MLB Preview: Ranking the top five pitching rotations for 2016

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4. Chicago Cubs

Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Jake Arrieta
  2. Jon Lester
  3. John Lackey
  4. Jason Hammel
  5. Kyle Hendricks

Boy, has this rotation changed for the better over the past couple seasons.

A few years ago, Jake Arrieta was wasted potential, and now he is coming off of season where he earned a Cy Young Award and was truly the most dominant pitcher in the league for the last couple months of 2015. Jon Lester was with Theo Epstein and the Red Sox a few years ago, now he is the number two starter with Epstein in Chicago.

Chicago also went out and acquired Jason Hammel and John Lackey who have found new life in the careers. Kyle Hendricks seems to be the only weak spot on this staff. There is both upper-end talent in this rotation and depth, another solid starter and they could jump a couple of teams on this list.

Next: 3. St. Louis Cardinals