As the 11-7 Chicago Cubs prepare to host the 4-15 Miami Marlins at Wrigley for a four-game series. The Cubs have decisions concerning their pitching staff in the next 14 days. As of today, the projected Cubs starters for the four-game series are as follows:
- Game One: James Taillon
- Game Two: Shota Imanaga
- Game Three: Javier Asaad
- Game Four: Kyle Hendricks
RHP – James Tallion
Taillon will be officially called up from the Iowa Cubs ahead of the game to make the start in game one tonight. Taillon did not pitch in Cactus League play this spring due to his ailing back. He has made one rehab start with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, going 3.2 innings without allowing a run. He gave up three hits, one walk, and four strikeouts during his one rehab stint with the Iowa Cubs. Last year could have been a better year for Taillon in a Cubs uniform. He was 8-10 in 29 starts last year for the Cubs. He worked in 154.1 innings of work, allowing 156 hits and 83 earned runs, walked 41, and struck out 140 last year. Last season, he had a 4.84 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP for the Cubs.
What should the rotation look like past May:
The Cubs should have Ace Justin Steele back by May, and now, with Taillon back in the mix, the question is who the number four and five starters are. Shota Imanaga has been impressive to start the year, which gives the Cubs a tough pair of Lefties in the first three in the rotation. The remaining options are Jordan Wicks, Javier Asaad, Kyle Hendricks, and Ben Brown.
RHP – Kyle Hendricks
Hendricks is the veteran of the group, but in four games this year, he has had a 12.71 ERA and 2.24 WHIP through 17 innings. In his 17 innings, he had allowed 31 hits and 24 earned runs, and opponents are hitting .388 for average against him.
LHP – Jordan Wicks
Wicks has yet to win a game this year and has lost two of his four starts. He has a 5.29 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP in 17 innings. Opponents are hitting .284 against him, while he has allowed 21 hits, ten earned runs, one home run, seven 11 free passes, and 24 strikeouts. He has yet to get into the fifth inning of work this year.
RHP- Javier Asaad
Asaad has made three starts for the Cubs, with two wins and a 3.12 ERA. He has pitched in 16.2 innings, allowing 11 hits, four earned runs, six free passes, and 18 strikeouts. Asaad is a weapon for the Cubs pitching staff and has been excellent so far this year.
RHP – Ben Brown
Brown has appeared in four games this year, with two starts, without a win or loss. He has pitched 16.1 Innings with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He has allowed 12 hits, eight earned runs, six walks, and 15 strikeouts. He has held opponents to a .211 average to start the season.
Wrap up:
If I were the Cubs, I would send Asaad to the bullpen and use him in spots where Julian Merryweather would’ve been used in the past. Asaad can also come back into the rotation as needed, but with the option, this decision is an easy one for me. As much as I want to see Jordan Wicks succeed, I would send him to Triple-A for a couple of starts to see if he can work on pounding the strike zone and get deeper into starts. Kyle Hendricks, I would have started as the number four. If he doesn’t turn it around by mid to late May, I would move him to the bullpen or move on. Ben Brown would stay in the rotation if it were up to me. The Cubs need a power arm in the rotation from the right side; neither Taillon nor Hendricks has the same power stuff as Brown. If Brown falters in May, send him down and bring Wicks back. I am not a massive fan of having three lefties in the rotation without a power arm from the right side. Either way, the Cubs have their Ace returning, and others have stepped up in his absence. They have holes in the bullpen, but the rotation can be very good if they stay healthy the rest of the way. In my opinion, Brown has a very high ceiling, and whether he gets sent down or remains in the rotation, the kid has shown he belongs.
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