still time for a turnaround, but whether the Cubs can seize this pivotal moment remains to be seen.