Top 5 Rotations in Baseball

Saturday, 20 February 2010 11:51 Jordan Siegman, ClassActSports.com, MLB Analyst

1. New York Yankees
CC Sabathia (Getty Images)

The New York Yankees have the deepest rotation entering the 2010 season, having the luxury of making veteran Andy Pettitte their No. 4 starter. Not much needs to be said about Cy Young award winner C.C. Sabathia at the top of the rotation, and it is fair to say that he has lived up to his enormous contract thus far. The addition of Javier Vazquez and the development of Joba Chamberlain are they keys to this year’s success. Last year Chamberlain was held to a pitch count, but look for the Yankees to set him lose in order for him to prove that he belongs as a starter. If Chamberlain can’t get the job done, the Yankees will look to young Phil Hughes to step in as the team’s fifth starter. If Vazquez can duplicate his stellar numbers and Cy Young-worthy performance from last year, it is going to be a long season for all opposing hitters.

2. Boston Red Sox Jon Lester (Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox enter the 2010 season among the teams with the top rotations in the game, but might also have the best front three in the game as well. With the departure of Jason Bay and going on the second year without longtime Red Sox Manny Ramirez, the Sox will rely heavily on Josh Beckett to lead them to the postseason. The Red Sox decided to devote most of their offseason money towards former Angels Ace John Lackey to solidify their rotation. Lackey has a history of missing significant time, but if he can stay healthy he might be the best No. 2 starter in baseball, and will fit nicely in front of young lefty flame-thrower Jon Lester. Dice-K must also have a bounce back year in order to solidify the back end of their rotation with young Clay Buchholz.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks Dan Haren (PR Photos)

The Diamondbacks possess arguably the strongest rotation in the National League. Last season Brandon Webb only made one start before having season ending surgery in August to repair his shoulder. All you have to do is look at Webb’s numbers when he is healthy. He is always among the leagues best starters, and uses his heavy sinker to keep the ball down in the strike zone. Webb threw today off flat ground and seems to be right on schedule to open the season. Dan Haren had a tremendous year in Webb’s absence last year, throwing well over 200 innings and pitching to a 3.14 E.RA. The main reason why the D-Backs find themselves in the top 5 is due to the addition of Edwin Jackson from Detroit. The Diamondbacks have question marks at the end of their rotation as most teams do, but, with Jackson solidifying their top three, this team will prove they’re a force to be reckoned with in the NL West.

4.Philadelphia Phillies

Any team that adds the best pitcher in baseball instantaneously becomes exponentially better. The Phillies traded away Cliff Lee after his historical performance in last year’s postseason to get Roy Halladay, and look to him to lead this already strong rotation. Cole Hamels is looking to have a bounce-back year and return to where he was in 2008, when he pitched 200+ innings with a 3.09 ERA. The key to the Phillies’ success will depend on whether young lefty J.A. Haap can build off his impressive performance from last season, when he pitched to a 12-4 record, holding Philadelphia’s rotation together until the arrival of Cliff Lee at the trading deadline. Jamie Moyer, an always reliable arm (even at the age of 47), will anchor the Phillies’ rotation and serve as a nice change of pace as the ball gets turned back over to Halladay at the top of the rotation.

5. San Fransisco Giants

Many people may not consider San Francisco’s Rotation to be in the top five, but, due to the fact that they are led by two young stars in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, they find themselves on the ClassActsSports Top Five list. You can’t say enough about Lincecum, as he is only 25 and has two Cy Young Awards under his belt. Matt Cain is not far behind, putting up equally as good of numbers as Lincecum did last year. Barry Zito struggled in the first half of last season, but showed signs of his old self at times after the All-Star break. Every time Jonathan Sanchez takes the mound you never know what you’ll get. If he can learn to harness his control, his electric stuff can be very difficult to handle. If you don’t know about Madison Bumgarner yet, then I it might be time to do some reading. Destined to be the Giants’ No. 5 starter, this kid dominated the minors last season with his plus fastball, where he pitched to a 12-2 record and a 1.85 ERA. He made four appearances for the Giants last season.

*** Honorable Mention: Seattle Mariners - With Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee anchoring the staff, the Mariners have two potential aces that can win close to 18 - 20 games each. If no. 3 starter Ian Snell can be more consistent in the middle inning, the Mariners have a legitimate chance to win the AL West.