The Good and The Bad: Chicago Cubs Starting Rotation Progress Report

With just about one-third of the season behind us, I thought this would be a good time to issue the Cubs starting rotation their first progress report.

Starting Pitching

Carlos Zambrano: B-

Carlos Zambrano is 4-2 with a 3.72 ERA.   His stuff has been real good, but he's missed a total of four starts due to an injury and a suspension.  The other issue with Big Z is his lack of command.  

Zambrano needs to understand how good his stuff is and stop over throwing.  Once he does that, he will become an elite pitcher in this league.  Until then, he will be a good pitcher on a very good starting staff.  

Zambrano is at his best when he's throwing 92-94 MPH.  At times, he over throws and is clocked at 97-98 MPH.  When that happens, his pitches go flat, both outside the strike zone and in. 

Ryan Dempster: B

Dempster is 4-3 with a 4.48 ERA.  The ERA is a little high, but Dempster continues to eat up innings. He's thrown at least 6+ innings in 10 of his 11 starts. 

Dempster has given up eight HR in in 68 innings.  That's a concern for a guy who walks a lot of guys.  In 2008, Dempster gave up a total 14 HR in 206+ innings.

Ted Lilly: B+

Lilly has been the most consistent starter for the Cubs.  Lily is 6-4 with a 3.28 ERA.  Lilly has given up just 59 hits in 71+ innings.

Rich Harden: C+

Harden is due to come off the DL next week. Harden is 4-2 with a 4.74 ERA. 

He's had two poor outings where he didn't make it out of the fourth inning.  Other then that, he's worked 6+ innings in his other six starts. 

Randy Wells: A

Location, Location, Location.  That's about all I have to say about Wells.  He doesn't have great stuff, but he pitchers to the catchers glove.  Wells does a great job of keeping the ball down.  You don't have to throw 95 MPH to make it in this league. 

Wells is 0-2 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts.  He's walked just seven in 32 innings, while giving up just one home run. 

Sean Marshall: C

Marshall will likely return to the 'pen next week when Harden comes off the DL.  Marshall is 3-4 with a 4.73 ERA. Again, the ERA is high, but if you take away his last start, his ERA in under four. 

Overall Starting Rotation Grade: B

As a whole, the Cubs rotation has gotten the job done.  They lead the league with quality starts, but they've been the victim of a bad bullpen with a lack luster offense. 

Next Up

Coming soon, I will take a close look at an underachieving Cubs bullpen.