Tyler Chatwood came on in relief of Cole Hamels and effectively shut the Phillies down with mid-90’s heat and breaking stuff that led to outs even when he wasn’t missing bats. He touched 98 mph, pulled the string on the change, and lowered his season ERA to 2.86 over 13 appearances (one start). Given his elite velocity and ability to get strikeouts, some have wondered aloud whether Chatwood should be considered for the closer role.
After all, that spot has been vacant so long Theo Epstein is considering turning it into an AirBnB.
But even as much as the Cubs need some hard-throwing, bat-missing arms in that ‘pen, Chatwood should not be out there trying to slam the door in the 9th inning.