CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Cubs reliever Michael Fulmer’s meltdown in the ninth inning of a 6-2 loss to the Dodgers on Thursday has led to questions about who’s best-suited to be the club’s closer.
Fulmer allowed a go-ahead grand slam to Dodgers outfielder James Outman, which marked the second time in six days that he suffered a loss with a rough performance in the ninth inning. Fulmer’s struggles – he has a 7.56 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in nine appearances in 2023 – has led Cubs manager David Ross to shift to a wait-and-see approach when deciding the best way to utilize his bullpen late in games.
“You just want to put people in positions to get outs and have success,” Ross said when asked why it’s so difficult to get the final three outs of a game. “As a manager and his tactics, you will be getting the worst matchups because the opposing manager will be emptying his bench and firing everything they have at you. The focus might be a little more intense as the game gets tighter. We don't want to make excuses. You just have to execute in big moments. There is the fans, adrenaline and the focus to consider. Everybody handles that stuff differently.”
The Cubs don’t have anyone in their bullpen who profiles as a traditional closer. Fulmer is a former starting pitcher who has four good pitches but nothing that dominant. Brad Boxberger is off to a strong start and has closed at times in his career – but not regularly since 2018. Keegan Thompson has an excellent sinker-slider combination, but the Cubs believe he’s best used for two innings at a time and in high-leverage situations earlier in games. Mark Leiter Jr. had three saves late in 2022 but has been used primarily as a middle reliever. On Friday, the Cubs also promoted 24-year-old righty Jeremiah Estrada from Triple-A Iowa, where he had impressed early this season.
"I trust Michael Fulmer,” Ross said. "I must make that statement for sure. When you feel like you are not at your best – and Michael Fulmer cares a whole lot about this team and performing for this team and organization – you may try a little bit harder. I just don't know if you try to win harder is the best formula for success in this game. We just need him to get back to a plan where he can execute a plan that he is good at. We need to fine-tune some things. It’s not that I don't trust him in the back end of games.”
Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart also weighed in on why it’s difficult to close games.
“The game is totally on the line in that last inning,” Barnhart said. "Not that any other inning is that different, but it's not usually correctable if you can't get them out in the ninth inning. You must execute or that's it. It just ups the stakes for the pitcher. You must be strong in your mind and be able to move on from both success and failure. Cornerbacks in the NFL always talk about not getting lost in negative thoughts from play to play. You get burnt on a long touchdown, you must flush it really quick or you will not be around very long. It's the same for a closer.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
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