The Chicago Cubs waited until starting pitcher Colin Rea made 108 pitches before they put in right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Braiser in the sixth inning of Saturday’s game.. By then, Rea had given up six earned runs to the Cincinnati Reds, and the Cubs trailed 6-1 at Great American Ball Park.
Rea gave up two runs in the first inning, but settled into the game, giving up zero runs in the second and third. He gave up one run in the fourth, and Chicago could have thought about putting in a relief pitcher at that point. Instead, Rea, who entered the game with a 2.38 ERA, surrendered three runs in the fifth inning, putting Chicago in a serious bind.
Cubs fans on social media thought the team made a mistake by trying to extend Rea through the fifth inning. Many are blaming the front office for not adding enough solid relief pitchers to give the starting pitchers help, as asking the 34-year-old Rea to throw 100+ pitches was a big ask.
Chicago Cubs fans are upset Colin Rea was left in game
“If the Cubs keep extending pitchers like this, it is not going to end well. If you have a problem with the bullpen, which we do, then you have to go out and fix it. You put yourself in this position when you did nothing in the offseason. Colin Rea shouldn’t have to pay. Shame,” wrote a fan.
“Rea can’t get an out to save his life and is at 97 pitches but Counsell, being the genius he is, will leave him in to make sure a comeback is absolutely unattainable,” posted another.
“Best manager in baseball” left Rae in there to give up 3 more runs so he can save the bullpen one lousy inning. Counsell is a true genius,” argued a fan.
“I guess the @Cubs are saving the bullpen today,” wrote another in frustration.
I guess the @Cubs are saving the bullpen today 😂
— Matt 🥃🦅🧡💙🦚⚾️ (@AU4thGen) May 24, 2025
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