With the Chicago Cubs on a hot streak, an already dominant bullpen is receiving reinforcements. After placing Drew Smyly on waivers earlier in the week, the team made a surprise addition via the waiver wire by claiming Shawn Armstrong from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Chicago will mark Armstrong's third stop during the 2024 season. The right-hander began the season with the Tampa Bay Rays before being shipped to the Cardinals at the trade deadline. St. Louis paid a hefty price by sending outfielder Dylan Carlson to Tampa Bay, but the Redbirds have decided to cut bait after floundering in the standings throughout August.
While Armstrong's 4.85 ERA doesn't seem appealing on paper, he's been fairly reliable throughout his career. The Cubs are counting on him to continue that with an already talented group of arms in the bullpen.
In 2023, Armstrong was dominant with a 1.38 ERA for the playoff-bound Rays. While the Cubs have a solid reputation for finding diamonds in the rough, it never hurts to add a fairly reliable pitcher to the fold.
Poaching from a division rival that's seemingly retreating into the wilderness is also a plus. If the Cardinals are waving the white flag, the Cubs can benefit by picking up the pieces of their fallout.
Riding a hot stretch in recent weeks, the Cubs are trying to flip the script from last year's late-season collapse. But at five games back of the final National League wild-card spot, it'll take a full team effort to overcome a mountain of a challenge.
Getting over .500 this week was a great start. While the postseason isn't guaranteed, the Cubs are building positive momentum entering the campaign's final month.
Are the Cubs merely one reliever away from making the playoffs? Armstrong should help their cause while weakening a division rival that appears to be suffering from a lapse in judgment.
