Their pitching staff is as deep as it is talented
There is arguably nothing more valuable in the playoffs than a dominant pitching staff, and that is exactly what the Chicago Cubs have.
Disregard the fact that the Cubs have two of the best pitchers in baseball at the top of their rotation in Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta. Their No. 3 starter, Jason Hammel, has posted a 3.10 ERA and ranks among the top-10 in the National League in WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched), strikeout-to-walk ratio and hits allowed per nine innings.
No. 4 starter Kyle Hendricks has taken a step back from his impressive rookie campaign, but the 25-year old has still produced respectable numbers. Hendricks has posted a 3.97 ERA this season, and ranks in the top-10 in the National League in shutouts, complete games and walks per nine innings.
The bullpen has also played well, with Justin Grimm and closer Hector Rondon both recording sub-2.00 ERAs. In addition, Grimm’s 12.91 strikeouts per nine innings ranks among the best relievers with at least 20 innings pitched.
As a whole, the Cubs pitching staff ranks in the top-5 in the MLB in several major statistical categories. Among these are ERA, shutouts, batting average against, walks and strikeouts.
Run production is without a doubt vital to postseason success and can carry a team deep into the playoffs. But a pitching staff that is talented and deep throughout is sometimes all it takes to make a World Series title run.
The Cubs pitchers are good enough to make this happen, especially with reliable bats in the lineup providing run support.