Post by Steve on Mar 7, 2014 21:46:56 GMT -5
With this article, I factor in production. The American League is a step down compared to the great National League.
Top 5 AL Starting Rotations:
1. Seattle Mariners- Rich Harden/K-ROD/Jonathan Papelbon/Aaron Fultz- 2.80 ERA- Wow, I didn’t realize how good Nanz pitching has been. His staff is extremely young…like an average age of 26 young…insane. Rich Harden has been lights out in the regular season and in the Playoffs…putting up another great year. Works a ton of innings and has a career ERA of 2.89…we move onto one of my favs…I fucking love K-ROD…K-machine with great ratings, still growing into them as we speak. Trade him to me, Nanz! He hasn’t lived up, but he eventually will…his struggles in the Playoffs for Nanz have to be a little bit disappointing. Paps has developed more quickly then I thought. He looks great. Not really fair that he’s a #3 on this squad. Two real life relievers turning into stud starters for Nanz…finally is Aaron Fultz who is having a wonderful year. I’m sure Dan is salty…like what the fuck??? He’s been outstanding for Nanz…He actually has had an under the radar type career. He holds a career ERA of 3.30…that’s pretty dang impressive.
2. Toronto Blue Jays- Roy Halladay/Gerik Baxter/Joe Lampman/Scott Schoeneweis- 3.19 ERA- Roy Halladay is awesome…I’d love to have him, but his cost wouldn’t fit here. Anyway, he had a rocky start because the previous GM didn’t know when to bring him up and such. Anyway, ever since he developed into his ratings, he’s been great…like Cy-Young great. His best year was in 2004 where he posted a 2.11 ERA…his career ERA still isn’t under 3, but it most likely will get there in a few seasons. 2,300+ innings and Ks…he usually challenges Affeldt for Strikeouts. He has an excellent chance at 300+ wins, too. Doc is even better in the Playoffs…you have to take a look at those numbers. Next up is the future Strikeout King…Baxter has great talent, and I’m still waiting for him to put together that true breakout year. His K rate is off the charts, and even makes Affeldt look bad. Lampman recently just took some bad PD, but he’s a great #3 SP, and is having a stellar year for Game. My lord, he has been a joke in the Playoffs…an ERA nearing 9, wow. Finally, it’s Schoeneweis…I think he went to a school named Lenape from around here…anyway, he’s a weak link for Game. I think Game would much rather have Pettyjohn then him…but I digress.
3. Detroit Tigers- Tim Hudson/Jason Schmidt/Bobby Chouinard/Jose Contreras/Barry Zito- 3.30 ERA- Shocker here...I didn’t see this coming. I thought Oakland would definitely be here. Detroit was close to being 2nd here. The numbers were a tad difficult since Dave has made some acquisitions, but I think I’ve projected it close enough. I included Zito’s season…he was doing well for Dave, too. Tim Hudson is another guy that’s under the radar. Look at that contract for god sakes! Unreal. He has been steady year in and year out for Dave. His first four years have brought his numbers down a bit, but ever since then he has been a true Ace. Schmidt was a big addition for Dave. He gives him that #2 look. He’s been solid since coming over. Schmidt actually has a nice track record in the Playoffs, too…could be a factor come that time. The next 2 are Chouinard and Contreras who have been solid for Dave. I think Dave doesn’t have a good enough #3 SP, and I think that’s where I might be missing Barry Zito during the Playoffs.
4. Oakland Athletics- Mark Buerhle/Carl Pavano/Travis Harper/Masato Yoshii- 3.39 ERA- I thought the A’s would’ve been top 3 for sure…shocking, really. Buerhle is truly an Ace. He reeled off a bunch of consecutive wins at one point. He’s been great since coming to Oakland…20+ wins the past 3 seasons now. Works a ton of innings…nearly 30 CGs the past 3 seasons. Great Playoff numbers. Speaking of great Playoff numbers, next up is Carl Pavano. Performs as a solid SP, but come Playoff time is where Broph loves him. From 2000-2002, he put together one of the best three year stretches from a Starting Pitcher in the Playoffs. Sub 1.50 ERA during that stretch. So we now move onto Travis Harper…man, he’s pretty solid…an ERA around 3.15??? I’ll take that. Yoshii looks nice…I think in due time, he’ll make an impact sooner rather then later.
