Chicago Cubs: Why the starting rotation is most important for the Cubs

Elite baseball teams have one thing in common, elite pitching.  It starts and ends on the mound, and for the Chicago Cubs, that’s no different in 2017.

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs were near the top of Major League baseball in most offensive categories. They were tops in walks, third in runs scored, third in OPS, second in OBP and sixth in doubles.  The 2016 Chicago Cubs were a very good offensive team.

On the pitching side of things, the Cubs were even better.  They led baseball with a 3.15 ERA, were third in strikeouts, first in opponent batting average and WHIP, and they gave up the least amount of hits. The moral of the story is that the Cubs were an elite team in 2016.  After all, they did win the World Series.

The Cubs’ starting rotation, as a whole, had an ERA of 3.15.  Cubs starters had the lowest BABIP of any rotation, at a robust .252.  Their 989 innings pitched led the National League.  The Cubs starting rotation was the anchor of the team, and, with almost every starter back in 2017, the rotation should anchor them again.
7, the rotation should anchor them again.

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The Cubs’ starting rotation, as a whole, had an ERA of 3.15.  Cubs starters had the lowest BABIP of any rotation, at a robust .252.  Their 989 innings pitched led the National League.  The Cubs starting rotation was the anchor of the team, and, with almost every starter back in 201

Currently, the rotation’s order is Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, while the fifth spot is still up for grabs.  Mike Montgomery and Brett Anderson are competing for the fifth spot, but they should both get their share of starts throughout the year.  Looking at the past five World Series champions, they all had good starting rotations.

Looking at the past five World Series champions, they all had good starting rotations.

• 2012 Giants: 3.68
• 2013 Red Sox: 3.79
• 2014 Giants: 3.50
• 2015 Royals: 3.74
• 2016 Cubs: 3.15

There is a theme among all these teams, and that is good starting pitching.  The 2016 Cubs seemed to be a step above these teams, though, and that was because of defense.  The Cubs had 82 DRS during the 2016 season.  For comparison, the next closest was the Giants, with just 50 DRS.

Next: Young Stars Show Off

The Cubs’ starting rotation and the young core has been the key to them taking the next step forward the past two seasons.  But after back-to-back years of heavy workloads, can they do it again in 2017?