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Chicago Cubs: Bullpen has shouldered the load for the Cubs all season
By Brian Thomas
Going into this season the general consensus was the starting pitching would carry the Chicago Cubs. But that has not proven to be the case in any way.
In the offseason, the Chicago Cubs made it a goal to significantly upgrade their starting rotation. Theo Epstein knew he was losing two big pieces in John Lackey and former National League Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta.
To do so, they signed both Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood via free agency to go along with an already formidable trio of Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana. On paper, the Cubs vastly improved their rotation and looked to be one of the best in the league.
To say that has not been the case would be quite the understatement. Each starter has had their own issues or injuries to work through this season, most notably the two newcomers, Darvish and Chatwood.