Chicago Cubs: Jose Quintana finally delivers huge performance
The Chicago Cubs finally got what they signed up for when they traded for Jose Quintana.
All Chicago Cubs fans know the deal by now. Back in July 2017, Theo Epstein sent slugger Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease (among others) to the Chicago White Sox for left-hander Jose Quintana. Revisionist history aside, Quintana was highly sought after during the trade deadline.
The Cubs made their move and acquired him in the hopes of making another World Series run. Unfortunately, it did not happen and Quintana’s time with the Cubbies has largely been viewed as a disappointment.
Since dazzling fans in his debut, going seven innings and striking out 12, Quintana has been pretty mediocre. If not the Cubs, then fans, have certainly had some buyer’s remorse over the trade. Further complicating things has been the meteoric rise of Eloy Jimenez for the Sox.
However, at a time the Cubs most needed him to step up, Quintana did just that. The Cubs went into the game sporting a 3-8 record, good for last place in the division. They returned home to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates after losing two of three to the Milwaukee Brewers. While Jon Lester delivered in the series opener, he also landed himself on the IL.
With Yu Darvish remaining a huge question mark, the Cubs need Quintana to step up and be the ace in Lester’s absence.
Well, he was up to the task last night. He turned in seven outstanding innings of work, struck out 11, and walked just one batter. He fought through the elements, scattering four hits and not yielding an earned run en route to a much needed 2-0 victory.
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Quintana has taken an awful amount of heat and criticism since the trade. Much of it has been deserved due to his poor performance. However, he deserves a ton of credit for last night’s outing. Quintana is a very talented pitcher who, for whatever reason, has not put it all together since arriving in Chicago. Perhaps this is the start he will use to turn the corner. If so, it could be the kick in the rear this team needs.