Chicago Cubs’ Carlos Marmol making a difference with some readjustments – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks by 3-1 on Sunday, July 15, to sweep the three-game series. But there were a few things that needed immediate attention and adjustment the closer Carlos Marmol had to make due to a little difficulty he apparently faced in finishing the last two games.
Cubs’ closer, Marmol, could have brought mammoth trouble in both games played on Saturday and Sunday. The closer had allowed two runners on base in Saturday’s game and a pair of runners on base on Sunday.
Nonetheless, much to the relief of the Cubs, he concluded both the games with wins. That was only possible through pitching the contact. The team manager Dale Sveum has his perspective on the closer’s performance.
"I think he hit rock bottom there when we took him out of the closer role, and I think he had to sit back and realize that this contact stuff is OK, that I don't give up many hits even when I'm in the strike zone and let the defense do its work,” said Sveum.
Sveum remains a bit critical for the obvious reasons. The Cubs are now in relatively better shape than the when they started the series. The fact that they have won 12 of last 16 games is reassuring, and they want to continue the streak without falling victim to avoidable blunders.
"The throwing strikes when he has to seems to be what he's been able to do," Sveum said. "Obviously, sometimes the pitch count looks like it's getting up, and then all of a sudden he's been getting some double-play balls or making the pitches when he has to and throwing the strikes."
There are criticisms, undeniably. However, much as Marmol had difficulty doing what he is otherwise supposed to execute ably, he has got support of the team as a whole. There is a big reason for that.
Of the 12 appearances that Marmol has had, he has not allowed a run in 10 of them. That in itself, is encouraging for him. It goes without saying that the Cubs are in a rebuilding phase and Marmol’s role as a closer is of huge importance for the club to do well in the Division.
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