Chicago Cubs need starting pitching, but it’s still complicated

Chicago Cubs: A strength becomes a weakness for team

While nobody could have anticipated the Cubs being in the market to add a starting pitcher, here we are.

Both Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana have been up and down, although the latter has been more consistent of late. Staff ace Jon Lester has been really good, but analytics project his numbers to decline during the second half of the season. Darvish has notoriously battled mental hurdles, along with injuries, and remains a major question mark and may not prove to be a reliable contributor this season.

So what now?

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Time to go shopping

Despite the aforementioned troubles in the Cubs rotation, the team has the best record in the National League. Thanks in large part to a lineup led by MVP candidate Javier Baez and a steady bullpen, the Cubs have survived the rotation issues.

They’ve been linked to starters such as J.A. Happ, Cole Hamels, Nathan Eovaldi and even Jacob degrom.

Any of these additions would be an instant boost to the club, but how would they fit in. Lets look at how all of this would shape up if the Cubs were to make the playoffs-which they should.

In a five-game series, the Cubs would undoubtedly turn to Lester and Hendricks to head the rotation. Both have shown the ability to pitch at their best in big games. Quintana would also figure to be in the mix, especially with how he’s pitched in his last few outings.