Wait... I thought Fernando Rodney was pitching poorly?

[Cubbie Swagger]

I watch almost every game, and I felt like Rodney had pitched awfully since we acquired him. It seemed like every time he came in, he gave up walks and hits.

 

I just took a look at his stats... and he has a 1.35 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP with the Cubs. What? Where is he sneaking in all these good innings? Maybe I was just focusing too much on his mistakes?

[bukie]

One could say that about the entire Cub bullpen.

[Sammy Sofa]

He hasn't been as awful as many of us make it out to be, but I feel like most of the damage he's given up have been runners put on by the previous pitcher(s).

[Guest]

He gave up a HR in one outing against Cincy, and had a bad outing in the blown lead last week in St. Louis(those are the only inherited runners he's had as a Cub), but otherwise he's been very solid. 9 K, 3 BB, 4 H in 7.2 IP

[Guest]

One could say that about the entire Cub bullpen.

 

Like usual, people tend to remember and focus on the negatives and forget the positives. I know I'm guilty of that myself at times.

[Cubswin11]

I feel really good about our bullpen in terms of the playoffs, with the schedule (at most 2 days in a row) there really isn't much reason for anyone but Wood, Grimm, Strop and Rondon to pitch the meaningful innings.

[Cubbie Swagger]

I feel really good about our bullpen in terms of the playoffs, with the schedule (at most 2 days in a row) there really isn't much reason for anyone but Wood, Grimm, Strop and Rondon to pitch the meaningful innings.

Unfortunately, I don't feel safe with any of those guys on the mound in the playoffs.

 

We aren't gonna win anything until we have an absolute STOPPER down there that we can call on.

[RynoRules]

I mentioned this in another thread, but Rodney is sporting a 351 ERA+ against a 4.45 FIP. That tells me he'd better continue to miss bats.

[jersey cubs fan]

I feel really good about our bullpen in terms of the playoffs, with the schedule (at most 2 days in a row) there really isn't much reason for anyone but Wood, Grimm, Strop and Rondon to pitch the meaningful innings.

Unfortunately, I don't feel safe with any of those guys on the mound in the playoffs.

 

We aren't gonna win anything until we have an absolute STOPPER down there that we can call on.

Here's your stopper

http://www.drinkstuff.com/productimg/34553.jpg

[Sammy Sofa]

I feel really good about our bullpen in terms of the playoffs, with the schedule (at most 2 days in a row) there really isn't much reason for anyone but Wood, Grimm, Strop and Rondon to pitch the meaningful innings.

Unfortunately, I don't feel safe with any of those guys on the mound in the playoffs.

 

We aren't gonna win anything until we have an absolute STOPPER down there that we can call on.

 

Oh good; THIS narrative again.

[Cubswin11]

You stuff you stoppers in a sack, mister.

[rawaction]

I'm pretty sure Rodney is going to be looked at as the guy in the 7th or 8th inning in the Cubs pen in the playoffs. It was clear once he was acquired that if he pitched halfway decently, Maddon was going to trust him with a late inning role. He's done it before. He's done it in the playoffs. He's done it for Maddon. And I think Maddon values that and that late inning mentality, as witnessed by Motte being closer at one point this season. Hopefully, Rodney keeps up pitching the way he has.

[RynoRules]

I'm pretty sure Rodney is going to be looked at as the guy in the 7th or 8th inning in the Cubs pen in the playoffs. It was clear once he was acquired that if he pitched halfway decently, Maddon was going to trust him with a late inning role. He's done it before. He's done it in the playoffs. He's done it for Maddon. And I think Maddon values that and that late inning mentality, as witnessed by Motte being closer at one point this season. Hopefully, Rodney keeps up pitching the way he has.

 

I haven't done deep dive on how hard he has been hit when contact is made, but his FIP scares me.

[Guest]

I feel really good about our bullpen in terms of the playoffs, with the schedule (at most 2 days in a row) there really isn't much reason for anyone but Wood, Grimm, Strop and Rondon to pitch the meaningful innings.

Unfortunately, I don't feel safe with any of those guys on the mound in the playoffs.

 

We aren't gonna win anything until we have an absolute STOPPER down there that we can call on.

Pick a closer with better numbers than Rondon. We'll wait for you to come back with that.

 

Here's your stopper

http://www.drinkstuff.com/productimg/34553.jpg

hahahahahahahaha

[Guest]

I mentioned this in another thread, but Rodney is sporting a 351 ERA+ against a 4.45 FIP. That tells me he'd better continue to miss bats.

 

The one HR Rodney has given up is the difference between him having a 4.45 FIP and about a 2.80 FIP. Not that the HR didn't happen, but we want to be careful about being too predictive about less than 8 innings, those numbers can change wildly in a short span.

[Sammy Sofa]

His beard, however, is indefensible.

[Guest]

Yes, all forms of 'look at me' facial hair are worthy of scorn.

[Sammy Sofa]

I definitely appreciate that the Cubs have seemingly rejected the disgusting playoff beard tradition.

 

Granted, I have a feeling it's because quite of a few of them couldn't grow a beard if their lives depended on it, but still...appreciated.

[davell]

Rizzo or Castro with facial hair would be disturbing.

[rawaction]

Rizzo or Castro with facial hair would be disturbing.

 

Or Russell. Or Baez. Probably Soler too. Hendricks.

[RynoRules]

I mentioned this in another thread, but Rodney is sporting a 351 ERA+ against a 4.45 FIP. That tells me he'd better continue to miss bats.

 

The one HR Rodney has given up is the difference between him having a 4.45 FIP and about a 2.80 FIP. Not that the HR didn't happen, but we want to be careful about being too predictive about less than 8 innings, those numbers can change wildly in a short span.

 

Yup, good point

[BigSlick]

I'm grateful for the good innings he's given the Cubs so far, but I don't particularly want to see him in high leverage spots in the postseason

 

On the other hand, Grimm, who has been a very effective fireman for most of the season has looked wobbly of late so who knows. Rondon and Strop are both phenomenal.

[Cubbie Swagger]

I feel really good about our bullpen in terms of the playoffs, with the schedule (at most 2 days in a row) there really isn't much reason for anyone but Wood, Grimm, Strop and Rondon to pitch the meaningful innings.

Unfortunately, I don't feel safe with any of those guys on the mound in the playoffs.

 

We aren't gonna win anything until we have an absolute STOPPER down there that we can call on.

Pick a closer with better numbers than Rondon. We'll wait for you to come back with that.

To be honest, I didn't realize how good Rondon's numbers were until just now when I looked them up. As a result, it has just dawned on me that I apparently have a habit of systematically under-appreciating relief pitchers.

 

I'd still rather have Chapman. And, for the record, there are a handful of closers in the league that have better numbers than Rondon.

[Sammy Sofa]

Well, yeah, I'd rather have Mike Trout over Bryant, but hey, sometimes you have to settle for the guy who is just really, really, really good instead of the best.

[Cubbie Swagger]

Well, yeah, I'd rather have Mike Trout over Bryant, but hey, sometimes you have to settle for the guy who is just really, really, really good instead of the best.

Why does it have to be an either/or?