■ Alec Mills struggles in first start since no-hitter, allowing 4 runs in a 8-1 loss to the Twins.
With Wick sidelined, ‘somebody will have to step up’ in pen
The Cubs bullpen weathered a rough start to post one of its best stretches during a crucial time as the team moves closer to a National League Central title.
But with nine games left entering their Saturday night matchup against the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field, another challenge awaits: finding a way to fill the loss of versatile reliever Rowan Wick, who likely will be sidelined for the rest of the season because of a left oblique strain.
Manager David Ross said Wick, a right-hander who has a 3.12 ERA in 18 appearances with four saves in as many opportunities, could miss the postseason — should the Cubs qualify. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot was four; for the division title, it was also four.
“Somebody will have to step up,” Ross said. “We’ll find out who that is. Those names can come and go.
“Whoever’s hot pitching, but I’ve got a lot of confidence in a lot of guys down there and I’ve definitely, throughout this short season, put guys in different scenarios and I feel like they’ve answered the call and pitched well. It’s just another time.
“The great thing about baseball is that it’s just another opportunity for somebody else to step up and prove they’re a consistent big-leaguer.”
Entering Saturday, the bullpen posted a 2.08 ERA in the last 28 games and limited opponents to a .176 average and .550 OPS while averaging 10.60 strikeouts per nine innings.
Wick suffered the injury while throwing a perfect seventh inning Wednesday in a win over the Indians.
“I saw him try to stretch the side before he got the last out,” Ross said. “And walking off, (Wick) was talking to Willie (Contreras) a little bit about it.”
Ross said he hoped to get another inning out of Wick until the reliever felt a burning sensation and cramping on his side.
The quality performances by the rotation, which posted a 1.76 ERA in the last 10 games, has limited the work of Duane Underwood Jr., who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 8. But Ross said Underwood remains in the mix and his strikeout ability — 22 in 16 2⁄3 innings — adds value.
“As a manager, you’ve got to understand there might be a little bit of rust when they do step out there,” Ross said. “But the situation has presented themselves to get Underwood or a lot of those guys in those moments.
“Duane has thrown the ball great for us all year, and I have a lot of confidence. He’s done a good job.”
Jason Adam, who started the season at the South Bend, Ind., alternate site, has taken the biggest steps recently.
Adam, who pitched for parts of 2018 and 2019 with the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays, threw a wicked curve to strike out All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor in the 10th inning of Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Indians.
Adam has 18 strikeouts in 10 1⁄3 innings. Since allowing a home run to the White Sox’s Jose Abreu on Aug. 24, Adam hasn’t allowed an earned run in seven outings (6 2⁄3 innings) while giving up only three hits and three walks and striking out nine.
Ross said he has yet to find his “rhythm” with his left-handed relievers, but reinforcements are on the way. Andrew Chafin, who was acquired Aug. 31 from the Arizona Diamondbacks, was activated after recovering from a left finger sprain.
Left-hander Jose Quintana will be activated from the injured list during the Pittsburgh Pirates series, Ross said. The Cubs open a four-game set in Pittsburgh on Monday.
The Cubs need a starter for Tuesday night, and Quintana could be in consideration, albeit in a limited role. He hasn’t pitched since Aug. 30 because of left lat inflammation, though he threw 20 pitches in a simulated game Saturday.
“When guys are on the shelf, you have to build them up,” Ross said. “We can’t just throw them in there. We don’t have enough time or innings to just get them length.
“We’re just going to have to watch where the velocity stays with his outing. If he comes out of the bullpen, I’d like to get (him) stretched out as much as we can.
“But we’re putting them in real games in real situations until we’re able to clinch or figure out what’s going on.”
Chafin, 30, has limited left-handed hitters to a .230 average, .307 on-base percentage, .310 slugging percentage and .616 OPS in his career.
“I’m not worried about tomorrow,” Chafin said.