5. Baltimore Orioles- Ryan Anderson/Luke Hudson/Rodrick Chisolm/Ryan Rupe- 3.67 ERA- Some really talented arms here…Ryan Anderson is awesome. The year he’s having proves that. Expect big things for Mr. Anderson in the future. Next up is Luke Hudson, and he’s had 3 really good years including this one. I think Chisolm will eventually jump him in the rotation. He's been okay to start, but I think his breakout year could come next season. A lot to like here, I think. Great numbers across the board in terms of ratings…can’t wait to see how he progresses or maybe he doesn’t. Hasn’t been a strong year for him. Rupe has been a disaster this season. ERA north of five…in the past, he was money for this team. I don’t know if he took a bad PD hit or something, but he seems to be on the decline for Jah. A tad worrisome if you ask me.
Honorable Mention:
1. New York Yankees- Roy Oswalt/Bartolo Colon/TVP/Justin Duchscherer/Brett Tomko- 3.76 ERA- Yanks were pretty close to making this list. Just a bit off. A bunch of oldies but goodies in this rotation. Oswalt isn’t one of them, though…he’s in his prime. He’s had a very successful career in the bigs…a career ERA of 3.50. A lot of wins and innings. Duch is another guy in his prime that has been very serviceable…I think he’s more of a 3 if you ask me. TVP has struggled this year, and you gotta wonder if he’s ever going to put together one more quality year. Tomko and Colon are older vets that you might have thought would put together better careers. Especially in Tomko’s case.
2. Minnesota Twins- Chris George/Brian West/Kelvim Escobar/Clayton Andrews- 3.95 ERA- This is a staff on the rise here. George is one of the best GMs here so I think he can upgrade this, and make it into a really good staff. George and West are both young SPs that have made a nice impact this season. Escobar and Andrews both look the part, but I think he needs to upgrade on Andrews in my opinion. There’s a few talented arms in the farm that could help down the road…Anyway, it’s about time the Twins have made strides. Styro will run the AL Central very soon.
Note: I'll find Logos for Seattle and Baltimore later.
Top 5 AL Starting Rotations:
1. Seattle Mariners- Rich Harden/K-ROD/Jonathan Papelbon/Aaron Fultz- 2.80 ERA- Wow, I didn’t realize how good Nanz pitching has been. His staff is extremely young…like an average age of 26 young…insane. Rich Harden has been lights out in the regular season and in the Playoffs…putting up another great year. Works a ton of innings and has a career ERA of 2.89…we move onto one of my favs…I fucking love K-ROD…K-machine with great ratings, still growing into them as we speak. Trade him to me, Nanz! He hasn’t lived up, but he eventually will…his struggles in the Playoffs for Nanz have to be a little bit disappointing. Paps has developed more quickly then I thought. He looks great. Not really fair that he’s a #3 on this squad. Two real life relievers turning into stud starters for Nanz…finally is Aaron Fultz who is having a wonderful year. I’m sure Dan is salty…like what the fuck??? He’s been outstanding for Nanz…He actually has had an under the radar type career. He holds a career ERA of 3.30…that’s pretty dang impressive.
2. Toronto Blue Jays- Roy Halladay/Gerik Baxter/Joe Lampman/Scott Schoeneweis- 3.19 ERA- Roy Halladay is awesome…I’d love to have him, but his cost wouldn’t fit here. Anyway, he had a rocky start because the previous GM didn’t know when to bring him up and such. Anyway, ever since he developed into his ratings, he’s been great…like Cy-Young great. His best year was in 2004 where he posted a 2.11 ERA…his career ERA still isn’t under 3, but it most likely will get there in a few seasons. 2,300+ innings and Ks…he usually challenges Affeldt for Strikeouts. He has an excellent chance at 300+ wins, too. Doc is even better in the Playoffs…you have to take a look at those numbers. Next up is the future Strikeout King…Baxter has great talent, and I’m still waiting for him to put together that true breakout year. His K rate is off the charts, and even makes Affeldt look bad. Lampman recently just took some bad PD, but he’s a great #3 SP, and is having a stellar year for Game. My lord, he has been a joke in the Playoffs…an ERA nearing 9, wow. Finally, it’s Schoeneweis…I think he went to a school named Lenape from around here…anyway, he’s a weak link for Game. I think Game would much rather have Pettyjohn then him…but I digress.
