The Chicago Cubs bullpen has consistently been among the best in baseball this season.
Three shutout innings on Saturday lowered Chicago’s bullpen ERA to 3.86, good for the 11th best in the majors and fifth best in the National League.
One of those consistent bullpen arms has been Brad Keller and after Saturday’s win, Keller was given a major nod of approval from Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
“We don’t talk about Brad Keller enough, I don’t think,” Counsell said via a video posted to X from Marquee Sports Network. “He’s been, to me, the unsung hero of this team. You pitch in not the closer role in the bullpen, and you don’t get much credit but what he’s done for this team … his contribution has been really noted and a huge part of our success.”
Keller signed a one-year contract with Chicago prior to the season and was brought to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Keller instantly made an impression with his lively fastball sitting around 97 mph, noticeably higher than the 93.7 mph it averaged last season.
He made the major league roster out of the spring, and he has made the most of his opportunity. Keller’s scoreless outing on Saturday was his 18th consecutive appearance without surrendering a run. He last allowed a run July 12 against the New York Yankees.
“It’s still the same job. We still gotta go out there and put up zeros whenever we get called upon.”Brad Keller has a 0.00 ERA in 16 outings since the All-Star break. pic.twitter.com/E1ghSuJSm6
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 30, 2025
Keller is well-positioned to post the best season of his career and could earn himself a nice payday in the offseason.
First, though, he will have to continue his success in Chicago’s bullpen and help the Cubs reach the postseason for the first time since 2020.
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