I shall now attempt a defense of Ben Brown. Degree of difficulty: 9.7.
The name of Ben Brown is anathema among Chicago Cubs fans, and it’s easy to see why. If Brown were having the kind of season he had as a rookie in 2024, the Cubs would right now be on far more solid footing in the NL Central race.
His 6.04 ERA is nearly double his 3.58 ERA of one season back. He came out of spring training as a rotation option of such repute that his was the first name called out of the pen in Tokyo on Opening Day when Shota Imanaga left after four innings.