3. Detroit Tigers- Tim Hudson/Jason Schmidt/Bobby Chouinard/Jose Contreras/Barry Zito- 3.30 ERA- Shocker here...I didn’t see this coming. I thought Oakland would definitely be here. Detroit was close to being 2nd here. The numbers were a tad difficult since Dave has made some acquisitions, but I think I’ve projected it close enough. I included Zito’s season…he was doing well for Dave, too. Tim Hudson is another guy that’s under the radar. Look at that contract for god sakes! Unreal. He has been steady year in and year out for Dave. His first four years have brought his numbers down a bit, but ever since then he has been a true Ace. Schmidt was a big addition for Dave. He gives him that #2 look. He’s been solid since coming over. Schmidt actually has a nice track record in the Playoffs, too…could be a factor come that time. The next 2 are Chouinard and Contreras who have been solid for Dave. I think Dave doesn’t have a good enough #3 SP, and I think that’s where I might be missing Barry Zito during the Playoffs.
4. Oakland Athletics- Mark Buerhle/Carl Pavano/Travis Harper/Masato Yoshii- 3.39 ERA- I thought the A’s would’ve been top 3 for sure…shocking, really. Buerhle is truly an Ace. He reeled off a bunch of consecutive wins at one point. He’s been great since coming to Oakland…20+ wins the past 3 seasons now. Works a ton of innings…nearly 30 CGs the past 3 seasons. Great Playoff numbers. Speaking of great Playoff numbers, next up is Carl Pavano. Performs as a solid SP, but come Playoff time is where Broph loves him. From 2000-2002, he put together one of the best three year stretches from a Starting Pitcher in the Playoffs. Sub 1.50 ERA during that stretch. So we now move onto Travis Harper…man, he’s pretty solid…an ERA around 3.15??? I’ll take that. Yoshii looks nice…I think in due time, he’ll make an impact sooner rather then later.
5. Baltimore Orioles- Ryan Anderson/Luke Hudson/Rodrick Chisolm/Ryan Rupe- 3.67 ERA- Some really talented arms here…Ryan Anderson is awesome. The year he’s having proves that. Expect big things for Mr. Anderson in the future. Next up is Luke Hudson, and he’s had 3 really good years including this one. I think Chisolm will eventually jump him in the rotation. He's been okay to start, but I think his breakout year could come next season. A lot to like here, I think. Great numbers across the board in terms of ratings…can’t wait to see how he progresses or maybe he doesn’t. Hasn’t been a strong year for him. Rupe has been a disaster this season. ERA north of five…in the past, he was money for this team. I don’t know if he took a bad PD hit or something, but he seems to be on the decline for Jah. A tad worrisome if you ask me.
Honorable Mention:
1. New York Yankees- Roy Oswalt/Bartolo Colon/TVP/Justin Duchscherer/Brett Tomko- 3.76 ERA- Yanks were pretty close to making this list. Just a bit off. A bunch of oldies but goodies in this rotation. Oswalt isn’t one of them, though…he’s in his prime. He’s had a very successful career in the bigs…a career ERA of 3.50. A lot of wins and innings. Duch is another guy in his prime that has been very serviceable…I think he’s more of a 3 if you ask me. TVP has struggled this year, and you gotta wonder if he’s ever going to put together one more quality year. Tomko and Colon are older vets that you might have thought would put together better careers. Especially in Tomko’s case.
2. Minnesota Twins- Chris George/Brian West/Kelvim Escobar/Clayton Andrews- 3.95 ERA- This is a staff on the rise here. George is one of the best GMs here so I think he can upgrade this, and make it into a really good staff. George and West are both young SPs that have made a nice impact this season. Escobar and Andrews both look the part, but I think he needs to upgrade on Andrews in my opinion. There’s a few talented arms in the farm that could help down the road…Anyway, it’s about time the Twins have made strides. Styro will run the AL Central very soon.
Note: I'll find Logos for Seattle and Baltimore later.
