Frequently Asked Questions
What is David Ross' managing record with the Cubs so far?
Ross finished 71-91 in his first full season, then 74-88 the following year, and was 14-13 at the end of April 2023. His first two seasons featured less talented rosters after the Cubs eliminated core players from their World Series run.
Why has Michael Fulmer struggled as the Cubs' closer?
Fulmer has a 6.57 ERA and 1.54 WHIP as closer, with all nine runs he's allowed this season coming in the ninth inning. However, he's been dominant in non-ninth inning appearances, allowing just two hits with ten strikeouts.
What's wrong with David Ross' bullpen management?
Ross frequently switches relievers between different roles - Mark Leiter Jr. and Keegan Thompson pitch both as setup men in the 6th inning and closers on different days. This constant role switching prevents pitchers from getting into a consistent mindset and hurts their performance.
Which minor league players should the Cubs call up according to fans?
Fans have been pushing for the Cubs to call up Matt Mervis and Christopher Morel from the Iowa Cubs. The current players at their positions, including Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini at first base/DH, aren't helping the team's contention chances.
How much blame does David Ross deserve for the Cubs' struggles in 2023?
Ross is being blamed for repeatedly making the same mistakes with bullpen management and roster decisions that have cost the Cubs winnable games. While he's still relatively new as a manager, he has nearly thirty years of MLB experience and should know better.