Bullpen

With six wins in their last seven games, the Cubs are on a roll. With two more games against the cellar-dwelling Washington Nationals, the team has a great shot at being an above-.500 team by Monday morning.

There are those who pointed at the bullpen for the team’s early failures. I wanted to take a moment and study the Cubs bullpen to see what can be done.

Ryan Dempster – Closer

Dempster has earned six saves in six save opportunities. The guy has returned to 2005 form after a lackluster 2006. His poor showing last year may have been attributed to a lack of interest since the Cubs hardly competed. This year he is carrying a 2.40 ERA and with seventeen strikeouts (in fifteen innings). Teams are hitting .140 against him. Manager Lou Piniella is not using him exclusively in the ninth inning, occasionally having him pitch in the eighth, and making him a more useful component of the bullpen. Dempster is our 2007 closer.

Bobby Howry – Set up man/Right hander

Two losses and a blown save opportunity show that Howry has had his off days. He has still been very effective in the seventh and eighth innings this year. He carries a 3.00 ERA and is getting the job done as a workhorse this spring. Howry is our righthanded set-up man.

Scott Eyre – Set up man/Left hander

One loss and two blown save opportunities sound even with Howry, but Eyre has had a tougher time. His ERA is a sky-high 12.27 although he has earned twelve strikeouts in seven and a third innings pitched. When he is on, Eyre is a fierce competitor. Piniella has learned to use a quick hook if necessary. Entering his eleventh year in the bigs, Eyre will settle down into the pitcher we expect. Eyre is our lefthanded set-up man.

Wil Ohman – Specialist/Left hander

That Ohman has only a single loss to his credit is surprising. Listening to fans, it seems that Ohman should have taken credit for most of the Cubs early losses. His ERA is 4.50, which is larger than you like, but not embarrassing. He has only allowed four runs and six hits in twelve outings. Hitters are only hitting .200 off of him. Piniella uses a quick hook on this one too, keeping him out of real trouble. He is no longer considered a long man, coming in to pitch to one or two left-handed hitters at a time. If he misses, he’s out in favor of Wuertz or Howry. Some fans are ready to let go, but he has not proven himself a goat just yet. Ohman is our lefthanded specialist.

Rocky Cherry – Specialist/Right hander

Rookie Rocky could be the closer of the future on this club. Piniella is bringing him along slowly, letting him finish blow-outs and facing a tough right-handed hitter or two. He earned a loss in his first appearance as a Cub, but has settled down and pitch well since, even earning his first win. Watch this fellow to stay in Cubbie blue for a long time. For now, Cherry is our righthanded specialist.

Neal Cotts – Long man/Left hander

People worried over Cotts during spring training. A long-shot for the fifth starter role, Cotts buried himself early. As a long man from the pen this year, he has allowed no earned runs, no unearned runs, and struck out eight in nine innings pitched. Piniella has used him carefully, but Cotts has delivered when called upon. Neal Cotts is our lefthanded long man.

Michael Wuertz – Long man/Right hander

There were those, including myself, who had doubts that Wuertz would make the team out of spring training. Keeping him with the team has been a good call. Along with Howry, Wuertz has been a workhorse, throwing fourteen and two-thirds innings this year in fourteen appearances. That means, he has appeared in over half of the games so far. His ERA is a barely perceptible 1.23. Opposing teams are only hitting .218 against him. If a starter blows up, Wuertz and Cotts are able to keep the Cubs in the game. Wuertz is our righthanded long man.

Angel Guzman gets a special mention having thrown especially well in four games. He impressed the team enough he is getting a shot at the fifth starting job. He has been planned for three starts this May, even though his three starts in Iowa were miserable. Time will tell if he has what it takes.

As it is, the Cubs have a strong bullpen. There will be bad days and melt-downs, but overall, this is a balanced, effective pen. This will be a fun season to watch.