The Cubs’ bullpen delivered a much-needed steady performance while the Pittsburgh Pirates are running out of time in the National League wild-card race entering Sunday’s series finale in Chicago.
Chicago (83-66) holds a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL’s top wild-card spot. The Pirates (74-75) are 6 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres for the third and final wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh let a 3-2 lead in the eighth-inning slip away on Saturday. The Cubs scored twice in the inning despite collecting just one hit as Pirates reliever Gregory Soto issued two walks and hit two batters in Chicago’s 4-3 victory.
Pirates manager Don Kelly knew his club let an important one get away.
“There’s no doubt that one hurts,” Kelly said. “We have to find a way. We’ve done it this season. We have to show up with that same mindset and go out and attack.”
While the Cubs’ relievers have struggled lately, they combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings on Saturday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two.
Ryan Rolison threw 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and said results are all that matter as the season hits the stretch run.
“This time of year it’s a full team effort,” Rolison said. “Whatever you can do to get outs, whatever it takes, it takes a full team effort.”
In 54 appearances, Rolison has gone 9-1 with two saves, seven holds and a 2.76 ERA. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised the effort the left-hander has given.
“Ryan has pitched really well,” Counsell said. “Better than the line has shown lately and we are going to need to count on him for big outs.”
Even though the Chicago bullpen wasn’t needed in Friday’s 12-2 blowout, Counsell knows it’s all about weathering the storm as a reliever.
“Being a high leverage reliever sometimes you get beat and it hurts but you get the next night and say go do it again,” Counsell said.
Pittsburgh turns to rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler (7-9, 4.25 ERA) to avoid the sweep. His two career starts against the Cubs have come this season, and he is 0-0 with a 6.10 ERA over 10 1/3 innings.
In his last start, he lifted the Pirates to a 9-3 road victory over the Chicago White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits with no walks and eight strikeouts over six innings.
Chandler, 23, has developed a rapport with a fellow rookie, catcher Rafael Flores Jr., 25.
“Each start is a growing moment for me,” Chandler said. “It’s also a growing moment for him. He’s a great catcher now and is going to get even better.”
Chicago is set to counter with left-hander Matthew Boyd (8-4, 4.03). In nine career starts against the Pirates, Boyd is 1-3 with a 5.44 ERA. He’s posted 46 strikeouts and 17 walks in 46 1/3 innings.
Boyd took the loss in his last start on Monday, a 4-3 setback at the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over seven innings.
-Field Level Media
