4 takeaways from the Cubs-Pirates series, including Kyle Schwarber becoming a fixture in left field and more certainty in the bullpen
Here are four takeaways from the Chicago Cubs’ three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.
1. The new extra-inning rules present varied strategies.
Kyle Schwarber expressed an accurate description of the new rules for extra innings, which start with a runner at second base in each half-inning, after the Cubs’ 2-1 win in 11 innings Sunday.
“It’s definitely interesting,” he said.
Schwarber cited some of the strategies employed, such as the Pirates opting for a five-man infield with a runner at third base in the 10th and 11th and the Cubs attacking the hitter even with first base open.
Cubs manager David Ross said the extra-innings session exposed some flaws they need to work on but didn’t elaborate.
The Cubs lost their magic with runners in scoring position as Steven Souza Jr. was stranded at third with no outs in the 10th. Nico Hoerner twice failed to execute a sacrifice bunt. The Pirates’ Kevin Newman also ran into an out as he tried to advance on a grounder to Cubs shortstop Javier Baez for the first out of the 11th.
2. Bullpen roles are becoming more defined.
Casey Sadler and Dan Winkler moved further into David Ross’ circle of trust after their performances Sunday. They join Duane Underwood Jr. and Ryan Tepera along with mainstays Jeremy Jeffress, Rowan Wick and Kyle Ryan.
The status of the closer role remains open in the wake of Craig Kimbrel’s struggles in a non-save situation Friday. With nearly one-sixth of the season gone, Ross might have to go with a committee of Jeffress, Wick and Ryan, a left-handed ground-ball specialist whose fastball velocity has dipped into the mid- to high 80s.
Look for the Cubs to keep searching for experienced, inexpensive closers, such as their recent signing of Cody Allen to a minor-league deal.
The rotation, meanwhile, limited the Pirates to one run in 18 1/4 u2154 innings, but this Pirates offense won’t be confused with the “Lumber Company” of the 1970s.
3. A versatile offense keeps producing.
The Cubs won Sunday despite only four hits. Three of them went a long way as Willson Contreras and Kyle Schwarber hit consecutive doubles for the first run and Javier Baez came through with the game-winning single in the 11th.
The offense also scored two important insurance runs in each of the wins Friday and Saturday.
The Cubs were only 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position Sunday, but they can be excused for that blip after giving their pitchers plenty of support with clutch hitting in six of their first nine games.
4. Kyle Schwarber is stabilizing left field.
David Ross continues to be rewarded for keeping Kyle Schwarber in left despite his struggles last season and the option to use him as a designated hitter.
Schwarber heaved a strong throw to nail Jacob Stallings at home plate — with catcher Willson Contreras surviving a collision — and prevent the go-ahead run from scoring in the 10th Sunday.
Schwarber read the play accurately, noticing that Pirates third base coach Joey Cora waved Stallings home, and let his throw “fly.”
Ross usually pulls Schwarber in the late innings for defensive purposes but has shown enough confidence to start him in left much more often than having him perform DH duties.
“Rossy has given me a lot of confidence to let me go out there and play,” said Schwarber, who has made eight of his nine starts in left. “I’m trying to get better every day.”
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