It happened again. The Cubs had a late lead, and the bullpen blew it. Again. That’s three times in the first five games of the season. If it happened in July, you’d notice it, and you’d be very annoyed. It’s bad enough then when you feel good about the bullpen. But when it happens three times in the first five games, and it was already a concern? I don’t think it’s an overreaction to say this is already at a serious, season-threatening level of concern.
Steve Cishek, both last year and in the very early going this year, has been consistently one of the few consistently reliable guys, so of course he comes into the 8th and walks the first three batters he faces. Randy Rosario gave up a bases-clearing double to the next guy, and boom, a two-run lead in the 8th becomes a loss, the Cubs’ third blown late loss by the bullpen in just five games. Man. That’s something.
Jon Lester not only pitched well, getting out of a few incredibly tight spots (not entirely of his own making, either), but he also got on base THREE times, drove in a run, AND scampered around the bases like a 23-year-old position player. Didn’t matter.