Cubs president doesn't solely blame pen for slump
Cubs president Theo Epstein usually takes a wider worldview of things, so it wasn't surprising Thursday to hear him discuss his team's recent woes in a balanced manner.
While much of the public and media focus has been on the bullpen, Epstein says there are plenty of reasons the Cubs entered Thursday's makeup game against the Atlanta Braves with a record of 5-12 since June 19.
The start of the game was delayed 1 hour, 35 minutes by rain. The Braves held a 2-0 lead over the Cubs and starting pitcher Jason Hammel after five innings. Nick Markakis' 2-run homer in the first got the Braves going. Hammel left the game in the sixth inning with cramping in his right hand.
But the Cubs rallied with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the eighth inning to score 3 runs and take a 3-2 lead. Ben Zobrist had an RBI double, and Willson Contreras followed with a 2-run triple to cap the rally. However, in the ninth inning, Markakis tied the game with a leadoff homer off Cubs closer Hector Rondon. The Braves finally won it 4-3 in the 11th on an RBI single by Tyler Flowers off Spencer Patton.
Rondon's blown save no doubt will have fans talking about the pen, but Epstein talked before the game of the entire team.
"I don't think it's fair to put this recent downturn in performance exclusively at the feet of the bullpen," Epstein said. "The reality is we haven't quite had our same relentless, grinding approach at the plate for the last month or so that we had, say, in April. We've had a rough turn or two through the rotation, which is to be expected. They were pitching at a historic pace.
"Every element of the club has played some part in us not playing our best baseball recently. Sometimes it seems most obvious with the bullpen. The pen usually gives up the big hit. That's just the way baseball works. It's not all the bullpen's fault. I don't want to turn them into the sort of fall guy here."
That's not to say the Cubs won't look to upgrade their relief corps, either through a trade or a call-up.
"If I had to make a prediction, I'll say that we're going to get some help from somebody who's currently in the pen who's not locked in yet, at least one of those guys will lock in and pitch really well," Epstein said. "And then someone who's not with us now but who is still in the organization will come up and pitch really well. Clayton Richard is throwing extremely well right now (on a rehab assignment).
"I think we'll add. I think there's a good chance we'll make a deal that will help us in the pen, as well."
After Wednesday's loss to the Reds, manager Joe Maddon said the current woes were a "snapshot" of where the team is. Epstein echoed that a day later.
"Honestly, I think it's sort of baseball reality," he said. "It's hard to win at the pace, virtually impossible to win at the pace we were winning at earlier in the season the whole year. Every team, even championship-caliber clubs, go through a month or so where they play .500 or so baseball.
"People ask me, and there's this narrative out there: 'Is it fair to be concerned?' I say, 'Of course, it's fair to be concerned because baseball's really hard.' It's hard to play at a consistently excellent level for 162 games. So there should always be an element of concern. There should always be concern, even when we were 25-6 because that stuff doesn't last forever."
"But if it's fair to be concerned, then it's also just as fair if not more fair to be very excited about what this team is and what they're capable of and what the foundation is, the foundation for this year as well as the future and what the nature of this team is. It's not perfect, but it's really, really good. We trust them."
After the game, Hammel termed his hand ailment "frustrating." He was asked if the injury was due to dehydration.
"I wish I could give you the honest answer to that," he said. "I have no idea. It's not like I didn't prepare like I always do."
The game turned a bit testy in the ninth inning after Markakis' homer. Rondon came inside on Jeff Francoeur, who seemed to take exception to something catcher Contreras said from behind the plate. Earlier in the game, Braves pitchers hit Kris Bryant twice, forcing him out of the game with a stiff left knee. Anthony Rizzo also was hit by a pitch. Benches emptied after the Cubs came inside on Francoeur, but no punches were thrown.
"I called a fastball in, and he (Francoeur) doesn't appreciate that," Contreras said. "We were just trying to go in with him. After he started talking to me, I just stood up in front of him. I just care about my team. I'm just trying to protect my pitcher."
Maddon down played the incident.
"I think Francoeur thought we were throwing at him based on the fact that they hit several of our guys," he said. "If you noticed, I was not really upset because I really believe their young pitchers just missed. I think there's definitely a difference between intent and a ball (getting) away from a guy without intent. KB's (Bryant's) was a breaking ball. The ball that hit Riz was legit; that was a fastball. But I don't think anything was malicious on their part. So Francoeur took exception, which he should not have."
Scouting report
Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet Friday; FOX Saturday; WGN Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Jake Arrieta (12-3) vs. Francisco Liriano (5-8) Friday at 6:05 p.m.; Jon Lester (9-4) vs. Chad Kuhl (1-0) Saturday at 6:15 p.m.; John Lackey (7-5) vs. Jonathon Niese (7-6) Sunday at 12:35 p.m.
At a glance: The Cubs are 8-1 against the Pirates this year, 3-0 in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have put it together recently and are battling it out with the St. Louis Cardinals for second place in the NL Central as both try to catch the slumping Cubs. Starling Marte entered Thursday for the Pirates with a line of .318/.362/.467 with 6 homers and 31 RBI. Gregory Polanco was at .291/.367/.510 with 12 homers and 50 RBI. Despite their recent troubles, the Cubs still entered Thursday the NL in ERA, even though it had crept over 3.00 to 3.19. The Cubs also led the league in runs scored, on-base percentage and walks taken.
Next: Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field, July 15-17
- Bruce Miles