Cubs: Our Achilles heel that could cost us a trip to the playoffs

While Chicago Cubs fans are ready for the team to get back to the postseason, the thin rotation and bullpen could prevent the club from getting there. 

We are counting down the days for Opening Day to arrive and as expected, the Chicago Cubs have aspirations of not only making the postseason, but potentially bring home another World Series. Well, let’s hold the phone on those talks.

As good as the club is, that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Heading into the new season, there’s no doubt Chicago has some concerns, with the starting rotation and bullpen certainly at the top of the list.

Bullpen and rotation issues are a concern for the Chicago Cubs heading into the new campaign

It goes without saying, but the Chicago pitching woes are nothing to write home about. The question marks of course include the bullpen, which is something manager David Ross is going to have to figure out as soon as possible.

There are several guys ready to turn things around, though, with players like Brandon Workman, Kohl Stewart, Andrew Chafin and others ready to make an impact for Ross and the Cubs. We’ll have to wait and see if they can step up and help this team be extremely competitive in the NL Central.

As for the starters, there’s some major turnover from last season, of course including Yu Darvish saying goodbye to The Windy City and heading for the sunshine over in San Diego via trade. The loss of Darvish is obviously massive, but Chicago will also be without Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood.

In February, the Cubs signed Jake Arrieta, as he’s made his way back to the club. He’ll have massive pressure to try and return to his best form. Time to see what Arrieta and the rest of the rotation can do. Things can be tricky with so many new faces in town. Time to see what Ross has up his sleeve.