Chicago Cubs: Takeaways from the series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers

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Apr 13, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Brett Anderson (37) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Might not be pretty, but getting the job done

Looking at the box score from Thursday’s series finale, one would never know Brett Anderson lucked his way into five scoreless frames.

Two outstanding defensive plays in center by Albert Almora and another in right by Jason Heyward saved multiple runs and, somehow, the lefty worked around four walks to keep the Dodgers off the scoreboard. But outings like these will certainly come back to haunt you if you let them.

Still, two starts into his Cubs career and Anderson owns a 0.84 ERA across 10 2/3 frames. Not too shabby for a guy who basically missed the entire 2016 season. But it’s not just Anderson who has been sharp over the first two weeks of the campaign.

As a starting staff, Chicago leads all of Major League Baseball with a 2.64 ERA. Opponents are batting just .213 against Cubs starters, who have limited other teams to a .272 OBP so far.

Jake Arrieta is looking like a Cy Young candidate again this season and if Hendricks and Lester keep doing their thing, Joe Maddon‘s team may very well take a run at the title of best rotation in the entire league by season’s end.

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