Justin Steele

Stars like Corbin Burnes, Spencer Strider, Clayton Kershaw and others on the cutters, changeups, or splitters they've spent careers chasing.

Steele, who has been out since suffering an injury on Opening Day, pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings against the powerful Padres offense.

If the Cubs are going to really matter this season, it looks like the starters will have to lead the way.

The bad news: Alzolay blew another save Friday. The good news: Steele is on track to start for the Cubs on Monday.

Steele isn't expected to return before May, so the Cubs' pitching depth will be put to the test.

Steele is hurt, leaving the rotation in flux after an Opening Day game that caused fans to start questioning Counsell's lineup choices.

Steele was throwing a gem against the defending World Series champion Rangers. Then he felt hamstring tightness. An IL stint is likely.

Plus, updates on Carl Edwards Jr., Garrett Cooper, Ian Happy, Nick Madrigal and David Peralta.

To survive the 162-game season and advance into October, the Cubs will need another Cy Young Award-caliber season from Steele.

Steele will be the Cubs' first homegrown Opening Day starter since Jeff Samardzija.

Odds and ends from the Cubs Convention, including Justin Steele's contract status, Shota Imanaga's number and more.

"Who knows who the next Justin Steele is? It could be anybody that’s in our system right now,” Cubs GM Carter Hawkins said.

Steele carried the team into playoff contention with his steady demeanor and devastating stuff. Can he keep it going in the stretch run?

The Cubs' homegrown success stories this season are positive signs for their pitching development department.

While watching Steele pitch last season, Lester saw a pitcher who reminded him of himself.

The Cubs are 13-1 in Steele's past 14 starts, a stretch that includes victories over the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles.

The Cubs scored one run in the first inning, and somehow it held up. “That felt like a playoff game,” manager David Ross said.

Justin Steele’s emergence as a legitimate Cy Young Award contender has been a pleasant surprise more than a shocking development.