sabathiahardenLast night’s puzzling – that word applies; everyone’s still trying to figure out what the magician Billy Beane sees in those four guys – deal between the Chicago and Oakland sets up an interesting NL Central battle between two long-suffering franchises. As it always does in the postseason, pitching will be the deciding factor. So who possesses the better rotation: the Brewers (last World Series appearance: 1982) or the Cubs (last World Series appearance: 1945)? Intern Bill compares the two.

Cubs Carlos Zambrano (2.96 ERA, 112.3 IP, 38BB, 73K, ERA+ 151) vs. Brewers Ben Sheets (2.77 ERA, 117 IP, 26BB, 97K, ERA+ 155): Sheets has been striking out batters at a higher rate, but their ERA’s are comparable. But let’s be straight, here – would you rather have the pitcher with yearly arm injuries, or the guy who’s up playing a little too much Guitar Hero? And when Sheets’ arm flies into the stands in the near future, will a fan get to keep it?

Cubs Ryan Dempster (3.13 ERA, 118 IP, 47BB, 98K, ERA+ 143) vs. Brewers CC Sabathia (3.79 ERA, 128.3 IP, 29 BB, 128 K, ERA+ 110): The best part about the CC Sabathia trade? Now with the big man in the midst of a playoff race, the fat jokes will never end! Dempster is having a better year, but you’ve got to love the over 4:1 K/BB rate on the big man.

Cubs Rich Harden (2.34 ERA, 77 IP, 31BB, 92K, ERA+ 162) vs. Brewers Manny Parra (3.65 ERA, 93.7 IP, 49 BB, 72 K’s, ERA+ of 118): Here are a couple of guys who have scuffled with injuries and have electric stuff. Parra has given up quite a bit more hits and walks than Harden, so we’ll give the edge to the newest Cub. Also, is an 89 innings jump normal for a 19-year-old? Think that might be the cause of some of the injuries? Just throwing that out there.

Cubs Ted Lilly (4.47 ERA, 112.7 IP, 39BB, 105K, ERA+ 100) vs. Brewers David Bush (4.74 ERA, 98.7 IP, 26BB, 53K, ERA+ 91): Ted Lilly is about as average as average can get, but the strikeouts and left-handedness give him the edge over a below average and perpetual fantasy sleeper David Bush.

Cubs Jason Marquis (4.78 ERA, 92.3 IP, 37BB, 49K, ERA+ 94) vs. Brewers Jeff Suppan (4.71 ERA, 101.3 IP, 44BB, 55K, ERA+ 91): Two former Cardinals, both who previously pitched well in the postseason and immediately given terrible contracts. Who else thought those signings would turn out badly? Ah, everyone? Marquis gets the edge here because he’s better, costs less, and he’s not Jeff Suppan.

The Cubs were the better team before the Sabathia trade, they were the better team after the Sabathia trade. As theorized by Yahoo!’s Inside Edge, Lou Pinella had the better rotation regardless of who the Cubs chose to bring in. With the best offense and pitching in the national league, and barring an always-possible-in-Chicago end-of-the-season collapse, expect the Cubs to play in this year’s fall classic.