By Salem Chicago News Staff
The Cubs overhauled 60 percent of their starting rotation at the trade deadline. With nine games left in the regular season, those decisions face their ultimate test.
Chicago acquired Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman and David Peterson, plus late-inning reliever Ryan Zeferjahn, in a series of deals that reshaped the pitching staff behind an offense averaging 5.9 runs per game since the deadline — the best in baseball.
Holmes has been the most productive of the group, going 2-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 39 innings over seven starts. The additions are not frontline aces, but they have improved the Cubs’ run prevention alongside an elite lineup.
“There was a significant opportunity cost in surrendering No. 2 prospect Jefferson Rojas for Holmes, but the Cubs needed a different pitching staff, and they built one,” an analysis from MLB.com noted.
The Cubs’ offense has hardly needed help. NL MVP favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong entered the week with 43 home runs and 105 RBIs. Alex Bregman has posted a 1.137 OPS with 14 home runs over his past 35 games.
Crow-Armstrong and Bregman ranked first and third, respectively, in second-half WAR entering Wednesday, according to FanGraphs. In an 8-4 win over the Braves on Wednesday, Crow-Armstrong launched two home runs, passing Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams for the most home runs by a left-handed hitter in franchise history.
“This group is plenty talented,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “It’s just a matter of when it all comes together at once. Some special things can happen, and I think everybody in here knows that.”
Manager Craig Counsell must now determine how to structure the rotation for October. The Cubs hold a half-game lead over the Phillies for the NL’s top Wild Card spot and own the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Chicago has series remaining against the Reds, Marlins and Red Sox. The postseason is set to begin Sept. 29.
