Cubs Will Rely On Bullpen To Shut Down The Dodgers

The Cubs starters have gone an average of six innings this year, which means the bullpen will be key to victory in the playoffs.

Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Marmol, and Kerry Wood will be key in the Cubs first playoff test against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jeff Samardzija, a former Notre Dame wide receiver, was selected by the Cubs in the draft in 2007. He spent most of last year in the minor leagues. He made his major league debut July 7, 2008 and has been one of the Cubs most dependable middle relievers. 

Samardzija's ERA is a clean 2.28, including a dirty 0.95 ERA at home this year. This is key as the Cubs have locked in home field advantage until the World Series. He has given up no home runs and 12 earned runs in 25 appearances.

He has a 4 seam fastball mixed in with a slider in the mid 80s and changeup in the low 80s. He can also strike a batter out with a fastball that maxes out at 98 mph. Thriving on the packed house and 40,000 fans standing at every pitch is similar to his collegiate experience at Notre Dame.

The one concern is his control. Lately he has been struggling maintaining the strike zone. If he can tame his wildness, he is a strong setup for Carlos Marmol.

For the Cubs, Carlos Marmol couldn't have come into his own at a better time. Originally a position player, he converted to pitcher in the Cubs minor leagues. In 2008, his 87.1 innings pitched is the most among Cubs relievers, and is coupled with his 2.68 ERA.

He has two main pitches, a fast ball and a slider. His slideball is almost like three pitches, a breaking ball, curveball and straight slider. He struggles somewhat with the command of his fastball, but on a 0-2 count or 1-2 Marmol uses his slider to get the hitter.

With a setup man like Marmol, the ninth inning is all set up for starter turned closer Kerry Wood. Let me say this as a fan of baseball, Kerry Wood to me is tough.

Not many thought he would ever start a game again, let alone pitch again for the Cubs. But after a long rehab stint, and a strong spring training this year, Kerry Wood won the closer role.

In 40 save oppurntunities, Wood has 34 saves, while only allowing three home runs and 24 earned runs in 66.1 innings pitched. His ERA is a strong 3.26 with 84 strikeouts. 

Wood has struggled with command of his pitches and has given up some walks. For Wood it is sticking to the basics and doing what he does best: throw strikes.

For the Cubs, command has been an issue, such as giving up walks with less than one out. The Dodgers lineup, which includes Manny Ramirez, is a high power offense.

They are a power team, which means they rely heavy on the home run, so walking guys before the three, four and five hitters will put the Cubs relief pitchers in tough situations where they need to make their pitches.

For the Cubs, their seventh, eighth, and ninth inning relievers are able to close the door on late-game rallies by doing what they have done all year long, by staying consistent and not trying to do more than they are capabale of .

The Cubs face the Dodgers starting this Wednesday in the NLDS. They have the upper hand with their middle relief core and closer. We should see the North Siders deep into October.