CHICAGO — With 16 games for the Cubs over 16 days, Craig Counsell knows what he needs to do.
“What’s clear for me in this stretch is that we’re going to have to push our starting pitching a little farther in games,” Counsell said prior to Tuesday’s 7-2 win over the Houston Astros. “I think we’re in pretty good shape with the bullpen, but for the first 22 games, I’ve got some guys with 10 appearances and that’s a little on the high end for me. That means starters have to cover more innings. I think we’re equipped to do that.”
Cubs starters entered Tuesday’s game averaging under 4 2/3 innings per start and had just four quality starts in 22 games. But starter Jordan Wicks did exactly what Counsell needed, logging six strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking none.
“Jordan was excellent today,” Counsell said. “I just thought he was on the attack. They were aggressive, he was in the strike zone, the stuff played in the strike zone. Pitched a wonderful game.”
Wicks had yet to complete five innings in a start this season but was able to deliver a quality start by attacking hitters from the get-go. Wicks threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 23 batters he faced and garnered eight of his 11 whiffs on his standout changeup.
“That’s something I take into every start, wanting to go deeper and deeper,” Wicks said. “Obviously, haven’t been able to accomplish that in the first four is frustrating to me. I’ve put a lot of stress on the bullpen and it’s something I never want to do as a starter. To be able to get out there and go through six tonight was awesome.”
First quality start this season for @jordan_wicks99 👏 pic.twitter.com/BJ8V5B7WrZ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 24, 2024
Wicks’ outing was much needed, but his performance and the Cubs’ win was once again overshadowed by an early exit from a key player. Center fielder Cody Bellinger had an eventful fourth inning in the outfield, losing a Kyle Tucker fly ball in the twilight, then a batter later failed to come up with Yainer Diaz’s double that led to Bellinger banging into the sprouting ivy that covers the brick wall in the Cubs outfield.
Bellinger stayed in the game and took his at-bat in the fifth but didn’t come out for defense to start the seventh as Mike Tauchman shifted to center and Alexander Canario came in to play right field.
“Honestly didn’t feel much at first,” Bellinger said. “As the innings went on, I started to get a little more uncomfortable. It was nothing serious. It’s a very dull pain, even now, which is a good sign. But at first, I didn’t feel anything.”
Counsell said X-rays on Bellinger’s ribs were negative. Bellinger pointed out that when he rotated on his swing he didn’t feel anything, but deep breaths were slightly painful. For now, Bellinger seemed optimistic, but how his body reacts after a night of sleep will be key.
“I’m happy with where I’m at right now, post adrenaline wearing off,” Bellinger said. “In a good spot right now with how it feels and tomorrow morning going to wake up, see how I feel and we’ll go from there.”
Losing Bellinger would certainly sting, especially with a Cubs roster that’s been slowly depleted from Day 1. Justin Steele went down on Opening Day and Jameson Taillon only returned from a spring training back injury last week. Seiya Suzuki is working his way back from an oblique strain that has kept him sidelined since April 15.
Before the game, starter Kyle Hendricks (lower back pain) and reliever Drew Smyly (right hip impingement) went on the 15-day IL. In their places came Hayden Wesneski and Luke Little. Even after pitching an inning in Tuesday’s win, the expectation is that Ben Brown will take Hendricks’ spot in the rotation after briefly moving into the bullpen upon Taillon’s return. Wesneski will be used to eat multiple innings like he did a week ago in Arizona.
Matt Mervis returned to Chicago after a rough debut in the big leagues early last summer. Veteran Garrett Cooper was designated for assignment to make room on the roster and isn’t expected to return to the organization. This time around, Mervis’ call-up to the Cubs comes with significantly lower expectations and pressure as he’ll be looked at as more of a left-handed bat off the bench rather than a savior at first base, a position Michael Busch seems to have solidified for the Cubs early this season.
The move should be looked at as less of a huge opportunity for Mervis to show last summer’s struggles are in the past and more of a way for the Cubs to better balance their bench. Lefty Miles Mastrobuoni was sent down to make room for Patrick Wisdom last week. Wisdom’s return made Cooper and his right-handed bat feel superfluous. Wisdom has more defensive flexibility as well, being able to handle not only first, but third and the corner outfield spots.
But Mervis could find himself in the lineup more regularly should Bellinger miss any significant amount of time. But the biggest beneficiaries as far as playing time could be Tauchman and Canario.
Tauchman came up last season in the middle of May when Bellinger missed a month and established himself as a regular for the team. He’s proving to be quite valuable once again this season and took advantage of his playing time Tuesday, slugging two opposite-field homers. The left-handed outfielder boasts the second-highest wRC+ (150) on the team and is always ready if called upon.
“I try to make myself available for 162-plus,” Tauchman said. “Hopefully, (Bellinger is) OK. He’s a huge, huge part of our team. Everybody saw this offseason how much we want him here and the impact he has on this lineup. Hopefully, he’s OK, but I show up to the park every day ready to play.”
The hope for the Cubs has to be that if Bellinger misses any time, it’s brief and he can avoid an IL stint. With Suzuki already on the shelf, this offense can’t afford to lose any more impact talent. Especially with the way Bellinger — who got the Cubs scoring started with a two-run homer in the first inning Tuesday night — has been swinging of late.
Even with all the injuries piling up, the Cubs have come away with 14 wins in their first 23 games. They’ve had to rely on players they may not have expected to, at least not in April, but so far they’ve not only been able to tread water but do quite well. With Bellinger’s status up in the air, that reliance on unsung heroes may have to continue.
“Good teams have depth and good teams have guys step up,” Tauchman said. “That’s what we intend to do.”
(Photo of Jordan Wicks: Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)
