The Cubs' bullpen has been key since the all-star break. Can they keep it up?

After the Cubs completed a 5-2 homestand with a 6-4 victory over the Braves on Sunday, one veteran reporter asked manager David Ross about his overtaxed bullpen.

Ross pushed back a bit, saying the Cubs must "grab wins" when they can and that he'll "deal with tomorrow tomorrow."

The 'pen has indeed seen a tremendous amount of work of late, tossing 53.2 innings since July 25 - the second-highest total in baseball.

So Ross and his staff must be careful that Adbert Alzolay, Mark Leiter Jr., Michael Fulmer and Co. aren't running on fumes down the stretch. The last thing the Cubs need is an injury to pop up or guys becoming ineffective due to overuse.

Ross has faith that neither situation will transpire.

"Check every guy when we can," Ross said. "These guys are very honest with us. I take pride in how they communicate and how they are open and honest with how they're feeling: 'I can give you one. I can give you multiples. I feel great. I feel terrible.'

"That's a daily process that we go through - and it's a good process, so I'm going to continue to lean on my coaching staff in that area."

While Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson and Christopher Morel often steal the headlines, it's guys like Leiter Jr., Fulmer, Alzolay and Julian Merryweather that have been the unsung heroes of the Cubs' sizzling 15-4 hot streak they took into New York on Monday.

Here's a closer look:

• Fulmer, whose ERA was a putrid 7.84 on May 27, has allowed an earned run in just 4 of his last 26 appearances. Opponents are hitting a paltry .177 against him over that time. Fulmer came in Sunday with the bases loaded in the sixth inning and - although he hit Ronald Acuna Jr. with a pitch - he struck out the next two hitters to preserve the Cubs' 5-4 lead.

"I wouldn't say it was anything mental or physical," Fulmer said of his early struggles. "I'm just glad I can be trusted in spots that ultimately decide the game sometimes. Just happy to get the job done."

• Leiter Jr. has been a fantastic story. The 32-year-old had only 114 major league innings through 2018, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and is now one of the most important pieces of Ross' staff. Leiter Jr. has given up only 30 hits in 49 innings while walking 16 and striking out 64. He's given up 1 earned run in his last 11.1 IP and pitched in four of the last five games on the homestand.

"To come in and have the stuff that he has and feels good enough to go out and want the ball?" Fulmer said Sunday after Leiter retired the Braves in order in the eighth. "It speaks volumes."

• Alzolay has turned into one of the best closers in the league, converting 10 straight save opportunities. Alzolay did allow a 2-run homer to the Braves' Matt Olson on Saturday, but he's been remarkably consistent all season. Alzolay owns the team's best ERA (2.54) and has only walked 7 while striking out 55 in 49.2 IP.

"He likes the moment," Ross said. "He's wired the right way. Just got to go out and continue to prove that. Experience will help."

• Javier Assad has a 1.04 ERA in his last 10 appearances. Leiter Jr. called Assad one of the best pitchers in baseball after he made a spot start for the injured Marcus Stroman on Saturday.

"He's able to do so many different things for us," Leiter Jr. said. "He's one of the most valuable players on our team for sure."

• Then there's Julian Merryweather, who had thrown just 52.2 career innings coming into this season. The Cubs claimed the 31-year-old off waivers from Toronto, and he's used a 99-mph fastball to keep hitters off balance for much of the season. Merryweather has a 3.60 ERA in 50 IP.

• Recent addition Jose Cuas, who came to the Cubs via trade from the Royals on July 31, had a 4.54 ERA with Kansas City but has yet to allow a run in 3 innings with the Cubs.

"He has got some nasty stuff," Fulmer said. "Glad he's on our team."

• Finally, we shouldn't leave out Daniel Palencia. The 23-year-old struggled in his last outing, but looked terrific in 8 of his other 9 appearances.

To be sure, it's been an impressive group of late. Still, it would help if the starters go deep against the Mets and Blue Jays in the coming days.

But down the stretch, Fulmer expects everyone to keep doing their jobs.

"Everybody down there has done a phenomenal job, no matter what role they're in or how many times they've pitched in the last few days," Fulmer said. "We have a lot of fun down there. Sometimes we bend, but as long as we don't break that's all that matters. We're getting wins and chasing the division (leader)."