Chicago Cubs need to avoid bringing back John Lackey for 2018

Chicago Cubs: Lackey loves himself some home cooking

Don’t take my belief the Cubs should let John Lackey pitch elsewhere as some sort of dig against him. It’s not. I just think the team would be better served giving the ball to a younger arm with something to prove as opposed to a near-40-year-old veteran on his last leg.

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But make no mistake. He’s still got something to offer.

At Wrigley Field last season, Lackey pitched to a 3.95 ERA in 14 starts and one relief appearance. His 3.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio at home was a sight for sore eyes, as well. Away from the Confines, he struggled badly – to the tune of a 1.353 WHIP and 5.18 earned run average. But, more than anything, it was a tale of two halves for the right-hander.

Prior to the All-Star Break, it seemed like John Lackey might be destined for a one-way ticket out of the Chicago Cubs bullpen. But down the stretch, he found what he’d been missing, putting up a respectable 3.75 ERA in the second-half (down from 5.20 in the first-half).

Between September and October, the animated veteran shined. He allowed just nine earned in nearly 30 innings of work, with the only month he posted a sub-1.000 WHIP in 2017. But, all told, he put up an earned run average north of 5.00 in four of the six months during the regular season.