Despite winning the series at Wrigley Field, the Pittsburgh Pirates are leaving Chicago with a bad taste in their mouths.

After leading 5-0 thanks to a home run by Oneil Cruz and a grand slam by Brandon Lowe, the Cubs mounted a comeback, eventually winning the game in a walk-off, 7-6 to salvage the final game of the series.

Pittsburgh’s wins on Friday and Saturday, but especially the loss on Sunday, taxed the Pirate bullpen and exposed some of the flaws in their relieving staff. In particular, right-hander Justin Lawrence had a brutal series, including a hit, two walks, and two runs in yesterday’s loss.

Righty José Urquidy also had a rough go. The veteran, in his first full season coming off of surgery, gave up three hits and a walk, and was charged with the loss as the Cubs walked him off.

With the bullpen experiencing a heavy workload and some of the arms looking rather unreliable, it might be a good time to check in some pitching options down on the farm if the Pirates decide they need to make a move.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, some of the options they may have had on the short list to Pittsburgh haven’t started off so well in Triple-A Indianapolis.

Brandan Bidois, the 24-year-old Australian who skyrocketed through all four minor league teams last season, is still settling into the Triple-A season. Through 6.1 innings, the righty has allowed five earned runs and walked six batters, to go along with eight strikeouts.

Bidois’ 0.74 ERA across 61 minor league innings in all four levels suggests the swelling will stop soon, but the struggles he is showing so far likely puts a pause on the Pirates promoting him right now.

Mike Clevinger is also looking to improve his numbers. A nine-year big league vet who had an extended run in spring training with the Pirates back in Bradenton. But the right-handed arm struggled in spring training, amassing a 5.29 ERA, 1.353 WHIP, and 1.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and it hasn’t gone a whole lot better in Triple-A.

Through 8.2 innings in Indianapolis, Clevinger has allowed six earned runs and walked five batters. Clevinger’s Triple-A run is odd to look at; he has pitched four scoreless relief appearances and opponents hit just .172 against him, but he was lit up for three earned runs yesterday.

His experience will make him an option, but if the Pirates wanted to promote Clevinger, they would have to be wary of the blow ups he has suffered so far in Indianapolis.

The Pirates do have other options as well, if they feel comfortable enough calling upon any of them.

Evan Sisk, part of the return in the Bailey Falter trade last year, has just one earned run against him so far this season in Triple-A. Through 7.2 innings coming out of the bullpen, Sisk has the lowest era in Indianapolis and is tied for the team lead in strikeouts at 14.

Sisk also has some big league experience, making his MLB debut last season in Kansas City and getting into 12.1 innings and allowing six runs. Sisk would also give the Pirates another lefty in the bullpen. His walks, however, are a concern. He’s issued seven so far this season, and on a team that already has a walks issue, he probably doesn’t help with that.

From the rotation, the Indians offer several arms who the Pirates could explore bringing in as long relievers, something they desperately lack in their current bullpen.

Noah Davis is excelling in Indianapolis. The 28-year-old journeyman hasn’t made much of an impact in the major leagues so far this season, compiling a 9.53 ERA in 62.1 innings and four years. But the righty is off to an incredible start in Indianapolis, posting a 2.30 ERA in 15.2 innings (three starts).

Opponents are batting just .151 against him, with Davis racking up 14 strikeouts as a starter. Converting him into a bullpen arm would be an adjustment, but the numbers are enticing if the Pirates want to try it.

If it’s a homegrown talent (and someone they’ve used as a long reliever before) they’re looking for, Thomas Harrington could also catch their eye.

Harrington made his MLB debut last season and really struggled. In his first start, he surrendered seven hits, six earned runs, four walks, and a home run. In his follow-up appearance, he allowed four hits, three earned runs, and two homers. His appearance in August was even worse.

Harrington has had unfortunate luck with an 0-2 record, but he has a 2.84 ERA in 12.2 innings, with 12 strikeouts to six walks. He’s coming off a seven-strikeout start on Saturday, an encouraging sign for the right-hander.

Given he tossed four innings this weekend, the Pirates might need to wait a few days to work him into games, but he remains an option.

It will be interesting to see what, if anything, the Pirates do to address some of the bullpen woes. But there are names to keep an eye on in Triple-A, whether we see them now or later.