Chicago Cubs: Breaking down Jose Quintana’s body of work

A mixed bag in a Cubs’ uniform

I don’t think that Jose Quintana has pitched that poorly, to be honest. As noted earlier, in five starts, he allowed more than three earned runs just one time – in a loss to the Diamondbacks.

In fact, he pitched at least six innings in all but one of those starts, as well. His last start, which came earlier this week against the San Francisco Giants, an early three-run home run doomed him – but he settled in and got through six on just 89 pitches. In case you’re figuring at home, that’s a quality start, folks.

The problem with his performance so far hasn’t been so much on the mound as it’s been in the minds of Cubs fans. They expected a Cy Young-caliber pitcher when the deal was made. It’s not to say that won’t ever happen – but there are few indications we’ll see such dominance in 2017.

With Quintana, you get consistency. In his five Cubs starts, the southpaw can claim four quality starts. I don’t know what else you want from a newly-acquired arm learning a new receiver, league and division while competing in the heat of a playoff race. I really don’t.