The stache (would be nice if it matched the color of my hair but that is a story for a different day) has made a temporary return to this writer's face as he transitions towards the warm weather look of clean shavenness.
Enough with all this basketball nonsense. How about some baseball talk? You know how much I like lists and rankings so I figure I would wet the beak with my personal ranking of the starting rotations for the 2011 MLB season. So without further ado.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee
Roy Oswalt
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
The resume:
The reigning National League Cy Young winner. The 2008 American League Cy Young winner. The 2008 World Series MVP. Not to mention Roy Oswalt. A man with a 3.18 career ERA. The lowest among the 5 starters. The top 4 guys all pitched over 200 innings last season and it was not the first time that these guys had done it. The only concern I would have with these guys is their age. The top 3 guys are all over the age of 30 and when you become that age you are always really close to experiencing a significant drop off in production. Halladay is a horse, I expect him to duplicate his numbers from last season but he will turn 34 during the season. You just do not know. On paper this is the best and deepest rotation in the game. This is the strength of this club.
2. Oakland Athletics
Trevor Cahill
Gio Gonzalez
Brett Anderson
Dallas Braden
Rich Harden
The resume:
Had the lowest starters ERA in the majors last year at 3.47. They have youth, which can mean growth and potential. They may not have the flash and glam that other rotations have but the results speak for themselves. Cahill (23) had a 2.97 ERA in 2010, 4th in the AL along with a WHIP(walks + hits/innings) of 1.11 that also placed him 4th in the AL. Gio Gonzalez LHP (25), 3.23 ERA in 2010-200 innings pitched. Brett Anderson LHP (23), 3.57 ERA in 49 career starts. 2.80 ERA in 19 starts last season. Dallas Braden, he of the perfect game last season adds a third lefty to this young rotation that has the potential to lead this team into the postseason.
3. San Francisco Giants
Tim Lincecum
Matt Cain
Jonathan Sanchez
Madison Bumgarner
Barry Zito
The resume:
The reigning World Series champions were 3rd in the majors last season and 3rd in 2009 in starters ERA. Lincecum- 2x Cy Young Award winner, 3.04 career ERA, 3rd in K's last season. Cain-worried a little about his arm injuries this spring, 3.14 ERA in 2010-3.45 for his career in 170 starts, a perfect number 2 pitcher. Sanchez- 3.07 ERA in 2010, 8th in the NL in K's last season. Bumgarner (21)- 3.00 ERA in 111 IP in his rookie season last season. Barry Zito is not terrible as a 5th starter. I like the youth of these guys, 4 guys in their 20's.
4. Atlanta Braves
Tim Hudson
Tommy Hanson
Derek Lowe
Jair Jurrjens
Brandon Beachy/Mike Minor
The resume:
The Braves are back to being led by their pitching. 6th in starter's ERA in 2010, 1st in 2009 with largely the same crew of guys. Hudson-had his best season as a Brave, pitching his most innings(228.2) since 2003 and also his lowest ERA(2.83) since that season. Hanson(24), career ERA of 3.16 in 55 starts, over 200 IP last season with 173 K's, future staff ace as soon as this season. Lowe-reliable veteran, who will give you 190 IP and an ERA around 4.00, pitched real well down the stretch and in the postseason. Jurrjens (25)-key to the staff, had a dreadful season last year, battling injuries all season long, career ERA of 3.52 in 92 starts, had 2.60 ERA in 2009. Good mixture of youth and veterans on this staff.
5. Milwaukee Brewers
Zach Greinke
Yovani Gallardo
Shawn Marcum
Randy Wolf
Chris Narveson
The resume:
It always helps to add a former Cy Young award winner to the top of your rotation in Greinke. Although his rib injury deserves some attention. He's been over 200 IP for the last 3 seasons on one of the worst teams in baseball. Had 242 K's in 229 IP in 2009. He is really good if but a bit odd as a person. Gallardo (25)-3.67 career ERA in 82 career starts, fits in well as a #2. Marcum (29)-had 3.64 ERA in A.L. last season for the Blue Jays, an innings eater who should see him numbers improve against N.L. Central competition. Wolf-durable consistent veteran LHP, career 4.13 ERA, 3.23 ERA in 2009, good fit as a 4 starter. Rotation may not have pedigree that others do, but I like potential. Top 3 guys are in their 20's with two of them coming over from the A.L. where the DH is a factor in some inflated numbers.
Others rotations I like:
Chicago White Sox
Tampa Bay Rays
Los Angeles Dodgers
Detroit Tigers
Florida Marlins
Debate and enjoy.
MB
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