This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO – Ben Brown found himself in the middle of a sequence of events on Saturday that could have easily led to an inning spiraling out of control. Facing the Mets in the eighth of a close game, the big righty induced five ground balls, but converting them into outs proved challenging.
The Mets had two infield hits, had another batter reach on a fielder’s choice and scratched out a run with the help of a Cubs error. Rather than letting the moment get out of hand, Brown stayed in control and escaped the frame to help seal a 4-2 victory for the Cubs. It was the kind of inning that he may have lost his grip on in the past.
“It’s encouraging, for sure,” Brown said. “Obviously, I went through a lot of growth and learning last year. I pitched a lot of innings to learn from, and it’s cool to see it play out in games.”
After making the Opening Day roster, the 26-year-old Brown was always going to be a key piece to this Cubs pitching staff. The right-hander offers depth behind the rotation, but also a multi-inning arm that can provide a bridge between the starter and the late-inning arms.
Given the recent rash of injuries, Brown’s role has been expanded. Righties Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps), Daniel Palenica (left oblique) and Ethan Roberts (right middle finger) are all on the 15-day injured list. The circumstances have forced the Cubs to carry five lefties in the bullpen.
Brown is suddenly a critical piece to the leverage-innings puzzle.
“He was going to be important no matter what,” Cubs starter Jameson Taillon said. “But [more so now] with the injuries and stuff and his ability to pitch and want to pitch and take the ball. And multiple innings. He’s pitching leverage now. And also just like the evolution of his maturity out there.
“I’ve always loved Ben. He’s great to show up and he's got great energy. … He’s been huge. I think we all knew he was going to be really important and here he is just pitching multiple innings in that fireman role.”
All seven of Brown’s appearances to date this season have been multi-inning efforts, and he has spotted a 2.70 ERA with 15 strikeouts against six walks in 16 2/3 innings. Brown’s fastball has averaged 96.5 mph, per Statcast, while his curveball has generated a 41.3% whiff rate. He also has a new sinker, plus a changeup developed last year, adding more wrinkles.
From manager Craig Counsell’s perspective, the way Brown handled Saturday’s outing against the Mets was an important moment for the pitcher.
“It was a tough inning,” Counsell said. “The ball did not leave the infield. They get a run on the board. They’ve got the go-ahead run at the plate. The tying run on base. And he kept making good pitches. I’m really, really proud of Ben. You’re throwing the ball well, not getting outs, and it’s getting tighter and closer, and Ben kept making pitches.
“That’s a really good sign and a big step. I think it’s important.”