Chicago Cubs: This starting rotation could be even better than in 2016

Starting pitching dominance played an integral role in the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series two years ago. To reach the Fall Classic again in 2018, they’ll need more of the same.

Pitching and defense wins championships. Period. The Chicago Cubs followed that formula to perfect in their 2016 World Series championship run and hope to replicate that again this season.

With the addition of Yu Darvish to the rotation, Joe Maddon now has control over one of the best starting fives in all of baseball. The right-hander, at least from a roster standpoint, replaces Jake Arrieta – who, at times, seemed to be on the decline in 2017. Tyler Chatwood, of course, replaces John Lackey, who remains unsigned.

Darvish joins the Cubs’ core trio of Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana atop the rotation. This group is so talented that if you ask five different people how you should order these starters, you may very well wind up with five different answers.

It’s an enviable position.

Here’s how this pitching staff could at the very least match – and perhaps outperform – the rotation from two years ago. And yes, it is possible.