What happened: The 2016 Chicago Cubs stand as the last team to feature five qualified starting pitchers who each finished with an ERA+ of 100 or higher. The distinction marks one of the deepest rotations of the modern era, with every regular starter pitching at a league-average or better clip.

Why it matters: Rotation depth like that is rare and difficult to sustain across a full season, which is why the benchmark has gone unmatched in the years since. That staff anchored one of the most dominant Cubs campaigns of the century and underscored how pitching balance, not just front-line aces, can define a contender.

What to watch: Whether any current rotation can match five qualified starters at a 100 ERA+ or better remains a tall order as the 2026 season plays out.