Chicago Cubs pitchers had the highest strikeout rate as a staff that they have had in their competitive window with Tommy Hottovy at the helm, striking out 8.97 hitters per nine innings. Pitchers also had the lowest walk rate since 2016 with just a 3.29 BB/9. Walks were a big problem in 2018 with Jim Hickey as the pitching coach, walking 3.8/9.
However, the relief pitching still had the yips at points, walking 4.3/9 in 2019, as opposed to 4.2/9 in 2018. The relievers have struck a few more hitters in 2019, at 9.