REVEALED: One Aspect that Can Keep Chicago Cubs in Playoff Hunt

Your perspective determines what you believe about the Chicago Cubs’ chances of making the playoffs. One can find little hope by looking at the National League Central standings. Chicago trails the Milwaukee Brewers by almost ten games. It appears impossible to chase down the lead. The Cubs, however, have hope because of the NL Wild Card race. Chicago was three games out of the final slot going into the week, but their 9-8 setback to Cleveland on Monday slightly harmed their prospects.

With 42 games remaining, the Cubs are now two games below.500 following Monday’s setback. What, therefore, is driving the Cubs’ recent winning streak of nine out of twelve games? One can give some credit to the starting rotation, according to an MLB insider.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic said on his Fair Territory podcast that four starting rotations are “pointing up” in terms of helping their clubs’ chances of qualifying for the postseason in October. The other teams are the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, and Atlanta Braves. Shota Imanaga, according to Rosenthal, is one of the reasons the Cubs are still in this. Beginning Monday’s game against Cleveland, the soon-to-be fan favorite and potential National League Rookie of the Year worked five innings without giving up a hit. The 30-year-old left-hander has performed admirably right away, finishing 9-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 22 starts. He has struck out 131 batters and given up 19 walks in 128.1 innings.

Imanaga is one of four Cubs starts who, if the team can make it to the postseason, would make up a strong rotation, as Rosenthal noted. Rosenthal asserted, “The Chicago Cubs, for all of their postseason shenanigans, disappointing performances, and buy/sell decisions at the deadline, still have a potentially strong rotation.” Justin Steele, a fellow left-hander, started on Opening Day but missed a month due to a hamstring strain. After making a comeback, he has a 3.16 ERA and a 3-5 record, although he has won three of his last seven outings. In 19 starts, he has 112 strikeouts and 32 walks.

Although Jameson Taillon remains with the Cubs and has persevered through injuries this season, there were others who predicted he would be dealt before the deadline. After 20 starts, the 32-year-old right-hander has an 8-6 record and a 3.50 ERA. In 115.2 innings, he has struck out 90 and walked 22, and he has been a reliable presence in the middle of the rotation. With a 5-3 record and a 3.24 ERA through 21 appearances, Javier Assad has provided the Cubs with a reliable fourth starter. He starts this week. In 102.2 innings, he has struck out 90 and walked 47 batters. His next victory would be a season-high for him. Rosenthal believes that this rotation gives the Cubs a chance to make it to the Wild Card playoffs if they can overcome the field.