Chicago Cubs need to avoid bringing back John Lackey for 2018
By Jake Misener
![CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: John Lackey #41 of the Chicago Cubs argues a call with home plate umpire Jordan Baker #71 during the fifth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 15, 2017 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: John Lackey #41 of the Chicago Cubs argues a call with home plate umpire Jordan Baker #71 during the fifth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 15, 2017 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcubbiescrib-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F09-2F847507928-st-louis-cardinals-v-chicago-cubs-jpg-850x560-5650a6b51d6331c9273a5cef019069a9.jpg)
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.