Best Of The Best – Starters

Pitching is the key to any championship team. Look at the Tigers and Yankees. These two teams were both projected to win the World Series and both failed to make the playoffs. Why? The starting pitching was not consistent and the team was affected because of it. The saying is true that a team can never have too many pitchers because you never know what could happen—injuries, poor play, attitude problems. It all begins with the starting pitching. Some teams look good in that category while others are a bit behind. Who’s got the best staff? I’ve ranked the top five staffs from the American and National leagues, beginning with the American League.

1) Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays bring back the top three starters from the ’08 World Series team: Scott Kazmir, James Shields, and Matt Garza. All three were vital to the teams’ postseason success and all three are more mature and experienced. Andy Sonnanstine is a solid #4 option and don’t count out David Price. He is a future star who proved that he can pitch at the major league level. He is projected to be a starter for the next season. That’s a pretty good #5 guy.

2) Los Angeles Angels: The Angels have always had consistent pitching over the past couple of seasons. A lot of that can be contributed to the back of the bullpen and the job they did to close out games. But it was the starters that put them in position to close the door. Ace Jon Lackey is back as well as 2008 all-stars Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana. Both players had breakout seasons that helped vault the Angels to the top of the majors with 100 wins. Jered Weaver has a little trouble with his command from time to time but is a guy who will pitch in 30 games and keep you in the ballgame. A lot rests on Kelvim Escobar. Escobar sat out the entire 2008 season with an injury and who knows if he can bounce back. If he can regain his form, he is one of the better pitchers in the league with his dirty splitter.

3) New York Yankees: Did anyone really expect them to be left off this list? They got the top pitching prize in free agency with CC Sabathia. They then signed former Blue Jay A.J. Burnett who has electric stuff. Chien-Ming Wang needs to remain healthy but can get guys out and doesn’t walk too many hitters. The Joba rule is probably still in effect, which means his pitch count will be limited again next season. Joba can shut down any opponent when he is healthy. The #5 spot will be up for grabs with either Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy looking to grab it. Both players looked lost last season so who knows who will grab the spot. Either way, the Yankees made offseason news with signing two big-name pitchers, so the pressure is on to perform in New York.

4) Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox might have the most depth of any other team in any league. They have fallback options in case of injuries or inconsistency. With seven players who could probably crack any rotation in baseball, the Red Sox are in good shape for the upcoming season. Players who are set in stone in the rotation: Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Jon Lester. That’s a pretty good top three right there. The other four battling for spots are veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, the young Clay Buchholz, and two key free agents, John Smoltz and Brad Penny. With the depth this team has, it is hard to think that this staff won’t be near the top of the American League next season.

5) Cleveland Indians: Good news for Indians fans. The AL Central is always up for grabs from year to year. Better news—the AL Cy Young award winner, Cliff Lee, is back for next season. Pair him with a more consistent Fausto Carmona (2007 numbers: 19-8, 3.06) and the Indians 1-2 punch looks to be as good as any in the league. Health is the next big concern. Jake Westbrook and free agent Carl Pavano have had a history of health problems. Both can pitch well if they remain healthy. That’s the best part to the start of a new season—most players are healthy to start with.

Other teams to watch out for:
Toronto Blue Jays: This team led the Major Leagues in team ERA last season with 3.49 (next best was 3.68). With every starter except A.J. Burnett back, this team is destined for good things. Problem is, they play in the AL East. Projected starting five: Roy Halladay, Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch, and then up for grabs.

Chicago White Sox: The young guys came through last season in clutch situations. The White Sox rode a 3-game winning streak to make the playoffs behind solid pitching. John Danks and Gavin Floyd produced and a lot is expected of them this next season. Durable and dependable lefty Mark Buehrle is back also. Jose Contreras can be affective at times, but you never know if that guy will blow up.

So the best of the best in the American League is set. Can the National League match up against the top AL staffs? Read on and you can decide for yourself.

1) Chicago Cubs: One of the main reasons this team won 97 games last year was the starting pitching. Carlos Zambrano threw a no hitter, Ted Lilly almost threw another, and Ryan Dempster was unhittable at times. Don’t forget about Rich Harden who had an ERA that hovered just above 2 last season with the Cubs. If he can remain healthy for another entire season and a number 5 starter can produce, the Cubs will have no problems with repeating as champions of the NL Central.

2) Arizona Diamondbacks: This staff is going to need to pitch great this season because the offense was third worst in the National League with a .251 batting average. Keep your heads up Diamondbacks fans. Brandon Webb is Cy Young material, Dan Haren is coming off a 16-win season, and Doug Davis is a reliable pitcher who gives you 200 innings every year. A lot rides on the young guys this year. Max Scherzer can throw heat and needs to show that he can handle an entire Major League season.

3) Philadelphia Phillies: The World Series champions are back—with the same staff that got them the title. Ace Cole Hamels just signed a 3-year, $20.5 million dollar contract to keep him in a Phillies uniform. 46-year old Jamie Moyer is also back for another go-round. Joe Blanton, Brett Myers, and Kyle Kendrick return to solidify the middle to back of the rotation.

4) San Francisco Giants: The team might not get wins, but that will be because the offense if one of the worst in the league. This staff is full of talent, with a soon to be Hall of Famer, and the reigning NL Cy Young champion. Tim Lincecum is one of the dirtiest pitchers in the league and he led the league with 265 strikeouts. The future Hall of Famer was free agent Randy Johnson. He pitched in 30 games last season and won 11 games. Not bad for a 45-year old. Matt Cain can throw heat and his 2008 numbers are skewed due to lack of run support. A 3.76 ERA is not bad (he finished 8-14). Noah Lowry can log innings and has a terrific changeup. He didn’t play the entire 2008 season due to injury though. The wild card is Barry Zito. Zito has a monster contract, a Cy Young under his belt, (2002) and could have the repertoire if he can put some velocity back on his fastball. He hasn’t pitched well since coming to the Giants, but this is his third year with the team and the third time is a charm, right?

5) Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers made the playoffs last season under good pitching and good defense. Some key players left, but some key ones remain. Chad Billingsley returns after a 16-win season last year. Hiroki Kuroda is also back—and he proved that he is another affective Japanese pitcher. Clayton Kershaw is a young gun who showed that even at the age of 20, he can pitch at the Major League level. The back of the rotation is a question mark but could be okay. Jason Schmidt missed all of 2008 with an injury but still has some left in the tank. Number five is another story. It could go to recent free agent signee Claudio Vargas. At least the first four pitchers are proven.

Other teams to watch out for:
Cincinnati Reds: This team has the talent to finally end the 13-year drought of not making the playoffs. You’ve got to think that Aaron Harang’s 2008 struggles were a fluke. He has been a solid NL pitcher over the last four years and will hopefully regain his form in 2009. Bronson Arroyo also needs to bounce back from a mediocre 2008 season (15-11, 4.77). The x-factor is the two young pitchers, Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez. Volquez needs to build off his all-star 2008 season, and Cueto came out with a bang but burned out towards the end of the season. Both players have nasty stuff and just need to stay consistent and pitch an entire season.

New York Mets: The Mets have one of the best pitchers in all of baseball in Johan Santana. They also have young talent in John Maine and Mike Pelfrey. A lot will hinge on free agency. If this team lands either Oliver Perez or Ben Sheets, this team could be very dangerous next year. Tim Redding was signed and has a good shot to be the #5 starter for next season.

The top starting staffs are set. Coming next will be the top bullpens in each league.