Levine: Question Marks Continue For Cubs Rotation

By Bruce Levine--

(CBS) The Cubs' march to the playoffs has hidden the fact that rotation question marks exist beyond top starters Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. No. 3 starter Jason Hammel has been erratic since straining a hamstring in mid-July, and manager Joe Maddon admitted after the 9-5 victory over Milwaukee on Monday night that his third playoff pitcher choice is fluid right now, should Chicago advance to the NLDS.

"It's very fluid," Maddon said after Hammel four runs in five innings Monday night. "For me, there is a lot of discussion in that part of the rotation. I am not going to sit here and tell you it is not (a discussion) -- it's true. We will see how we play it out."

The choices that Maddon will have in any extended series will be between Hammel, right-hander Kyle Hendricks and right-hander Dan Haren. None of the three has been consistent lately.

"We have some ideas (about Hammel), and I think (pitching coach Chris Bosio) has ideas as well about sharpening him up," Maddon said. " His velocity is good, the breaking ball is good. It's all about location from what I am seeing. It is not about stuff but how the ball is coming out of his hand."

Despite a 6.41 ERA in September, Hammel's still the likely choice for to be the No. 3 postseason starter. The faith Maddon has shown in the veteran pitcher has been tested from the first portion of the season until now.

"It's all about the team right now," Maddon said in response to building up the confidence of Hammel. "I would want to believe that these young professionals understand that. It is not about them, I hope knowing we are at stage five now and all we want to do is win. That is what you are looking for, that is what it takes. Any type of selfish thought is not going to work right now. It just cannot be about you. It has to be about everybody else. To whine about that now would be inappropriate."

Hammel has always been a great teammate wherever he has pitched. Coming out games early has been difficult for Hammel, who expects to go deep into the ballgames he starts.

"Obviously I am confident in myself," Hammel said. "I would like to see some better results right now. I know what I can do, but it's disappointing because it doesn't look that great right now. Sometimes you have to compete with what you got, and that is it. Trying to fix it in the middle of a pennant race is not the easiest thing to do. I am working hard trying to figure it out, and small things are starting to fall in place."

If the Cubs get by the wild-card game on Oct. 7, they will most likely play the Cardinals in the NLDS. The No. 3 starter would likely get the call in Game 2, because it's set for Oct. 10 and Arrieta would only have two days rest at that point.

"If I am the third guy, it is what it is," Hammel said. "It is past the ego thing. You check your ego at the door once October hits. You have to put your best guy out there. I want to be that guy."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.