Despite the attrition dealt to the NL staff over the last week-plus -- notably to Noah Syndergaard and Clayton Kershaw -- Cueto has made a valid case for his start.
He leads the NL in wins, innings (131 1/3) and fewest home runs per nine innings (0.41); is tied for second in quality starts (14); is fourth in pitching WAR (3.5) and fielding-independent pitching (2.71) and tied for seventh in opponent OPS (.584).
And Cueto's 2.47 ERA ranks behind only Kershaw (1.79) and teammate Madison Bumgarner (1.94) for the best in the Majors.