The Chicago Cubs have their backs against the wall. After being swept by the NL-best Atlanta Braves, the Cubs no longer control their own fate. They'll need to likely sweep the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend and hope for some help from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who play host to the Miami Marlins, if they expect to make the MLB postseason.
Regardless, the Cubs need to win. With a very depleted bullpen, the Cubs are getting some much needed help. Ahead of the series opener in Milwaukee on Friday, the Cubs activated closer Adbert Alzolay from the 15-day IL. To make room for Alzolay on the 28-man roster, RHP Keegan Thompson was optioned to the Arizona Complex League.
Alzolay hit the IL with a forearm strain back on September 11. That said, the team was optimistic that he could return for the home stretch against the Brewers. That outcome was perfectly timed as the Cubs get their best bullpen weapon back in action. On the season, Alzolay owns a 2.71 ERA over 57 games while converting 22 of 25 save opportunities. The Cubs new closer has also struck out 66 while walking only 12 in 63.0 innings of work.
As for Thompson, he's had an up and down season. After starting the season with the Cubs, Thompson flamed out in May and was optioned to Iowa. It took all the way until the Cubs' series in Pittsburgh back in late August for the righty to make his return to the majors. Even then, he hasn't looked like the 2022 version of himself. Thompson was once thought to be a bullpen face of the future, but now his chances as a major leaguer are in question.
The Cubs open their final three-game set on Friday with the Brewers. Kyle Hendricks will battle against Colin Rea for the 7:10 p.m. CDT start. The Cubs need wins, and it all starts with The Professor taking the Brew Crew to school on a Friday night.
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