Chicago Cubs: Gausman, Cabrera struggles create opening for Assad’s forced entry

The Chicago Cubs notched another magical walk-off win on Tuesday—their thirteenth of the season and second in two games. In doing so, they secured the three-game series against the crosstown rival White Sox.

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But even with extreme positivity surrounding this team, there are still some areas of concern. The starting rotation is one of them.

Back at the August 3 trade deadline, the Cubs added veteran starters Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes, immediately installing them as key pieces to a rotation besieged by injury over the course of the season. With power-pitching starter Edward Cabrera slated to return from the IL soon, there was talk of the team almost having too much depth in the rotation, lacking spots to put qualified starters.

A little over two weeks later, lack of depth seems to be of greater concern than excessive depth.

Rotation Concerns

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For one, Cabrera was returned to the IL just one day after being activated and following a horrendous 7 earned runs in 3.2 innings performance.

On Tuesday, starter Gausman left the game after just 4.1 innings, suffering from a cramp in his non-throwing hand. It was an odd reason for removal, but it’s not like the former Toronto Blue Jay was doing all that well anyway.

In this recent outing, the veteran allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits through the 86-pitching appearance, bringing his ERA through three Cubs starts to a disappointing 6.19.

“I’ve had it happen but usually it’s when I’m kind of over 100 pitches,” Gausman told reporters after the Cubs’ 4-3 win. So that’s when I kind of run into it. Never had it happen that early in an outing. You know, so that’s why it’s kind of frustrating.”

Meanwhile, Javier Assad, who had just been recalled from Triple-A to replace Cabrera—after being sent down to accommodate Cabrera’s return—once again stole the pitching show with a shutdown performance.

The case for Javier Assad

The 29-year-old delivered 3 strong shutout innings to keep the Cubs in the game and help facilitate the comeback win.

On the season, Assad has a 3.46 ERA, but has been glue—both in the rotation and bullpen—to help hold together a pitching staff stressed and strained from injury. Over the last two months, the right-hander has been stellar, posting a 1.71 ERA over 9 appearances.

Assad has been moved back and forth from the minors to the majors multiple times this year due to his status as one of the few Cubs pitchers with minor league options remaining. After this latest game-saving performance, though, there’s been an outcry to just keep him on the big league team.

Throughout his five-year run with Chicago, Assad has frequently been the odd man out. Some speculate that this is because his metrics just don’t support the success he’s had at the big league level and the Cubs tend to lean heavily on metrics. But after 5 seasons, 100 games, and 414.1 innings, maybe it’s time to put the metrics aside.

Per Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib:

“The theme of Assad’s tenure with the Cubs is that he always outperforms his metrics. This season is no different. Through a tick over 83 innings pitched this season, Assad’s xERA is 4.63 and his FIP is 4.97. In other words, Assad’s profile is not meant to be finding the success that he has routinely had during his five-year run with the Cubs.

For his career, Assad carries a 3.43 ERA, with a FIP of 4.56. Assad’s success rarely makes sense, considering the metrics, but he’s become the most dependable pitcher the Cubs have on their staff.”

With Cabrera on the outs and Gausman struggling, the Cubs’ pitching depth may not be so prodigious after all. Assad might end up being the rotation’s salvation.

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