Colin Rea has been putting in the work for the Chicago Cubs, giving them a fighting chance in his last couple of starts. Yet, despite his efforts, the bullpen has struggled to keep it together, leading to disappointing finishes.
In a recent face-off against the Brewers, Rea held his ground against their ace, Jacob Misiorowski. However, things took a turn for the worse in the late innings, resulting in a 6-2 loss for the Cubs.
The Cubs' bullpen is in a bit of a bind, no thanks to injuries and underwhelming performances from their big offseason acquisitions. This has left them leaning heavily on pitchers like Ethan Roberts and Jayden Murray in high-stakes situations. Unfortunately, Murray, who just joined from the Astros, hasn't found his groove yet, surrendering six earned runs and two homers in his first two outings.
Now, let's talk about Scott Barlow. On paper, his acquisition might not have seemed like a game-changer for the Cubs.
But with the bullpen in dire straits, there's little risk in exploring what Barlow might bring to the table. Recently released by the Athletics, Barlow's stats this year don't exactly jump off the page-36 appearances with a 6.48 ERA and a 6.44 FIP.
But let's dig a little deeper.
Away from the hitter-friendly confines of Sacramento, Barlow has shown flashes of brilliance. Over 17 2/3 innings, he's posted an impressive 1.02 ERA and a 0.679 WHIP.
His breaking pitches are well above average, and his swing-and-miss capability ranks him among the best in the league. It's worth considering whether a change of scenery could unlock his potential and provide the Cubs with a reliable arm in the bullpen.
For a team searching for solutions, Scott Barlow might just be the low-risk, high-reward option they need. It's time for the Cubs to make that call and see if Barlow can be the missing piece in their bullpen puzzle.
In Other News...
Cubs May Already Have A Carson Kelly Backup Plan Brewing
Carson Kelly has given the Cubs exactly what they hoped for this season, settling in as a reliable force behind the plate and making himself one of the more appealing catchers headed toward free agency. The problem for Chicago is that a strong year from Kelly only sharpens the next question, because the front office is juggling more than one roster need and cant treat catcher as the only item on the list.
If Kelly prices himself into a different tier this winter, the Cubs may need a cleaner backup plan than simply hoping everything works out. The organization has internal options it can sort through if he departs, but it is also keeping an eye on the future at the position, where the 2026 draft could offer a long-term answer and help shape what Chicago looks like behind the plate in the years ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Just Sent Another Message To The Brewers And The Central
The Cubs kept rolling with another tight win over Milwaukee, outlasting the Brewers 4-3 in extra innings and backing up Sundays victory with a second straight statement against the division leader. Chicago has now won 8 of its last 10, and the timing matters, because the club is trying to turn a strong stretch into something more meaningful in the NL Central race.
The pitching staff did its part again, piecing together 10 innings with 12 strikeouts and just two earned runs allowed while the offense found enough late to push ahead. Seiya Suzuki came through in the 10th with a clutch two-run single, and the Cubs even had to manage a late Brewers push before finally closing the door, a reminder that this kind of momentum only counts if they can keep stacking nights like this. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Fans Are Running Out Of Patience With Alex Bregman
Alex Bregmans first season with the Cubs has been short on the kind of impact Chicago expected, and the unease around his bat has only grown as the summer has worn on. He has struggled to produce in big spots, especially with runners in scoring position, where the numbers have sunk well below what a middle-of-the-order hitter is supposed to provide.
The frustration is not just about missed chances at the plate, either. In a recent game against the Brewers, Bregman drew heat for the way he handled a ground ball in the box, a moment that fit the broader concern around his season: the Cubs are still waiting for the version of him that changes games, not the one who keeps leaving fans wanting more. [Read more 🡒]