Yes, Kyle Ryan Screwed Up, But Don’t Hang That Loss on Him

Your closer just loaded the bases and then walked in the game-tying run. You’ve been tasked with warming up with lighting quickness, and then coming into a bases-loaded situation, with nobody out, trying to maneuver out of it without the benefit of any kind of prep, match-up advantage, or breathing room. Good luck, dude.

That was Kyle Ryan’s situation last night in the 9th inning, and that is perhaps the biggest reason I’m not angry at him this morning. He came into an impossible situation, and he got two groundballs. That’s good!

But obviously there is a little more context to his performance, which ultimately allowed two runs to score, the second of which may not have had to score. With one out, and the lead run in, Ryan got a comebacker and caught the runner at third way too far down the line. Ryan did what you’re supposed to do in that situation, stared him down, and then … for some reason completely unknown, he threw to first base, allowing that runner to score:

Obviously, what you’re supposed to do there is freeze that runner, and then run straight at him until he commits. I know it. You know it. Kyle Ryan knows it. Instead of freezing the runner, he himself froze. It just happens sometimes, and you do no good by beating a guy up for it:

It’s only fair to point out, too, that even if he executes that play perfectly, it’s entirely possible that the Marlins wind up with runners on second and third and two outs, and who knows what the next guy does, right? It is *conceivable* that things get worse for the Cubs without that makeshift double play, and we’re only feeling worse about it now because Kris Bryant happened to hit a solo homer in the bottom of the frame.

It’s also fair to point out that the Cubs grounded into four double plays in the game. That Daniel Descalso struck out looking in the 9th ahead of Bryant’s homer (which maybe he doesn’t even hit if it’s a one-run game because he’s pitched differently). That Javy Baez and Willson Contreras struck out in the 9th with the tying run on base. That Cole Hamels allowed three runs in his six innings of work. Etc. Etc. And, of course, that Pedro Strop could not throw a strike against a group of nothingburger hitters in the 9th.

Ryan goofed, visibly and obviously, but anyone hanging that loss on him is seriously misguided.

Certainly nobody in that clubhouse is down on Ryan, who has posted a 2.84 ERA, a 1.80(!) FIP, and a 60.0% groundball rate over his 12.2 innings of work. The dude has been fantastic.

As Anthony Rizzo put it to Cubs.com after the game: “That’s a tough situation to come in in the ninth there. We all have his back. He’s been really good for us since he’s been here. … I’m sure Joe will put him right back in there tomorrow. We have all the confidence in the world in him.”

To that end, I do hope there’s a quick opportunity to reiterate that confidence, on the field, in Ryan for the Cubs going forward.

Because here’s a very tricky situation percolating: lefty Mike Montgomery is basically ready to return, and, given the full rotation, that means he’ll head to the bullpen. Unless there’s a phantom injury somewhere, he’ll either have to replace a guy who has no options and gets waived (Allen Webster? He hasn’t really shown it yet, but the front office has been SO HIGH on his talent, and I highly doubt he clears waivers), or he’ll have to replace a guy with options left. That would be Carl Edwards Jr. – who just came back after pitching very well at Iowa, and looked OK last night – or Ryan. Would the Cubs really option Ryan, one of their best bullpen arms so far this year, right after a night like that? If so, they better make sure it’s CRYSTAL clear to him that it’s solely a matter of managing the roster, and has nothing at all to do with his performance.

Of course, if it has nothing to do with his performance, at a time when the Cubs need the best arms they can get, should he even be optioned at all?

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Latest News

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks open their season as -231 favorites in a home matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners begin their season as -162 favorites in a home tilt against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Luis Castillo starts for Seattle while Brayan Bello is Boston's starter for the contest.Mariners...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Shane Bieber gets the starting nod for Cleveland while Alex Wood...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Damian Lillard must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers...

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, starting at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for three-pointers...

Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo make just a single 3-pointer when the Milwaukee Bucks play the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his over/under for the game.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's...

CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, CJ McCollum must make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksCJ McCollum's over/under for three-pointers in...

Devils vs. Sabres Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, March 29, 2024

The bookmakers are expecting a close game between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres when they clash on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, with the Devils at -115 on the moneyline, and the Sabres at -105.Devils vs. Sabres Favorite,...

Guardians vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Cleveland Guardians (0-0) and the Oakland Athletics (0-0) match up on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for Opening Day. First pitch is at 10:07 PM ET.The Guardians will give the nod to Shane Bieber versus the Athletics and Alex...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Boston Red Sox (0-0) visit the Seattle Mariners (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Mariners will give the nod to Luis Castillo against the Red Sox and Brayan Bello.Mariners vs. Red Sox Pitcher...

more cubs news