Chicago Cubs: Are there reasons to worry about the rotation?

The Chicago Cubs on paper possessed a very good pitching rotation the past few years, and continue to do so for 2019. But there reasons for some concern?

Right now the Chicago Cubs have a starting rotation that, for all intents and purposes, is set heading into 2019: Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Cole Hamels, Yu Darvish and Jose Quintana. Looking at their careers as a whole and their raw abilities, that is a really good rotation on paper. Unless Theo Epstein shocks us all, this looks like the five guys starting on the mound come Opening Week.

Last year we saw the rotation start off slow, accumulating a 4.68 FIP in 503 innings (26th in MLB) in the first half. There was no doubt frustration last year when starters struggled to go deep in games as the rotation just not pitching as expected. Sadly a lot of the burden was put on the bullpen which was gassed by the end of the season.

They did at least show their worth in the second half with a collective 3.81 FIP, 3.79 ERA and 0.94 WHIP; Cole Hamels certainly played a huge role along with Hendricks returning to form. Can last year reveal anything about how the rotation will do in 2019 and should we have concerns if any?

Every team, even the best, have areas of weakness. Things like age, health and consistency can all be applied to evaluating these five guys.