Jeremy Jeffress quickly seized the closer's role for the Cubs. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Jeremy Jeffress performed well for the Cubs – but he may have been lucky.
As Craig Kimbrel worked through an array of issues for much of the season, the Cubs turned to right-hander Jeremy Jeffress in the ninth inning. He closed the door eight times in the shortened 60-game season and turned in an eye-catching 1.54 ERA.
Without him stepping into the closer’s role, the team’s shaky bullpen picture would have been even more uncertain.