The latest installment how I’m feeling about the cubs rotation:
Green = Moving Up
Red = Moving Down
Blue = Moving out
Orange = Moving In
Black = No Change
Ace – would start this pitcher in Game 7 of the World Series
No one at the moment
Near Ace – would feel comfortable starting this pitcher in a playoff series
Shota Imanaga – His 4-seamer up in the zone typically plays well, but he had the fortune of pitching with the wind blowing in a lot in Wrigley last year. he home runs are a bit of a concern, so hopefully he can adjust to that.
Embrace – would feel comfortable starting this pitcher in a big, regular season game
Matthew Boyd -He continues to pitch well, but I still would like to see more success before moving him up. But he’s had to face the Dodgers twice, Padres twice and the DBacks, and he’s never surrendered more than 3 earned runs.
Jameson Taillon – JMo has been solid, going at least 5 innings in every start, and is coming off a 7 inning, 1 run allowed outing against the Phillies. Can his kick change be a difference maker to move him from a mid-rotation to a top of the rotation starter? Probably not, but we will see.
Colin Rea – I was a skeptic of the Rea signing, as he along with Boyd were not the top-line starter I was hoping the Cubs would add. But, the result have been solid for both. For Rea, the concern is how much he can stretch things out to provide more innings, and save the bullpen. He’s gone 3.2 innings then 4.2 innings and then 5 full in his last start, which has required heavy bullpen usage each time. The good news is that he’s only given up 2 earnd runs in those starts. Will he be able to maintain the increased velocity on his fastball if he goes 6 or 7 innings?
Near Replace – would only feel comfortable starting this pitcher in against a lesser opponent
Ben Brown – Brown had one great start, one decent start (where he gave up lots of baserunners, but escaped) and one bad outing. He needs to get deeper into games and be more consistent if he’s going to be more trustworthy. One thing working in his favor for staying in the rotation is the Assad re-injury. But Rea’s emergence does leave him at #5 on the starter depth chart.
Replace – would only feel comfortable starting this pitcher in spring training
Keeping an eye on Brown
Injured or Minors:
Justin Steele – his injury changes the complexion of the rotation and the season. One of my big concerns coming in was whether the Cubs had the top of the rotation starters to compete with the best teams. The results so far have been good, but when that best of 3 or best of 5 playoff series comes around, who are the guys the Cubs are going to run with against another team’s aces. I expect a trade around the deadline to shore this up, but think the Cubs will stand pat for now.
Javier Assad – injured again
Jordan Wicks – brief relief stint that did not go very well
Cade Horton – doing well om Iowa…maybe we see him in May or June
Cubs in 7 
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