Cubs enjoying relief resurgence
Led by Grabow's dominance, bullpen on a roll
By Andrew Simon / MLB.com
CHICAGO -- As the Cubs have fought to keep their postseason hopes alive, their bullpen has been shutting the door on the opposition.
When the White Sox scored twice off Sean Marshall in the ninth inning of Thursday's 5-0 Cubs loss, they broke the bullpen's scoreless streak at 21 2/3 innings. During that stretch, which began on Aug. 27, Cubs relievers had a .118 batting average against. Their success has been fueled by Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg, who have excelled since they switched roles, and Trade Deadline acquisition John Grabow, who has continued to put up zeros.
"We've got some nice arms out there," manager Lou Piniella said. "I think it starts with that."
About a month ago, the 'pen went through a rough patch that coincided with Chicago's fall to the edge of the playoff race. During a 4-9 stretch starting July 31, the team's relief corps gave up at least one run 11 times, and Gregg blew two saves and took two losses.
Gregg was hit with another blown save and loss Aug. 17 at San Diego, and Piniella installed Marmol as the closer, pushing Gregg into a setup role. A little more than a week later, the bullpen began its streak. It helps that Cubs starters have lasted at least six innings in six of the eight games.
"It's just part of the 'pen," Gregg said of the fluctuations in performance. "It's just the way things go. I think it all starts with the starters. The starters have been pitching really well lately, doing their thing of making life easy on us."
The starters' leads have been safe with Marmol, who has converted all four save opportunities since he became the closer, without allowing a run. Marmol has battled his control throughout the season, but he has walked two and struck out seven in those four appearances.
Piniella said the Cubs were looking to the future as well as the rest of this season when they gave Marmol the job.
"This is wonderful experience for him, and he's done a real nice job," Piniella said. "We're pleased with the progress he's shown. Look, he's got the stuff, and certainly he's got the makeup. It's a question of staying within himself."
The move also might have been beneficial for Gregg, who has thrown six scoreless innings since Piniella made the switch. Gregg said he has not done anything differently but is more rested.
"I think physical fatigue set in a little bit, and I kind of got a little out of whack mechanically," he said. "Now I'm kind of getting that back, because I kind of regrouped and got a second wind."
The rest of the bullpen also has contributed, including Angel Guzman and Aaron Heilman, who have combined for seven straight scoreless outings, totaling 8 1/3 frames.
But nobody has held opponents down like Grabow has. The Cubs got him from Pittsburgh on July 30, and the lefty has not allowed a run in his first 16 appearances with his new club, holding the opposition to three hits.
"He's done outstanding," Gregg said. "He's keeping the ball out of the middle of the plate, keeping guys off-balance, pitching the way he can. That's what it's all about, and we gave him a little new life coming from Pittsburgh to here. Anytime you can add a quality lefty, it's nice."
