The Most Important Starts of the Early Season
I think we all agree, it is early. While there are a lot of people freaking out because the Chicago Cubs haven’t lived up to their incredible expectations, it is early. Sometimes though, early is important. Ask the 2015 Cubs. If that team started the season as hot as they ended it, they win the National League Central.
The Cubs are now third in the Central, following the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds. Sitting at 16-15 following a three game sweep by the New York Yankees, there certainly is some cause for concern.
Now I still hold to my preseason prediction that this team will struggle at first, but eventually win 92-95 games. But that prediction might get threatened this week.
How or why you ask? I’ll be happy to explain.
Let’s start with this weekend series with the Yankees. The bullpen was beat up, like bad. In the last two games of the weekend series, the Cubs pen pitched 19 innings, 11 of which were in Sunday’s 18 inning marathon. This just further strains the most worked bullpen in baseball, coming into the Colorado Rockies series with 124 1/3 innings pitched.
Luckily the first game in Colorado was rained out, it gives some much needed rest to guys that have been worked hard. Also luckily, the Cubs will have the benefit of a 26th man for the afternoon/night doubleheader on Tuesday – which will certainly be a pitcher. In addition to the 26th man, the Cubs placed Jason Heyward on the 10-day disabled list, and called up Dylan Floro from Triple-A Iowa.
So the Cubs will have a 10-reliever pen on Tuesday.
While 10 arms in the bullpen gives Joe Maddon flexibility, we shouldn’t be quick to send games to the pen. The Cubs starters need to pitch deep into these next three games. In fact, it is imparitive that Jake Arrieta and John Lackey minimize the innings the bullpen sees.
It is important because, outside of a freak rainout, the Cubs have only two days off in the next 36 days. If the pen doesn’t get rest now, it could have negative effects the rest of the season, and could hurt them during an incredibly important stretch beginning this weekend.
After the Cubs play the Rox, the fly to St. Louis to play the Cardinals – who are currently in first place. Then then head out to Cincinnati, and finish up the week against the Milwaukee Brewers. This next week, while still early, could go a long way in who will win the Central.
I know, it’s odd saying something like this with roughly four and a half months left in the season, but… sometimes early is important.
