Cubs Set Starting Rotation for 2017
Joe Maddon, Cubs announce the starting rotation for the upcoming season
On Thursday Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon announced the starting rotation for the 2017 season.
As announced earlier this month, Jon Lester will be the Cubs Opening Day starter on April 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Lester earned the honors by posting a 19–5 record with a 2.44 ERA in 2016. The 6'4" lefty also had a career best 1.02 WHIP and finished second in the National League Cy Young voting.
The Cubs number two starter for the 2017 season will be 2015 National League Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta. Arrieta was an 18 game winner in 2016, and compiled a 3.10 ERA to go along with his 190 strikeouts in 197.1 innings pitched. This could very well be Arrieta’s last season with the Cubs as he will likely seek a huge contract after the 2017 season.
Starting game number three of the 2017 season will be veteran John Lackey. The 6'6" right-hander finished the 2016 season with a 3.35 ERA and an 11–8 record. Similar to Lester, Lackey also recorded the lowest WHIP of his career in 2016 with a 1.06 mark. At 38 years old, Lackey could be nearing the end of his career, but the Cubs will be counting on his experience in the middle of their rotation in 2017.
Perhaps the biggest surprise comes with the announcement of the Cubs number four starter. That starter will be former Los Angeles Dodger Brett Anderson. Anderson made 31 starts for the Dodgers in 2015, and finished the season with a 3.69 ERA in 180.1 innings pitched. Despite lasting a full season in 2015, Anderson made just three starts in 2016 due to back surgery. Anderson beat out fellow left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery for the rotation spot. Montgomery will now be relegated to the bullpen.
Rounding out the Cubs rotation will be 2016 MLB ERA leader Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks registered a 2.13 ERA in 2016 to go along with his 16 wins and 170 strikeouts. The 27-year-old Hendricks had his best season in a major league uniform in 2016 by setting career highs in WAR, wins, and strikeouts.
Many people thought Hendricks would be higher in the rotation after his masterful 2016 campaign, but manager Joe Maddon feels having Hendricks in the number five spot is “just how it fit best for the team.”
While this rotation may not be what many Cubs fans were expecting, one thing is certain. Never doubt anything that Joe Maddon does.
Daniel Shepard is a diehard Cubs fan from North Carolina. He really is Cubs Crazy.
