83

In the most recent game, the lost of which led to the Cubs suffering their first ever season series sweep at the hands of another NL team (at least according to Pat Hughes), Cub pitchers combined to throw a mind-blowing 174 pitches as opposed to the lone SD pitcher, Clay Hensley who only threw 91 pitches including 31 pitches over the last 4 innings and 3 pitches to get 3 batters out in the 9th Inning.

Here are the Cold Equations:

Cubs: 174 pitches
Hensley: 91

Difference : 83 pitches

That 83 pitch margin is the difference between keeping a strong healthy bullpen and seeing the bullpen getting completely burned out. If the team is to have any hope of a turnaround, then future disasters like Sunday's game need to be averted.

As of the moment, there is already some bullpen burnout in the form of Ohman & Rusch both of whom seem to be low on gas. Both Novoa & Williamson seem to be wearing down. Only Eyre & Howry seem to be holding firm. As for Dempster, he is in a kind of pitching Twilight Zone, so its difficult to tell if the 3-run HR he gave up recently was only a fluke or a sign of bad things to come.

P.S.: If you have any doubt as to whether or not the Cubs really did throw 174 pitches in that 9-0 blowout, Here's my source:

Source

And a cut and paste job from that source:

Pitches-strikes: Hensley 91-59, Hill 90-53, Williamson 17-10, Novoa 23-10, Ryu 27-14, Howry 17-10.

Add them up and see for yourself.

P.P.S.: For a further stat showing just how bad Cubs pitching was on Sunday, consider that more Padres were walked (10 BB + 1 HBP) than got hits (9).