Chicago Cubs: A healthy Yu Darvish could be a shot in the arm for staff

Chicago Cubs: A shot in the arm for the rotation

As Jon Lester eyes his 13th win of the season on Sunday, the Cubs rotation continues to seek regular stability. So far in August, both Jose Quintana and Cole Hamels turned in solid performances – while Kyle Hendricks faltered late in his outing against the Padres.

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We’ve talked about it too many times to count. For the Cubs to have a shot at a second championship in three years, Quintana and Hendricks must step up and fill the void in the rotation. What void? The clear drop off between Lester and every other member of the staff.

Or do they?

If Darvish can return and get back to what he did for the Dodgers late last season, the Cubs immediately become a better team. After being traded to Los Angeles from Texas, the righty turned in nine starts in which he posted a 3.44 ERA, 11.1 K/9 and 3.38 FIP. After the inauspicious start to his career in Chicago, we’d all bow down to such a performance.

More importantly, the pecking order in the postseason would shake out a little clearer. Lester, Darvish, Hendricks, Quintana? That’s a pretty solid bunch to throw come October.