Cubs' Justin Steele: Throws six scoreless in no-decision
Rotowire
Steele did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five over six scoreless innings.
Steele cruised through five innings then ran into some trouble in the sixth, but he escaped a bases-loaded jam and departed with a 2-0 lead at 93 total pitches. Steele earned his third quality start in his past four outings, but he is still winless on the season after the bullpen allowed three runs. Despite the tough luck, Steele's 3.22 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through nine starts are actually lower than his ratios last season, when he finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting. He will try to earn his first win against the Giants next Tuesday.
Cubs' Justin Steele: Stuck with loss in quality start
Rotowire
Steele (0-3) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings as the Cubs were downed 3-2 by the Reds. He struck out seven.
The southpaw pitched well in his second quality start of the season, generating 30 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches, but a lack of run support kept him out of the win column once again. Steele appears to be rounding into form after missing all of April with a hamstring strain, and over his last three starts he sports a 1.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 19 innings. He'll look for that first victory of 2024 in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Tampa Bay.
Cubs' Justin Steele: Struggles with control Saturday
Rotowire
Steele allowed five runs (one earned) on seven hits and four walks while striking out five batters over five innings in a no-decision against Cincinnati on Saturday.
Steele's fantasy stat line wasn't disastrous since only one of the five runs charged to him was earned, but he was far from sharp, especially in terms of control. The southpaw hit a batter in addition to issuing a season-high four walks, and he threw just 58 of 98 pitches for strikes. Steele is usually much better at limiting free passes -- before Saturday, he had issued only seven walks over six starts -- so this was likely just a bump in the road for him. He's been decent with a 4.10 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 37.1 innings this season but has yet to pick up a win.
