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Chicago Cubs: Bold Predictions for the starting rotation
Win-Win-Win
It almost happened last year and will happen in 2017. That is as long as everyone remains healthy. And, it has not occurred since 1973. In 2017, the Chicago Cubs will have three 20-game winners on the starting rotation. Last year, Jake Arrieta ended up with 19 wins, Jon Lester with 18, and Kyle Hendricks with 16. This year, all will have 20 wins or more.
Lester took a major step forward after a down year in 2015. Hendricks proved to be a top-notch starter, and Arrieta was solid even if the season did not go as we anticipated for him. Arrieta is also in a contract year. Add to this a more powerful offense and less pressure to win, you have the formula for success.
To be extra bold, it is possible that the Cubs finish the season with four 20-game winners. That has only happened twice in baseball history. It may not happen again. If there were a year for the Cubs to do it, however, this is the year.