PHOENIX – Instead of going into panic mode, Theo Epstein’s sarcasm came through loud and clear.



What are the Cubs going to do without Brandon Morrow? Uh, what they’ve been doing since the All-Star break?



They’ve been good enough to spend every day in first place since the middle of July and compile the National League’s best record. That’s why Epstein dropped hints and one-liners during Monday’s state-of-the-team media briefing at Chase Field. Epstein already sensed that Morrow would be shut down for the rest of the season, but wanted to wait until the Cubs’ first-half closer got another medical opinion on Tuesday from a doctor affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks before making the official announcement.



“I honestly think the quality of our bullpen is being overlooked here,” Epstein said. “It would be real nice if we could be like one of those teams that has the best bullpen ERA in the...