3 takeaways as the Chicago Cubs get swept, including their tenuous playoff positioning — and the bullpen’s woes

1. The Chicago Cubs' struggle in the playoffs is becoming more evident. After a four-game losing streak, the team is now in the second wild-card spot, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by 1.5 games and the San Diego Padres by just 2.5 games. With 15 games left in the regular season, the Cubs need to win games to secure their playoff hopes, but their current performance is not up to the task.

Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the need for collective improvement, with a defensive mistake and bullpen issues contributing to the team's recent losses.

2. The bullpen has been a significant concern for the Cubs. In recent games, multiple relievers have struggled, with Jacob Webb blowing three games since his two-month scoreless appearance ended in late August. Daniel Palencia, Ryan Zeferjahn, and others have also shown inconsistency, leading to a bullpen ERA of 5.08, tied for 24th in MLB.

Manager Counsell acknowledged the lack of consistent roles for the bullpen throughout the season, which has hindered their performance. This issue becomes more pressing as mid-September approaches, with the Cubs needing to close games in the remaining series.

3. Home runs continue to affect the Cubs' pitching staff. The team leads the majors in home runs with 203, while their pitching staff has allowed the most home runs at 221. This trend was evident in the recent game where pitcher Kevin Gausman allowed three home runs, further extending the Cubs' deficit. The front office, including president Jed Hoyer, has been aware of this challenge, but the ongoing issue has put additional pressure on the pitching staff to improve their performance.