Call to the pen
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MLB: Top Four Starting Pitcher Trios Heading into 2017

By Anthony Sosa

May 20, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) and New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) walk in from the bullpen before the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) and New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) walk in from the bullpen before the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs

As mentioned in the previous slide, the Chicago Cubs had two pitchers compete for the NL Cy Young in 2016. Both Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks carried the rotation for the Cubs last season. They finished second and third in the Cy Young voting behind Nationals ace Max Scherzer.

The Cubs also have the 2015 NL Cy Young winner, Jake Arrieta. In 2016, Arrieta wasn’t as dominant, but he is still one of the top pitchers in baseball right now.

In 2016, Arrieta owned a record of 18-8 with an ERA of 3.10 and 190 strikeouts. His FIP at 3.52 was a bit higher than his previous two seasons in Chicago. He earned his first All-Star Game selection in 2016. Not too shabby for Chicago’s third best pitcher, statistically, last season.

Lester, in his second season in Chicago, had one of the best seasons of his career. With a 19-5 record, Lester also posted a 2.44 ERA and 197 strikeouts. He too earned an All-Star Game selection in 2016. Cubs manager Joe Maddon tabbed Lester as the 2017 Opening Day starter.

In his third major league season, Hendricks exploded onto the scene and provided the Cubs with a third viable starter in 2016. He went 16-8 last season with an MLB-best 2.13 ERA (Lester’s was second lowest). He struck out 170 batters and owned the fourth-best FIP at 3.20.

Any of these three pitchers could be justified as the Cubs’ ace. As the Cubs look for back-to-back championships, the front portion of their rotation possesses the talent to carry them deep into the postseason again in 2017.

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