The early going continues to be a bumpy ride for the Cubs’ bullpen.
Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon was spectacular Sunday, allowing one run in seven innings. But the relief corps had a problem finding the strike zone, walking five Phillies in a 3-1, 10-inning loss.
Porter Hodge and Ryan Pressly each walked a batter in their respective scoreless innings. But it was Julian Merryweather issuing three free passes in the 10th that proved to be the difference.
Merryweather walked the first two hitters he faced to load the bases, with the free runner coming home for the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. After first baseman Michael Busch made a nice play to nab a runner at home on a bunt, Merryweather walked another batter before Trea Turner beat out an infield hit to provide an insurance run.
‘‘I just wasn’t my sharpest, obviously, command-wise,’’ Merryweather said. ‘‘I was trying to get that slider back in the zone, and it just wasn’t as bread-and-butter as usual for the strike. I’ve got to get in the zone more.
‘‘I’ve just got to be better.’’
Though Phillies starter Aaron Nola’s work against the Cubs’ offense — which mustered only three hits in the game — certainly loomed large on this specific evening, the North Side relief corps hasn’t been the sharpest so far this season.
The Cubs’ bullpen now ranks third in baseball with 56 walks issued, fewer only than those of the Marlins and Rockies, two last-place teams.
The day began with the Cubs’ relief ERA sitting at 5.05, the fourth-highest in the majors. That number went down to 4.99 after the game, but that’s now the third-highest in the sport.
On back-to-back days, previously effective Cubs relievers endured tough outings. Ethan Roberts gave up four runs in the loss Saturday and was sent down to Triple-A Iowa after his ERA rose from 1.42 to 5.40. Merryweather’s bad 10th sent his ERA from 1.74 to 2.45.
‘‘I love to get back out there after something like this,’’ Merryweather said. ‘‘You just want to get that taste out of your mouth, kind of flush it and get back out there.’’
How can Horton help?
A day after manager Craig Counsell said the Cubs need more from starting pitcher Ben Brown, he wasn’t about to remove him from the rotation.
But in thinking about the starting staff, plenty of eyes have been on what top pitching prospect Cade Horton has been doing in the minors.
Ranked as the No. 48 prospect in baseball, Horton has a pencil-thin 1.06 ERA in his four starts at Iowa.
Things haven’t been perfect, given that Horton has walked 11 batters in 17 innings. But he has been impressive enough to generate questions about whether he might be a possible addition to the rotation this season.
Counsell said that time isn’t here yet, but he envisions Horton making a major-league contribution at some point in 2025.
‘‘I’m optimistic, absolutely,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘No question, if [it’s] a healthy Cade Horton, he’s going to impact this team.’’
Tom taps in
The Cubs swapped Roberts out for Tom Cosgrove, a left-hander they acquired from the Padres this month.
Cosgrove had a 1.75 ERA in 54 games for the Padres in 2023 before struggling mightily last season, with an 11.66 ERA in only 18 appearances. He made three scoreless appearances for Iowa after switching organizations.
‘‘His 2023 in San Diego was really good,’’ Counsell said before the game Sunday. ‘‘He struggled last year, and we think there’s some things we can do to get him back on track. Hopefully he’s in a good spot, and we’ll see what we get.’’
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