So, James Russell has an ERA of 16.20 in his past 3 appearances, 15.43 over his past 5 and 10.80 over his past 9 appearances. In his previous 36 appearances? ERA at 2.47. August has not been good to James Russell. Has given up 10 ER in his last 9 appearances, covering 8 1/3 inning - his previous 36 appearances, covering 21 innings has 6 ER. We need him to stop sucking, especially with Strop having the yips and Motte being average and Rondon having no clue how to pitch a 9th inning.
Although, have to say, Clayton Richard is looking solid in the pen - 3 appearances, 6+ innings only 1 ER, and 8 Ks, which is surprising because he is not a strikeout pitcher - this could be the perfect role for him. But, thats another lefty in the pen, with Wood looking solid in his long reliever role (31 appearances, 44 IP, 15 ER, 52 Ks, only 1 HR).
The Cubs pitchers as a team, have 1051 Ks, 20 off the lead (Indians) and Cubs batters have 1102 Ks, first place, 15 ahead of the Astros. Cubs batters have also walked 417 times, second in the bigs behind the Dodgers 419. Not sure what all of this means, but it seems weird that the Cubs have a legitimate chance to lead the league in Ks and BBs as batters and lead the league in Ks as pitchers (Cubs pitchers are 25th in the league in BBs).