Once the
Chicago Cubs captured their second straight division title and third consecutive postseason berth all the questions turned to what the starting rotation would be for the NLDS. We know the opponent, the Washington Nationals are waiting, but we don't know how Joe Maddon will line up his playoff rotation. That question gets a little more tricky, as Jake Arrieta will not make his scheduled start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Eyebrows were raised following Arrieta's start on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, as he only went three innings and after the defeat he admitted he wasn't feeling 100 percent because of the hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier in September. Now, Arrieta and the Cubs have decided that instead of making Sunday's start, he'll pitch in a simulated game.
Arrieta was on
670 The Score Thursday and he also said then that more rest was preferable to prepare for the postseason.
“It’s actually going to be nice to take some time. I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to approach Sunday yet, if I’m maybe going to make that start. But I think the biggest thing is just to get the rest I need for the playoff start.”
(Jake Arrieta)
The 2015 Cy Young Award winner left his Sept. 4, start against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a hamstring injury and returned to the Cubs with a good outing against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sept. 21. However, after his latest appearance, Arrieta expressed how he was changing his mechanics because of the leg injury.
So, the rest has been granted.
Now the speculation will ramp up a week leading up to the NLDS in terms of the starting rotation. Jon Lester is the veteran who was brought to Chicago to pitch in big games and Maddon seemingly has confidence in him to go in Game 1. So, does Kyle Hendricks start Game 2, followed by Jose Quintana and then Arrieta? Where does John Lackey fit into the equation if Arrieta isn't ready?
We'll find out in one week, as the series begins on Oct. 6, in Washington.
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