Chicago Cubs: Who is the ace of the Cubs’ staff?

Cubs’ pitching has fallen on tough times in 2017

A deep run into the postseason can wear down a starting staff. Jon Lester, for example, tossed 202 2/3 innings in the regular season in 2016. Tack on an extra 35 2/3 innings of postseason work and Lester recorded just shy of 240 innings pitched in 2016.

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Despite the increased work load, the numbers that have been put up by the Cubs’ staff are unacceptable. Through the first 62 games of this season, the Cubs have used seven different starting pitchers. The Cubs only used 11 different starting pitchers in 2016. This increase in pitchers is greatly due to injuries that have plagued the staff this season. Brett Anderson has been on the DL since May with a bad back, and was just transferred to the 60-day DL. Anderson is sporting an 8.18 ERA in six starts this season.

Also on the DL is Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks was placed on the DL last week due to tendinitis in his throwing hand. The 27-year-old has posted a 4.09 ERA in 61 2/3 innings this season.

Due to these injuries, Mike Montgomery and Eddie Butler have had to step in and pick up the slack. Butler, who has made six starts compared to Montgomery’s one, is sporting a 3-2 record with a 4.03 ERA in 29 innings pitched.