5 Quality starts thus far. a .299BAA. Cubs #1 at .199BAA. Yes they have Arrieta. But also 32yr old Lester, 33yr old Hammel, and 37yr old Lackey. Jason Hammel for any other team 4.25ERA or higher. Cubs Cubs 3.23. It is pretty clear to me they are winning at teaching their pitchers to be better. Garza was better for Cubs, Samardzija was better for Cubs. We haven't turned any starter around to any level resembling what the Cubs are doing to 2-3Starters a year now for last 6? seasons? Same can probably be said for St Louis improving their pitching staff. Fire the Pitching Coaches and find new blood. Keep doing it until you find someone that makes a difference. That said, it happened over last offseason. Maybe the tutelage is a work in progress and changes are part of the reason for the early season production.