The Cubs bullpen performance has been a major problem this season, driven by many injuries across both the relief corps and the rotation, which forced good relievers out of the bullpen. Jacob Webb began the year poorly, allowing hard contact, issuing walks, and giving up many runs during early appearances. Around April 7, his results improved significantly. Over 16 innings across 16 appearances in the following month-plus, he produced a 2.25 ERA with 2.93 xERA and 2.16 FIP. He struck out 29.9% of batters, walked 6.0%, allowed only three barrels, and generated 48.8% groundballs. His changeup has become a key weapon, ranking among the most valuable changeups for relievers and performing especially well versus left-handed hitters.
"The Cubs bullpen has been more than just an issue this season. It's been the issue. And while that's not entirely any one player or executive's fault - there have been a TON of injuries both to the relief corps, but also the rotation, necessarily pulling good relievers out of the 'pen - it's been ugly. To say the least."
"When he was called into games over the first two weeks(ish) of the season, Webb was pretty horrible, at least relative to our expectations. He was being hit hard, he was walking guys, he was giving up tons of runs, etc. Just all the stuff you don't want or expect from a guy you signed to a big league deal in the offseason. Every time he came into a game, I was stressed. But not anymore. And not for a while."
"Around April 7, things really started to click for the Cubs righty. Covering 16 innings over 16 appearances over the last month+, Jacob Webb has earned a 2.25 ERA with peripherals to match: 2.93 xERA, 2.16 FIP. During this stretch, Webb has struck out 29.9% of the batters he's faced (20 Ks), while walking just 6.0% (4 BBs). He's also given up just three barrels and is generating a lot of groundballs (48.8%)."
"In fact, this month, it rates out as the 13th most valuable changeup among all relievers in MLB, and only one guy ahead of him on that list has thrown more innings. But even if you include his full season, his changeup comes with a .248 xwOBA, and makes him especially effective against left-handed batters."
Read at Bleacher Nation
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