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Grading the Chicago Cubs’ Starting Pitchers Through May

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Jon Lester

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For the first time in a while, the Cubs expected their starting rotation to be a strength this season. To start the year, the unit was a little rocky, but it’s gotten stronger as the season has gone on. Through the first six weeks of the season, here are the grades that each starter in the rotation has earned.

5. RHP Kyle Hendricks - C

RHP Kyle Hendricks - C Getty Images
After he went 7-2 and looked great last season, the Cubs had high hopes for Hendricks this season, but he hasn't quite lived up to expectations so far. He owns a 4.65 ERA and has been extremely inconsistent. Still, he has shown flashes of what made him great last season, so that has to give Cubs fans hope.

After he went 7-2 and looked great last season, the Cubs had high hopes for Hendricks this season, but he hasn't quite lived up to expectations so far. He owns a 4.65 ERA and has been extremely inconsistent. Still, he has shown flashes of what made him great last season, so that has to give Cubs fans hope.

4. LHP Travis Wood - C-

LHP Travis Wood - C- Getty Images
Even though he started the season strong, Travis Wood has not been very good this season. With an ERA hovering around 5.00, it's clear he has struggled a lot early on. If Tsuyoshi Wada keeps pitching as well as he has in his rehab starts, he may supplant Wood in the rotation before long.

Even though he started the season strong, Travis Wood has not been very good this season. With an ERA hovering around 5.00, it's clear he has struggled a lot early on. If Tsuyoshi Wada keeps pitching as well as he has in his rehab starts, he may supplant Wood in the rotation before long.

3. RHP Jason Hammel - B+

RHP Jason Hammel - B+ Getty Images
Hammel wanted to come back to Chicago where he pitched some of the best baseball of his career last season and it turned out to be a wise choice. He's at it again, as he's coming off a masterful eight-inning, one-run performance, which lowered his ERA to 3.11. He owns a 3-1 record and actually has the second highest WAR on the team.

Hammel wanted to come back to Chicago where he pitched some of the best baseball of his career last season and it turned out to be a wise choice. He's at it again, as he's coming off a masterful eight-inning, one-run performance, which lowered his ERA to 3.11. He owns a 3-1 record and actually has the second highest WAR on the team.

2. RHP Jake Arrieta - B+

RHP Jake Arrieta - B+ Getty Images
Picking up where he left off last season, Arrieta continues to be one of the top pitchers in the National League. He is 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA and seems to only get stronger as he gets deeper into games. Even though the team added Jon Lester this offseason, Arrieta may just be their best overall pitcher.

Picking up where he left off last season, Arrieta continues to be one of the top pitchers in the National League. He is 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA and seems to only get stronger as he gets deeper into games. Even though the team added Jon Lester this offseason, Arrieta may just be their best overall pitcher.

1. LHP Jon Lester - B-

LHP Jon Lester - B- Getty Images
The Cubs ace got off to a disastrous start that had everyone in Chicago panicking, but he has settled down lately and pitched really well. Because of his slow start, his ERA is still at 4.10, but he clearly seems to be getting stronger with each start. If he starts pitching like he did for the Red Sox last season, the rest of the National League better look out.

The Cubs ace got off to a disastrous start that had everyone in Chicago panicking, but he has settled down lately and pitched really well. Because of his slow start, his ERA is still at 4.10, but he clearly seems to be getting stronger with each start. If he starts pitching like he did for the Red Sox last season, the rest of the National League better look out.

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