Cubs Turn to Ryan Brasier as Opener in Monday’s Bullpen Game

This comes after a tough 6-1 loss to the Red Sox on Sunday, where the bats went quiet and the bullpen was forced to eat innings after Jameson Taillon left early. Monday’s game gives the Cubs a chance to reset while getting creative with the pitching staff.

Why Ryan Brasier?

Ryan Brasier is no stranger to high-leverage moments. He has been one of Chicago’s most reliable arms this season, posting a microscopic 1.04 ERA over 18 appearances. His WHIP sits at just 0.92, and he has racked up 14 strikeouts in 17.1 innings.

While Brasier has been used mostly in middle relief, the Cubs trust his ability to face the top of the Royals lineup to start the game. He will likely pitch just the first inning or two before turning things over to the rest of the bullpen.

A Different Kind of Strategy

The decision to go with an opener is partly about matchups and partly about necessity. The Cubs are currently managing around some rotation gaps and using their depth to keep arms fresh for the long haul.

Brasier has experience with this kind of role from his time with the Dodgers last season, where he occasionally worked multiple innings in relief. He is also a former World Series contributor with the Red Sox, so this is not a new situation for him.

What It Means Moving Forward

This bullpen game is not just about Monday. It gives the Cubs flexibility as they look toward the trade deadline. Chicago has been flirting with the idea of adding another starter and bolstering the bullpen. How well this strategy works could impact those plans.

It also highlights the team’s trust in Brasier. He has only allowed runs in two of his outings this season, making him a logical choice to open a game when the Cubs want to avoid exposing a traditional starter to tough out some early matchups.

What to Watch For

• How Brasier handles the Royals' top of the order
  
  
• How deep the Cubs let him go before handing the ball off
  
  
• How the rest of the bullpen responds after heavy usage over the weekend
  
  

The Bottom Line

This is not a traditional start for Ryan Brasier, but it is a sign of how the Cubs are thinking right now. They are willing to get creative to stay in the playoff hunt, even if it means shaking up the usual pitching routine.

After a disappointing 6-1 loss on Sunday, Monday’s game is a chance to bounce back by doing things a little differently on the pitching side. Creativity sometimes turns out to be problematic, but in this scenario, it could prove to be just what the doctor ordered.

The hope is that the offense steps up to alleviate the pressure on the arms and create a situation where they don't have to burn through many arms. There is an argument that could be made that doing this to start a 3-game series isn't exactly the right move. However, at this point in the season, creativity is welcomed, knowing that you will almost certainly have reinforcements coming in from outside the organization.

We Want to Hear from You

Do you think that this is the right move? Would you bring up Ben Brown to start or would you use a different opener?

Let us know what you think! Tweet us @CubbiesOnTap and let us know.