Hodge allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning, taking a blown save in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rockies.
Hodge suffered his first blown save since ascending to the closer role, allowing a two-run home run to pinch hitter Sam Hilliard with two outs in the ninth inning. That blast ended a 15-inning scoreless streak for Hodge, who has emerged as one of the Cubs' most reliable relievers in the second half. He's now at a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB with five saves, nine holds and three blown saves over 39 innings this season. Hodge has been scored on in just five of his 35 appearances.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Locks down fifth save
Rotowire
Hodge picked up the save in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Dodgers, working around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning.
The game ended on what would have been a two-run homer by Max Muncy had Pete Crow-Armstrong not timed his jump perfectly to snag the ball over the wall on a highlight reel catch. With that, Hodge secured his fifth save of the year and fourth since Aug. 20. He has continued to be a reliable high-leverage option for the Cubs and is now up to 14 straight scoreless appearances while giving up only five hits in 15 innings over that span. For the year, he owns a 1.66 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 46:17 K:BB in 38 innings.
Hodge walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Yankees.
Hodge continues to thrive in a high-leverage role. He's on a 14-inning scoreless streak, posting a 20:6 K:BB with just five hits allowed in that span. The 23-year-old right-hander has pitched to an excellent 1.70 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB while collecting four saves and nine holds over 37 innings this season. He has functioned as the Cubs' primary closer since Aug. 20. Hodge won't face much competition for the closing job while Jorge Lopez (groin) is on the injured list.
Hodge pitched a clean ninth inning in Wednesday's 12-0 win over the Pirates to wrap up a combined no-hitter for the Cubs.
It wasn't a save situation for Hodge, though he still faced plenty of pressure after starter Shota Imanaga and Nate Pearson kept Pittsburgh without a hit through eight innings. Hodge didn't flinch and breezed through the frame on just nine pitches, which has been customary for the young righty all season as he's now sporting a sparkling 1.75 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Hodge looks locked in as the Cubs' closer for the rest of 2024, and the 23-year-old appears ready to be a fantasy contributor for years to come as well.
Hodge earned the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Nationals, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
Hodge put two runners on with one out but registered back-to-back punchouts to earn his third save of the season. He has recorded either a win or a save in four of his past five outings and has not allowed a run in 11 consecutive appearances. On the season, the rookie has been impressive across the board with a 1.80 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB over 35 innings and figures to lead the Cubs in save chances down the stretch.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Records third win Wednesday
Rotowire
Hodge (3-1) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 14-10 victory over the Pirates. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Hodge has all three of his wins this season in the last 18 days, and he's been stellar this month with a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 12 innings in August. For the season, he has an outstanding 1.85 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 34 innings to go along with 43 strikeouts. With Hector Neris gone, Hodge has ascended to the top of the pecking order in Chicago's bullpen, and the young righty has certainly been up to the task so far.
Hodge (2-1) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Friday against the Marlins. He walked one and struck out three.
Hodge came on with two outs in the seventh inning, then worked through the eighth as well. The young righty continued his strong recent play and lowered his season ERA to a sparkling 1.99. Jorge Lopez worked the ninth for the save in Friday's 6-3 win, but the two pitchers may simply split closing duties moving forward following the release of Hector Neris on Tuesday. It was Hodge who secured the first save for the Cubs after Neris was cut loose.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Gets first chance to close
Rotowire
Hodge worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Tigers. He struck out two.
On the same day that the Cubs released veteran reliever Hector Neris, Hodge stepped up to earn his second save of the season. The young righty could be poised to serve as Chicago's primary closer, and he's looked the part this year with a 2.08 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 36 strikeouts across 30.1 innings. Jorge Lopez may also factor into the mix for saves, though Hodge seems to have the higher upside between the two.
Hodge pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to record a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He walked two and struck out two.
Hodge worked in front of Jorge Lopez, who picked up the save with regular closer Hector Neris unavailable after throwing 33 pitches in a blown save Friday. It remains to be seen if Neris will return to the role moving forward, but if the Cubs decide to make a change, both Hodge and Lopez could see save opportunities. Tyson Miller would likely be in the mix as well based on his strong play this season. For now, Hodge remains a strong setup option with a 2.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 29.1 innings this year, to go along with a team-high nine holds.
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Cubs' Porter Hodge: Earns first MLB win Saturday
Rotowire
Hodge (1-1) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the White Sox. He struck out one.
Hodge continued his strong play and earned the first win of his MLB career Saturday. The 23-year-old rookie has a 2.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 30 strikeouts across his first 26.2 innings. The Cubs have gone with veteran Hector Neris as their closer this season, but he's on a one-year contract, meaning Hodge could potentially take over in 2025. The young righty has shown the stuff to be an effective closer at this level.
