Cubs make a game of taking saves away from Hector Rondon

The Chicago Cubs currently have a run differential of +102, and when a team is that good at scoring runs, you might naturally expect their closer, Hector Rondon, to get fewer save chances. But according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the team is actively trying to take save opportunities away from Rondon.

It’s not as mean or sinister as it seems. The Cubs want to win their games decisively so they don’t need their closer to pitch a possibly nerve-wracking ninth inning. Of course, doing that comes at the expense of Rondon’s save count, but it’s all for the benefit of the team.

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The Cubs are actually making a game of it, so it’s all in good fun. From Rogers’ article:

“When you’re on the bench and you’re up three runs, two runs, whatever, we have a game we call Screw the Closer,” Ross explained, laughing and admitting ‘screw’ isn’t the word the players actually use. “We want to score more so he doesn’t get the save.”

Even though the game is called Screw the Closer, Rondon is on board, saying in the article that he doesn’t mind having to warm up only to sit down when the Cubs score late-innings runs. But the effect on his save count shouldn’t be overlooked. Rondon is 6-for-6 in save opportunities, while the MLB leaders in saves have nearly twice that (11). Saves aren’t everyone’s favorite stat, but since Rondon is eligible for arbitration after this season, that number will matter.

If the Cubs win their division, Rondon is on pace to match the fewest saves (33) by a division-winning team (Boston, 2013) going back to 1990.

That’s not a lot of saves, and if a manager only wants to use his closer in a save situation, that doesn’t give the closer many chances to pitch in a game. Manager Joe Maddon and bullpen coach Lester Strode both want to get Rondon more work, but Strode wants to make sure that Rondon is mentally prepared to pitch in a non-save situation. Taking the mound in a tight game is different than pitching in a blowout, which Maddon doesn’t like for his closers to do. Rondon himself acknowledged that his mental state can vary depending on the situation. But Strode wants Rondon to come into every game with the same mindset.

“The one thing I try to get him to understand is — whether it’s one or two runs or four runs — to pitch the same,” Strode explained. “Mentally, you have to think, I’m going in to shut this game down.”

Despite his limited use, Rondon has slayed in his appearances so far. He’s allowed just four hits over 11.1 innings, and he has an ERA of 0.79. If the Cubs can keep winning and Rondon can stay sharp, Screw the Closer could become a game of Cubs legend.

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