However, they were 3rd in ERA in 2018, 7th in 2017, 1st in 2016 and 3rd in 2015. Under Hendry, the Cubs regularly led baseball in strikeouts. This administration obviously does not believe them to be paramount. While it is pretty tempting to say that they don't know pitching, they are obviously effective at putting teams together that are very good at run prevention. ---- eta to be fair, after looking up the k's, they were 2nd in 2015 and 3rd in 2016.