Cubs Face Closer Crisis After Historic Extra-Inning Loss

The Chicago Cubs are facing significant challenges with their bullpen, particularly with closer Ryan Pressly, who suffered a historic meltdown by allowing eight earned runs in the 11th inning against the San Francisco Giants, marking the worst extra-inning loss in franchise history. Pressly's declining velocity and performance have raised concerns about his ability to maintain the closer role, with experts and fans calling for his demotion due to poor strikeout rates and increasing walks. Despite a strong offensive showing and promising performances from younger pitchers like Porter Hodge, the Cubs' bullpen ranks among the worst in the league in terms of swing-and-miss percentages and save opportunities blown. The team's starting rotation has also been weakened by injuries, adding pressure on the relief staff to stabilize games. Analysts emphasize that for the Cubs to emerge as true contenders and solidify their postseason aspirations, shoring up the bullpen and improving late-inning pitching is critical. The Cubs' management faces tough decisions ahead on how to address these pitching issues to sustain their competitive edge.