The Chicago Cubs are heading into the 2016 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a few days of rest under their belt as they defeated the San Francisco Giants in four games in the NL Division Series on Tuesday night.
That afforded Cubs manager ample opportunity to mull over roster decisions. Maddon announced Friday he’s sticking with the status quo in his rotation — Jon Lester in Game 1, followed in the series by Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey.
Lester and Hendricks both had Cy Young-caliber seasons in 2016. Lester went 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 1.02 WHIP while striking out 197 and walking 52 in 202.2 innings (32 starts). He tossed eight shutout innings in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Giants.
Hendricks led all of baseball in ERA in 2016, as he went 16-8 with a 2.13 ERA, 3.20 FIP and 0.98 WHIP in 190 innings. He lasted just 3.2 innings in his NLDS start, as he was hit on the wrist by comebacker, prompting Maddon to go with his bullpen.
Arrieta is the arguably the best third-starter on a staff as the reigning Cy Young Award winner went 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA, 3.52 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 31 starts. Lackey finished the year 11-8 with a 3.35 ERA.
The starters are four of 12 pitchers the Cubs are carrying for the NLCS, with the club adding another arm for the best-of-seven series, just as the Dodgers are. Complete breakdown of Cubs’ roster (listed alphabetically in each subgroup):
Starting pitchers (4): Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, Jon Lester
Relief pitchers (8): Aroldis Chapman, Carl Edwards Jr., Justin Grimm, Mike Montgomery, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Travis Wood, Rob Zastryzny
Catchers (3): Wilson Contreras, Miguel Montero, David Ross
Infielders (5): Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Ben Zobrist
Outfielders (5): Albert Almora Jr., Chris Coghlan, Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward, Jorge Soler
Chicago’s addition of Rob Zastryzny to the NLCS roster gives Maddon four left-handers to utilize out of the bullpen. That of course is no mistake as the Dodgers were the worst-hitting team against southpaws this season.
In order to carry a 12th pitcher the Cubs removed Tommy La Stella from their postseason roster. His lone appearance in the NLDS was as a pinch-hitter in Game 1.
Along with some of the top starting pitchers in the league the Cubs also have one of, if not the best, reliever in left-hander Aroldis Chapman. The flamethrower had a 1.55 ERA and 36 saves in 2016 between the Cubs and the New York Yankees while striking out 90 and walking 18 in 58 innings.
After being traded to the Cubs, Chapman had a 1.01 ERA in 26.2 innings. Chicago also boasts top MVP candidate in third baseman Kris Bryant. The 2015 NL Rookie of the Year batted .292/.385/.554 with 39 home runs, 102 RBIs and 121 runs scored this season.
He is protected in the lineup by Anthony Rizzo, who hit .292/.385/.544 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs. Other than Chapman and Zastryzny, the Cubs have left-handed relievers in long man Mike Montgomery and Travis Wood.
Left-handed batters hit just .185 against Montgomery in 2016, and he had a 2.52 ERA in 100 innings between the Cubs and Seattle Mariners. Wood had a 2.95 ERA in 77 appearances (61 innings). Left-handed batters hit just .128 against him.
Like the Cubs, the Dodgers are also carrying 13 position players and 12 pitchers for the NLCS.
