UPDATED: Chicago Cubs playoff rotation

Jose Quintana: Since coming over from cross-town rival Chicago White Sox in the middle of July, Quintana has provided the Chicago Cubs with exactly what they needed, a pitcher who can go deep into games every now and then to give the bullpen a rest. In 14 starts with the Cubs, Quintana went 7-3 with a 3.74 ERA, that number isn’t dominating like Hendricks was throughout the season, but it is more than serviceable. One thing he does have on his side is the advanced numbers category. With a K% above 26%, he brings the ability to strike out batters when needed, that ability will certainly be needed against the power-hitting Washington Nationals. He also sports a career BAA, .234 throughout the 2017 season.

There are two ways to look at as to why Jose Quintana is starting Game 3. The first one being that if the team is down 2-0 back at home, he brings the right stuff in order to secure a win to get to Game 4 of a series. The other way is that if by some miracle the Chicago Cubs do win two games in DC, they will be coming back home with a chance to sweep the Nationals. There’s no better person to throw out there in a clinching scenario.