Chicago Cubs’ plan is clear after latest pitching addition

The Chicago Cubs are in dire need for pitching, both in the starting rotation and the bullpen. They are expected to make some significant moves to address the issue before the MLB trade deadline, but for now, they are making marginal moves to try and catch lightning in a bottle.

First, they acquired David Peterson in a small trade with the New York Mets. He looked good in his first outing, giving up just two runs over 5.2 innings, but against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, he was shelled for a career-worst 10 runs in a 17-1 loss.

Obviously, the Cubs are hoping that Peterson can regain his prior form.

Then, most recently, Chicago signed former Milwaukee Brewers reliever Jake Woodford, who hasn’t pitched in a month but could represent a low-risk option for a bullpen that has experienced some issues throughout the year.

Both Peterson and Woodford had an ERA north of 6.00 when the Cubs landed them, so what is the plan here? It seems pretty clear.

Chicago Cubs have a clear plan for their pitching staff

Chicago has one of the best infield defenses in all of baseball, so Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell probably feel pretty confident in pitchers who make hitters put the ball on the ground.

Peterson’s 3.86 FIP with the Mets indicated that he was the victim of some harsh luck from his horrendous defense, and his career 51.1 percent ground-ball rate was definitely a good sign. Not that it worked well in Peterson’s second outing with the Cubs, but it could bode well long term.

As for Woodford? You have to look a little bit harder to see the good, as he owns a lifetime 5.25 ERA and 4.77 FIP since entering the big leagues in 2020. But he does lay claim to a respectable 3.97 FIP this season, and he has been able to induce ground balls in the past (he posted a GB% of over 50 percent in 2022 and 2023).

Chicago’s strategy is clear: acquire pitchers who can make use of the team’s fantastic infield. At least for now.

There will come a point where the Cubs have to get a pitcher who can actually make hay on his own, and they have until Aug. 3 to do that. For now, they are just trying to find quick fixes.

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