The Cubs’ pitching was a mess in August. The staff put up a 6.97 ERA last month, and the Cubs went 7-20.
During the last four weeks of the season, manager David Ross will be working to sort out the best roles for the Cubs’ young arms.
One of those is 26-year-old right-hander Keegan Thompson, who didn’t make it out of the second inning of the Cubs’ 6-5 walk-off victory Thursday against the Pirates after his second consecutive wobbly start.
‘‘It’s very frustrating,’’ Thompson said. ‘‘I’ve never really had issues throwing strikes. I was trying anything I could think of.