Chicago Cubs: Battle for fifth starter takes center stage this weekend

The key question the Chicago Cubs need to answer centers around the fifth starter in the rotation. Who fills that role may be answered this weekend.

There are very few questions the Chicago Cubs’ front office and coaches need to answer. Who wins the battle of center field? Are the adjustments to the bullpen truly an improvement over last season? Which prospects are ready to make the jump to the Majors?

Honestly, these questions are relatively minor. There is enough depth in the outfield to manage any situation. The bullpen pitchers are known commodities, mostly. And, while the prospects are starting to show their potential, their path is largely impeded.

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The main question mark for the team is who fills out the starting rotation. Speculation and banter during the offseason lead to two strong candidates. This weekend, their performance will lead to more clarity.

The Candidates

We know who they are. The incumbent, Mike Montgomery, arrived in Chicago just before the trade deadline last year. And, while he split time between the bullpen and the rotation, his consistent ability to force groundballs made Montgomery a favorite of manager Joe Maddon.

For the 2016 season, 58.4 percent of balls hit in play were grounders. Opponents only hit .267 on balls in play as well. Furthermore, they only hit 51 flyballs off Montgomery, and hard contact happened only one-quarter of the time. These stats mean more chances for the infield and less extra-base hits.

The Chicago Cubs added Brett Anderson to the roster, as well. Injuries forced several short seasons for the left-hander, pitching in 30 games in a season twice (2009, 2015). There is a great amount of talent, but can health be achieved? For his career, Anderson holds a 3.86 ERA, an 2.77 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.318 WHIP.

Like Montgomery, Anderson can force grounders more than half the time. Batters make soft contact only 24.5 percent of the time, better than Montgomery. But he relies on his fastballs a great deal.  He also utilizes a slider, curve (or knuckle curve) and a change-up; however, the velocity of each are similar to the others. Montgomery’s use of movement and velocity lead to his effectiveness.

The Audition

Both Montgomery and Anderson pitched in two games this Spring, so far. Montgomery starts for the Chicago Cubs today (3/9) against the Seattle Mariners. While he has a loss on his record, his ERA is 0.00 in two innings. He gave up two hits and two walks. But five of his six outs are strikeouts.

In contrast, Anderson does own a win, yet in two games, his ERA is 6.00. The runs allowed occurred against his old team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a two-inning relief appearance. The good news is that no walks are on his record to this point. While no starter is announced for Saturday, Anderson will make an appearance Friday or Saturday.

The positive of the situation is the fact the Maddon enjoys using a six-man rotation in order to limit innings, lessening the wear-and-tear on his pitchers. Both players will get their chances to start, and both will find time in the bullpen.

Next: A new prospect ready to work, win with new organization

It is just a matter of who the team is more confident in on April 8.