5 reasons why Chicago Cubs are poised for 2018 World Series run
By Ryan Heckman
The Cubs have a top-3 rotation in all of baseball.
Do the Cubs have their best pitching rotation in franchise history? This has been the burning question among media in Chicago as of late. I’m not here to talk about whether or not that’s a fact, but I am here to tell you that they boast a top-3 rotation in the Majors without question.
Essentially, the Cubs swapped Jake Arrieta for Yu Darvish. Was that the best possible outcome for the Cubs this offseason? Some may say yes, others side with Arrieta. Regardless, Darvish is still a top-tier pitcher and a four-time All Star nonetheless — and he is going to be third in the rotation.
The Cubs have an incredible luxury being able to go so deep in their rotation. Sure, Darvish is third, but Jose Quintana is fourth — that’s not a spot he’s used to being in, and he’s relishing that opportunity. Quintana came to the Cubs from across town last year and struck out 12 in his first start with the Club.
Once again, he’s fourth in the rotation.
See, teams will need to look out for the number one guy in Jon Lester of course. We don’t need to talk about the three-time World Series champion a whole lot. You know what you’re getting there.
Kyle Hendricks is next in line at number two, just two years removed from having the lowest ERA in all of baseball at 2.13 in 2016. Last year wasn’t too shabby either, despite some injuries, as Hendricks finished at 3.03.
Fifth in line is Tyler Chatwood, who spent four of his last five seasons on a losing team in the Colorado Rockies. Like Quintana, the win-loss numbers don’t always tell all. Chatwood might be the best fifth starter in all of baseball, with a career ERA of 4.31 and WHIP of 1.49.