The Cubs Have To Be Done With Tyler Chatwood For Now

As expected, things have gone from bad to worse to holy hell Tyler Chatwood is the most infuriating pitcher to watch on the Chicago Cubs in a long time. OK, maybe the last part wasn't expected, but things have gone south quickly for Chatwood. We all knew the walks were eventually going to catch up to him because no one is that lucky and despite the Cubs somehow going 8-8 in Chatwood's 16 starts so far in 2018, the team can't afford to trot him out every fifth day anymore. It was fine at the start of year, when everyone was hopeful he'd just figure it out and the wildness was tolerable because hey at least his ERA was low. Well, more than halfway into the season and Chatwood hasn't figured it out and he's not getting away with his wildness either. For the second straight Saturday, Chatwood allowed seven earned runs. His ERA is now at 5.01, and in 79 innings he's walked 70 batters. Just how bad is that?

And those previous walk totals are already just average for a pitcher. For fans hoping the Cubs will finally stop starting Chatwood, Saturday's outing might have just been a hint that they will very soon. See, it was another rough start for Chatwood, who allowed five runs in the first three innings. He didn't have any control again, as a walk in the first inning led to a bases-loaded jam that wound up in two runs scoring on back-to-back wild pitches. Down 6-2 and approaching 100 pitches, Cubs manager decided to send Chatwood out for the sixth inning. It was a clear message to everyone watching, he was going to make Chatwood wear it and now burn the bullpen early again. A run scored to make it 7-2, and then Chatwood was taken out with two outs. He threw a career-high 120 pitches.

Luckily for the Cubs, the offense once again bailed out Chatwood and came back to win with a four-run rally in the eighth inning. Although fans threw out the joke that now it's easier for the Cubs to explain a disabled list trip for Chatwood, the reality is that might actually be what they will do. Tyler Chatwood simply does not give the Cubs the best chance to win when he's on the mound. The Cubs only have seven games left before the all-star break and at this point I'd be surprised if Chatwood makes his next scheduled start. If the Cubs are serious about contending for another title, not only should they be done with Chatwood in the immediate future, but possibly for the rest of the year too. Chatwood has only pitched six or more innings three times this year, the last time coming in April 29. It's not that he's just been bad, but it's that he hasn't been able to eat innings either because he gets up to 100 pitches by the fifth inning. You can't have a guy averaging less than five innings per start consistently drain the bullpen and right now it doesn't help that guys like Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana haven't quite pitched up to their ability yet either. It doesn't matter who replaces Chatwood, but whoever it is, right now the team would have more confidence in him than Chatwood. Everyone can see it. The fans, the coaches, the front office and the players. Chatwood can't be trusted right now and the Cubs have to accept him as a lost cause at the moment. Don't be surprised if you see Chatwood land on the DL. You know what, I can't believe it's come to this, but, maybe John Lackey wants to come back?

P.S. forgot to add this but Yu Darvish being out really hurts the Tyler Chatwood thing because he'd be out of the rotation if Darvish was back. Regardless, once Darvish returns Chatwood is definitely not starting anymore. For now, though, I don't care who it is instead of Chatwood. Give Duane Underwood another shot. He was OK in his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers. I'd even be fine with a bullpen day. Luke Farrell and Anthony Bass have starting experience. Throw them out there and see how it goes. Anyone but Chatwood at this point.