Chicago Cubs: Pitching could be this team’s biggest strength in 2018

Cubs, Cardinals headline rotations entering 2018

Figure 7: Starting Pitcher Comparison – 2018 Projected WAR

This should remove any lingering questions there may be on the subject of starting pitching. Chicago’s rotation is markedly better than the other four in the division. Meanwhile, St. Louis is significantly better than the third-place staff in Milwaukee. You also notice just how poor – relatively speaking – Cincinnati’s starting arms are. The good news for Reds fans is they have enough youth to have this low WAR estimate based more on not having enough good information on the players than actually not having any good arms.

To circle back to an earlier point, let’s talk Milwaukee. These numbers are another contributing factor to my less bullish take on the Brewers than what others see. Milwaukee had clear needs at catcher, middle infield and in their rotation. Instead, they prioritized Lorenzo Cain as their main free agent acquisition.