Sizing Up the Chicago Cubs Against the NL Central: Starting Rotation

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

We continue sizing up the Chicago Cubs against the NL Central, focusing on the Starting Rotations. To the naked eye, the Cubs appear to easily have the best rotation. Before we crown the Cubs as having the best rotation, let's examine each rotation in the division.

I'd like to add that we shouldn't put too much stock into which rotation spot each pitcher holds. Sure, it's great to be be the No. 2 pitcher as opposed to the No. 5, but ultimately rotations get shaken up and, in 98 percent of the cases, the matchups very seldom include 5 vs 5, 3 vs 3, etc.

Like I've mentioned in previous articles, I'm basing the rotations off MLB.com's depth charts. These may not be the official rotations come opening day, but for now, I'll go by MLB.com's projected rotations.

First Spot

Cubs- Carlos Zambrano
Astros- Roy Oswalt
Cardinals- Adam Wainwright
Brewers- Yovani Gallardo
Reds- Aaron Harang
Pirates- Paul Maholm

There are several compelling storylines amongst the staff aces. Will Zambrano finally put together a Cy Young season? Will Aaron Harang return to 2007 form? How in the world will Yovani Gallardo fair against departing Brewer ace CC Sabathia?

• Easily a top-10 pitcher in the game, Roy Oswalt has anchored the Astros staff since his rookie campaign in 2001, earning 129 wins in that span. Oswalt has quietly been perhaps the most consistent pitcher of the decade. Despite injuries along the way, Oswalt has shown no signs of slowing down and many predict Oswalt will win the Cy Young this season.
• Looking to prove he's worthy of anchoring the Cardinals' staff, Wainwright hopes health will not be an issue in 2009. His career highlight includes earning the save in the World Series clincher in 2006. If the Cardinals expect to compete this season, Wainwright will have to play a big part.
• Coming off a terrible ACL injury suffered in Wrigley last season, Gallardo looks to live up to all the hype surrounding him in Milwaukee. There's no doubt, Gallardo has ace "stuff," but it remains to be seen if he can translate it onto the pitchers mound. Needless to say, don't expect Sabathia-like numbers.
• What a difference two seasons can make. Nobody knows this to be true more than Harang. He was the toast of the town in 2007, going 16-6 with a 3.73 ERA and striking out 218 batters. The toast quickly burnt in 2008, however, as Harang turned in a stinker: 6-17 record, 4.78 ERA. 2009 will be a critical year in Harang's career.
• Hey, you could be a Major League ace, just pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates! Okay that was crude, perhaps, but it reflects the state of Pirates baseball. Maholm is clearly not an ace, but finds himself the top dog in Steeler country. There's a possibility he could be trade bait at the trading deadline.
• The only true competition for Oswalt in this group, Zambrano has shown flashes of greatness. Astro fans can attest to this, as their club fell victim to a Zambrano no-hitter last season. Cub fans never know what to expect for Big Z. Will he dominate for an entire season? Or will he have valleys and peaks like previous seasons?

My Rank: Oswalt, Zambrano, Wainwright, Gallardo, Harang, Maholm

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