Fansided

3 reasons not to panic about Cubs slow start

By Joshua Sadlock

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 24: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on April 24, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 24: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on April 24, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 13: Carl Edwards Jr. #6 of the Chicago Cubs piches against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on April 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 13: Carl Edwards Jr. #6 of the Chicago Cubs piches against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on April 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. The bullpen has been dominant

The starting rotation has fallen flat on its face so far this season, but the Chicago bullpen has more than picked up the slack. Theo Epstein’s decision to pass on spending big for an established closer to sign multiple setup men looks smart. Brandon Morrow’s rise from the ashes to relief stardom has continued, as he has yet to allow a run in seven innings as the team’s closer.

Perhaps the biggest reason to be excited about the performance of the Cubs bullpen has been the start turned in by Carl Edwards. The 26-year-old struggled in the second half last year and was knocked around in the NLDS. Edwards has struck out 20 of the first 43 hitters he has faced this year and has a 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings without allowing a home run. Control was the big issue for the right-hander last year, but he has cut his walk rate from 5.2 per nine to a manageable 3.4 per nine.

Veteran sidearmer Steve Cishek has also pitched well in his first season with the Cubs. He has also kept the ball in the yard while striking out close to a batter an inning. Lefty specialist Brian Duensing has also excelled in his role, allowing only four hits in 7.1 innings without a run.

Epstein has shown little interest in investing in a long-term closer since taking over the Cubs, and it has worked out well for him. It is slightly troubling that lefties Mike Montgomery and Justin Wilson have combined for 15 walks in 19 innings, but the rest of the group is firing on all cylinders.

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