Cubs bullpen success hardly seems possible
The current Cubs bullpen features four players over the age of 36, two with more starts than relief appearances during their major-league careers, and five who weren't on the opening day roster.
Over the past month, since May 14, that bullpen leads MLB with an astounding 0.90 ERA, according to Fangraphs.com and heading into Thursday's action. Second-best during that time frame is the Giants, with a 2.12 ERA.
Over the past 30 days, four Cubs relievers have pitched more than 10 scoreless innings — Brad Keller, Ryan Pressly, Chris Flexen and Caleb Thielbar.
“Pretty resilient group down there,” Keller said. “We had some changes, but it's just everyone piggybacking off of each other. One guy goes in there and does his job, you just want to continue to do that, put up zeros.
“It's been fun. We're a real close-knit group.”
Keller is a great example. He came up as a starter with Kansas City and didn't have great success. The past two seasons, he spent as much time in the minors as the majors, toiling for the Royals, White Sox and Red Sox.
Better health and increased velocity helped turn him into one of the Cubs' bullpen stars this year. Keller's four-seam fastball is averaging 97 miles per hour this season, compared to 93.8 mph in 2024.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell talked about how bullpen success can spread across the group.
“They're getting their outs, (which means) somebody's not getting up (to take over),” Counsell said. “They're getting more rest. They're getting the best matchups, hopefully, for themselves and for the next guy. All that carries over, and I think it has an effect. And it's a credit to them, they're working as a unit.”
PCA paid time off
Pete Crow-Armstrong got his first day off of the season Wednesday in Philadelphia. With a left-hander pitching, day game following a night game, manager Craig Counsell thought it was the right time.
“I don't know if he like looked physically like (he needed a day off), but I just think it was the right day to do it,” Counsell said. “Pete was not happy. He just wants to go out there and play. Disappointed is probably the better word.”
A rested Crow-Armstrong hit his 18th home run of the season in the fourth inning Thursday.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson is the last Cub with a chance to play all 162 games this year, something he did in 2022 with Atlanta. With the Cubs in the midst of playing 26 games in 27 days, Counsell said time off is on his radar, but has nothing planned for Swanson right now.
Injury updates
Reliever Porter Hodge (left oblique strain) will begin a rehab stint at Triple-A Iowa on Friday. … Javier Assad (left oblique strain) has progressed to throwing bullpens. … Catcher Miguel Amaya ((left oblique strain) is still in the healing phase. …
Pitcher Shota Imanaga (left hamstring strain) will pitch his second rehab outing Saturday in the Arizona rookie league. Then he'll make a third appearance with one of the minor-league affiliates, according to Craig Counsell.