Five Questions About Cubs' 2010 Rotation

For the third consecutive year, the Chicago Cubs have gotten sparkling performances out of their starting rotation. Even with injuries to each of the top four slated starters, and inconsistent play from Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden, the team's starters have been their strength: Chicago leads the league in quality start percentage, at 61 percent, and Chicago's relievers have entered with a lead the fourth-most times of any team in the league. Those statistics look all the more impressive when placed into context. The starting corps has had the luxury of five or more days' rest only 55 times, 15th in the National League. And no group on the senior circuit has fewer starts with 80 or fewer pitches. For all the encouraging signs, however, there remains a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the Cubs' starting staff going forward into 2010. Here are five questions, the answers to which may determine the course of the team's 2010 season. 1....