Chicago Cubs: If Cubs get past Colorado, how will rotation line up?

With an offense that’s been like sailing on choppy seas this year, the Chicago Cubs’ World Series aspirations may lie on the arms of their five starters.

The Chicago Cubs had high hopes after an offseason in which they seemingly shored up the team’s biggest weakness – its pitching staff. The club had come to terms with coveted free-agent right-hander Yu Darvish on a surprisingly team-friendly contract, and the additional veteran signings (Tyler Chatwood, Steve Cishek) helped to solidify the staff.

Unfortunately, sometimes plans fail to evolve as expected, and for the Cubs this became a reality when Darvish hit the disabled list, leading the team to make some unusual moves to help shore things up in the interim.

The rotation has responded admirably following the loss of Darvish, and a new face has helped to keep the club in charge. Now, heading into October and a potential divisional clash in the National League Division Series, here is how the club should line up their starting rotation.

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks, RHP

Hendricks does not have nearly as much postseason experience as Jon Lester. However, in the small sample size which Hendricks does carry, it has been impressive. In 10 starts in the postseason, spanning 50 total innings, Hendricks has produced a record of 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA.

In 2016, Hendricks gave up a measly three earned runs in five postseason starts. His most impressive start of that stretch was Game 6 of the National League Championship Series where he finished 7 1/3 shutout innings on the way to the Cubs clinching the National League pennant.

Last year, the team made a change as Hendricks kicked the postseason off for the Cubs, pitching seven shutout innings on the way to a Game 1 victory. Unfortunately, following the phenomenal start, Hendricks was pretty lackluster from there.

Nevertheless, their right-hander is one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball and is a substantial arm to pair with Jon Lester. Hendricks is who he is, and there is never an expectation of him to be better than that. The impressive level of consistency will play a big factor in his success to the postseason rotation.

Chicago Cubs: Cole Hamels, LHP

For a spot which the Cubs, as well as their fans, imagined Yu Darvish to be in, instead, it is the ageless wonder in the form of Cole Hamels. Baseball sure can be fun and exciting, with many wild twists and turns.

Nearing the trade deadline with conflicting news on the return of Darvish, the Cubs found themselves in acquisition mode. Enter Cole Hamels. In an unlikely move, they acquired Hamels to shore up the rotation, and my goodness has Hamels stepped up and pitched brilliantly.

Hamels has thrown 69 1.3 innings in a Cubs uniform in 2018, pitching to the tune of a 2.47 ERA. Nobody expected the result that is, but here we are, and it is wonderful. Regarding postseason pitching as well, Hamels understands the nature of what needs to be done to be successful.

For Hamels, his strikeout percentage is once again back up, from 17.1 percent last year to 23.2 percent this season. Hamels has also decreased his walk percentage slightly as well as a much lower xFIP down from a 4.83 to a 3.97. He has found his groove in a Cubbies uniform.

In his career, Hamels has made 16 starts, posting a 7-6 record with a well-balanced 3.48 ERA. His best postseason came when the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series in 2008. Hamels finished that postseason 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA. As a secure way to balance the rotation for the best-case scenario for the Cubs, Hamels should justifiably be a solid middle-rotation piece.

Chicago Cubs: Jon Lester, LHP

Let’s be clear – if not for starting the Wild Card game on Tuesday at Wrigley Field, it’s irrefutable that Jon Lester would kick off the Division Series for Joe Maddon‘s Cubs. But, given he needs to lead Chicago past the Rockies, he’ll likely slot in next weekend in the NLDS.

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Lester has established himself as a solid top-of-the-rotation starter in the postseason. Of the starters for the Cubs, Lester, hands down, carries the most postseason experience. In each of Lester’s first two seasons with the Cubs, he started the first game in the National League Division Series and National League Championship Series.

The 2016 World Championship season, Lester finished with an impressive 2.02 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched, and being named the MVP for the National League Championship Series. Last season, despite various struggles with the pitch count, Lester still managed to finish with an ERA under 2.00, at 1.88, in 14 2/3 innings pitched.

The big lefty from the Pacific Northwest carries an intimidating demeanor on the mound, and who better to get the Cubs rolling once again in the postseason than Jon Lester. Regarding overall experience and excellent levels of production in a high-leverage situation, there is nobody better to start them off strong.

Chicago Cubs: Jose Quintana, LHP

Quintana is a tough nut to crack, just because of his inscrutable inconsistency. Since arriving on the North Side of Chicago, Quintana has not lived up to the hype or level of production of which he had on the South Side with the White Sox.

Nevertheless, when Quintana is on, he is difficult to hit, and with the rotation currently sitting as it is, he is a staple and seems to be a perennial postseason dark horse. In his Cubs career, Quintana has a 3.97 ERA and a 23.7 percent strikeout percentage.

Quintana has minimal postseason experience, outside of that from last year with the Cubs. He never made it to the postseason with the White Sox. In four career playoff games, to include three starts, Quintana is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. The tiny sample size is difficult to measure in overall efficiency. However, that minute sample size has not been great.

Last season, in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, Quintana made his best start, pitching 5 2/3 shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Unfortunately, that success felt lost when, in his final start of the postseason, Quintana wholly imploded.

The Cubs and their fans hope that the real Jose Quintana will show up in the NLDS, to respond with success if called upon. Quintana finds himself as the number four starter of this playoff rotation.

Chicago Cubs: Mike Montgomery, LHP

The Cubs find themselves with a left-handed heavy starting rotation, as Montgomery inevitably rounds out the postseason group. That being said, considering the position, Montgomery does bring solid back-end production for the Cubs.

In his Cubs career, Montgomery has a 3.56 ERA over 290 innings pitched. He has been a solid starter, in his role making spot starts for the club and has established himself as a consistent producer.

This season has not been as solid for Montgomery. However, he has still pitched respectably when called upon throughout the year. He currently owns a 3.99 ERA in 121 2/3 innings pitched, with 18 starts. Montgomery has posted a 3.97 FIP and a 4.27 xFIP. In 2016, Montgomery gave up just two earned runs over ten innings pitched between the NLDS and the World Series.

While Montgomery is not the flashiest option, he does provide the necessary end of the rotation depth the Cubs so desperately need, making him the most viable option for the Cubs in the postseason.