Extreme Cubs numbers from first month of 2021 season
You don’t have to look much further than the Cubs’ 11-15 record to see they just wrapped up their worst April since 2014, before the days of Bryzzo, El Mago and more on the North Side.But their record isn't the only revealing figure from the season's first month.The story of the Cubs' first-month journey is one of surprising extremes, from the starting rotation to the leadoff spot to Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel.Here's a look at some of those extreme figures from the season's first month.
No Cubs starting pitcher tossed an outing longer than six innings in April. In fact, Cubs starters have yet to record an out in the seventh inning this season.
It’s the latest into a season they’ve failed to do so in team history.
Cubs starters threw exactly six innings just six times in their first 26 games: Jake Arrieta (3), Kyle Hendricks (2), Trevor Williams (1) and Adbert Alzolay (1).
The team that led the major leagues in rotation innings last season is averaging 4.71 innings per start. Only the Pirates in the National League are averaging fewer.
As you can imagine, the Cubs' bullpen has carried a big workload due to the rotation's short starts. Cubs relievers tossed the fourth-most innings in April (105 2/3), only trailing the Padres, Rays and Rangers.
"We haven't gotten the length that we were expecting quite yet out of the starting rotation," David Ross said Wednesday, when Zach Davies’ start ended after 3 2/3 innings.
Ross added, "We do feel like things will come back around for those guys and they start to find their groove and be able to go deeper in the games. We're not at that point yet. But we need to get there."
For as much as the bullpen has been leaned on, they've hung in there (3.83 ERA, 14th in MLB). However, walks have been an issue.
Cubs relievers posted the third-highest walk rate (13.7) in April and second-highest walks per nine innings (5.5).
Brandon Workman walked seven batters before the Cubs designated him for assignment. Cubs relievers walked 65 batters total.
After two up-and-down seasons, Craig Kimbrel has been one of the most impressive Cubs to start 2021.
The Cubs closer hasn't allowed a run in nine appearances (10 innings). He's allowed a lone hit and six walks, striking out 15 while converting all four of his save chances.
Dating back to last September, Kimbrel hasn't allowed a run in 17 straight appearances.
Remember all the talk surrounding Kris Bryant after his down 2020 season in which he played 34 games and dealt with several nagging ailments? Well, he just wrapped up the best April of his career.
Bryant slashed .322/.412/.667 in 24 games last month, posting career highs in average, slugging percentage and OPS (1.078) for the month of April. His seven home runs and 19 RBIs were also career bests for April.
Bryant's OPS ranked ninth in all of baseball in April.
Bryant and Kimbrel's early-season success puts them at the top of the for-sale list this summer, if the Cubs aren't in the playoff race.
The Cubs have gotten up-and-down results from the leadoff spot since Dexter Fowler left as a free agent. In April, it was more the latter.
Cubs leadoff hitters combined to slash .216/.350/.299 with 33 strikeouts in April. Those totals ranked 24th, ninth, 28th and 29th in the game.
Of course, Ian Happ's early-season struggles are a big part of those figures.
In 18 starts in the top spot last month, Happ hit .159/.329/.206 with 24 strikeouts.
Javy Báez has always been a free swinger who doesn't walk much. But, his 36 strikeouts were the most in any April in his career, and his one walk was a career-low for the month.
Báez did lead the Cubs in RBIs in April (20) and hit the second-most home runs (six).
We knew the Cubs rotation would rely on pitching to contact rather than blowing hitters away with velocity this season.
And with Yu Darvish now pitching in San Diego, the Cubs' soft-tossing rotation ranks last in MLB in average fastball velocity (89.8 mph).
Cubs starters also ranked last in the NL (29th in MLB) in rotation ERA in April (5.81).
Add it all up, and it's no wonder the Cubs finished April last in the NL Central.
