Chicago Cubs may need unlikely bullpen crutch as playoff spot is threatened

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and facing the suddenly real possibility that they could actually miss out on a playoff spot.

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As things stand right now, they are a game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the top National League Wild Card spot. They’re now also just 2.5 and 3 games ahead of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, respectively, for the third Wild Card seed.

The Cubs are fielding a potent offense and an elite defense. Their starting pitching, while spotty, has enough heft to it for this last stretch of the regular season. The problem is that the bullpen is in full-on collapse mode—and it’s dragging the rest of the team down with it.

At this point, there’s almost nobody left in manager Craig Counsell’s circle of reliever trust and no real hope for bullpen fortification beyond the possible return of injured veterans Shelby Miller and Justin Steele and the bullpen conversion of starter Edward Cabrera.

Last name left in the circle of trust?

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With that in mind, Chicago may have to lean on an unlikely crutch the rest of the season, and one of the few bullpen arms actually looking sharp—Aaron Civale.

The 31-year-old righty was a solid waiver acquisition for the Cubs last season and was acquired again this season on July 18 in a minor trade with the A’s. Since rejoining the North Siders, he’s posted a 1.27 ERA through 13 appearances and 28.1 innings pitched as mostly a mop-up guy.

But with the bullpen’s struggles and a corresponding slip down the standings, there’s an emergency “all hands on deck” vibe to the team right now.

Could the Cubs consider using the veteran in a more high-leverage capacity, something that would require shorter outings on more consecutive days?

Civale is down for whatever.

“I’ll take the mound whenever they ask me to,” Civale told The Athletic. “Whether it’s for as many outs as I can or a short outing. I’ve done both since I’ve been here.”

The shift would mean taking one of the few on-point positives from the bullpen and hoping he can adapt to a different game rhythm and different demands on his body.

Counsell’s juggling job

Counsell doesn’t appear to be all the willing to take this risk.

“We have a pitcher that’s pitching really effectively and in a really good role for him,” Counsell told media. “He’s getting important outs. The ability to get more than three outs is a valuable commodity. He’s in a good role right now. He’s been pitching in big innings, and he’s going to continue to.”

Counsell is most definitely not in a good place when it comes to his bullpen. With little in the way of a cavalry riding in to save the day, he’s stuck relying on what he has and maybe shuffling things around in hopes of catching a few breaks. Time will tell if his juggling job is going to be good enough.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-bullpen-crutch-aaron-civale-craig-counsell/