The Chicago Cubs have a bullpen problem, and Jacob Webb's last three save opportunities highlight that.
On Tuesday night, Webb gave up a two-out, two-run home run to Jackson Chourio, tying the game at three apiece. The Brewers went on to win the game 4-3 in extra innings. The Cubs bullpen has been bit by homers all season, but especially in recent weeks. Their bullpen has given up the third most home runs in baseball, and Webb's seem to be coming at the worst times.
Webb has now blown three straight saves, but he has done so in historic fashion. According to OptaSTATS, he is the first pitcher to allow a game-tying or go-ahead HR w/ 2 outs in 9th in 3 straight save opportunities, since saves became official in 1969.
He has a 3.36 ERA in 63 games this year and has nine saves. He leads the Cubs in saves, but is far from a reliable closer. On Aug. 22, against the Seattle Mariners, he gave up a double and a run-scoring single to allow the Mariners to make it 4-3 with two outs in the ninth. He then gave up a walk-off homer to Randy Arozarena.
On Aug. 25, he gave up a one-out walk with a one-run lead, and then proceeded to give up a two-run walk-off home run to Ryan Waldschmidt.
It has been a rough go of things for Webb lately, and his woes are just a microcosm of the bullpen as a whole. If the Cubs want to win the World Series, they have about three weeks to get the bullpen into shape. Justin Steele's return could help with that.