NEWSLETTER
This morning, the Chicago Cubs announced the order of their starting rotation – Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish, Jose Quintana, Tyler Chatwood – and it sparked a friendly debate/open conversation between Brett, Luis and myself after I sent out this tweet:
It is downright SILLY that Jose Quintana (29 years old) and Yu Darvish (31 years old) – who rank 10th and 18th in WAR since 2012 – are the Cubs third and fourth starters. This rotation is absolutely LOADED. https://t.co/OnolyIVrlq
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) February 28, 2018
In short, I wondered whether this particular Cubs rotation is the coolest/best/most intimidating/awesome of all-time. We already discovered that their projections point to them being among the best Cubs rotations in a while, but I’m more wondering about this idea outside of the numbers (i.e. from a purely fan-boasting perspective).
So regardless of what actually happens this season, is this rotation, as of Spring Training, the Cubs most impressive group at this point in the season? It’s gotta be pretty close. Brett pointed to the 2004 rotation featuring Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, Matt Clement, and Carlos Zambrano … and, yeah, that one might rival 2018. But even granted that concession, I think – at an absolute minimum – this is the second best rotation for the Cubs that I can remember. And in my opinion, it rivals that 2004 group.
Thoughts?
Cubs win!
Final: #Cubs 7, A's 5.
Box: https://t.co/iVlqvWVibE #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/so0umdO4Cx
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2018
Bryant won't play for a day or two to build some strength back up after being sick. Zobrist a few days away as well. Maybe even into next week for him.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 28, 2018
High-five season. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/F7dsBEbfhw
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2018
Play ball!
⚾️ https://t.co/IOfiVXtjao ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/Bme94u7HMU
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2018
It’s all Happ-ening!
He’s red hot at the plate AND on the golf course. @Kelly_Crull hits the links with @ihapp_1 TONIGHT at 10 on In The Loop! pic.twitter.com/b0ijDQ0zFY
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) February 28, 2018
Order of operations. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/pHJVDVrYgL
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2018
#Cubs Hendricks has never been an Opening Day starter. "Let's get another World Series. Who cares about the 1st game? I'll take the last game. Always."
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 28, 2018
Happy #GloveDay at #SpringTraining! pic.twitter.com/9ttI8tAg7h
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2018
#Cubs Lester gets his Wilson glove. pic.twitter.com/GQMeXdw5lr
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/javy23baez/status/968908766950248450
Note to the Chicago nurse and #Cubs fan who gave me the homemade rosary for Javy Baez on Tue: I gave it to Javy and he put it on right away
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 28, 2018
Brett Taylor contributed to this post.
