Ranking MLB Starting Rotations, 30-1

Mike  Kent by Senior Writer Written on May 21, 2009

Slide 1 of 32

NEW YORK - MAY 11:  Johan Santana #57 of the New York Mets pitches against the Atlanta Braves on May 11, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 8-3.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

When I ranked every team's heart of the order a week ago, Bo Reed gave me the idea to do the same with starting rotations. So I did, and I hope you enjoy it.

I just want to say that all of the rankings are only starting pitching, not bullpens or backup starters. The first slide is the worst rotation and the last one is the best.

#30, A's: Braden-Anderson-Cahil-Outman-Gonzalez

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 05:  Dallas Braden #51 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim  on May 5, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

None of these guys are any good; Justin Duchscherer was the Athletics' only hope for a good starter and he is on the 60-day DL.

While there is some promise in their youth, I am ranking them last because there is no one on this team that I would hear of if I did not watch the Rangers now and then.

#29, Orioles: Guthrie-Uehara-Hendrickson-Eaton-Bergesen

BALTIMORE - APRIL 06:  Jeremy Guthrie #46 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the New York Yankees during opening day on April 6, 2009 at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.  (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

There is not much too say about these guys; they are just no good. All of these guys have more losses than wins.

I feel bad for O's fans, but there is just not much to say about these guys. They are not that good.

Guthrie has potential to be a good pitcher, but he has been underachieving this season.

#28, Rockies: Cook-Jimenez-Marquis-Hammel-De La Rosa

DENVER - MAY 10:  Starting pitcher Aaron Cook #28 of the Colorado Rockies delivers against  the Florida Marlins during MLB action at Coors Field on May 10, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Cook earned the win as the Rockies defeated the Marlins 3-2.  (Photo by D

I feel very sorry for these guys, pitching in Coors Field is not fun. And these guys need to do it a lot.

Other then Marquis all of these guys have more loses then wins. And all of these guys have a era over .420.

I hate to put these guys low on the list because there park, but they need to find a way to win even at Coors Field

#27, : Lannan-Martis-Zimmermann-Olsen-Cabrera

ATLANTA - APRIL 11: Pitcher John Lannan #31 of the Washington Nationals throws against the Atlanta Braves on April 11, 2009 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Nats have no luck.

They lost Matt Chico and Olsen to and injury, and the others are just not doing a good job.

They have two pitchers with a over .500 win-lose record and they are Zimmermann and Martis.

Martis is 5-0 this season, but his ERA is almost .500

#26, Phillies: Hamels-Myers-Moyer-Blanton-Park

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 17: Starting pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws the ball during the game against the San Diego Padres on April 17, 2009 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Image

Other then Cole Hamels these guys are not so good. And Cole is not having a great season, his ERA is almost .500 and he has a 2-2 record.

If these Phillies did not have one of the best offense's in baseball, they would not be looking good by now.

The pitcher with the best ERA in this rotation is Myers, and his ERA is 4.50.

Moyer and Park have ERA's over 7.00

#25, Rangers: Millwood-Padilla-McCarthy-Harrison-Feldman

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 6:  Pitcher Kevin Millwood #33 of the Texas Rangers throws against the Cleveland Indians during the home opener at Rangers Ballpark April 6, 2009 in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

As we know, the Rangers are not known for there great pitching. But that is ok, with players like Hamilton, Cruz and Blalock you dont need the best starters out there.

All these pitchers in the Rangers rotation have more wins then loses, but as we sad before that is more thanks to the hitters.

Millwood is really looking good. a ERA under 2.95 and lots of inning.

The others are not great, but not bad.

#24, Pirates: Maholm-Snell-Duke-Ohlendorf-Karstens

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 9: Ian Snell #45 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers the pitch during the game against the St. Louis Cardnals in the Home Opener for the Pirates on April 9, 2007 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Ima

Maholm, Duke and Ohlendorf are having good seasons. If they can each pitch every three days then the Pirates may be in good shape at the end of the season.

But they cant, and that is why Snell and Karstens need to pitch in.

Snell is now 1-5, before the season he was going to be there ace, now he is there goat.

#23, Padres: Peavy-Young-Correia-Geer-Gaudin-Richard

SAN DIEGO - APRIL 06:  Pitcher Jake Peavy #44 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 6, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.  The Dodgers won 4-1.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Peavy is one of the best pitchers in the game, but he is having a bad seson.

The Padres are going to fall to third before last on this list if they trade Jake, becuas he is the only guy in SD that can pitch well

#22, Marlins: Nolasco-Johnson-Volstad-Miller-Sanchez

NEW YORK - APRIL 29:  Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins throws a pitch against the New York Mets on April 29, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Marlins defeated the Mets 4-3.  (Photo by Jim M

With Sanchez on the 15 day DL right now because a right shoulder strain, these guys are going with four starters for now. Sanchez was 1-4 before going on the DL.

Nolasco, Volstad and Miller are not looking too good, they all are .500 or under in the win-lose record.

Johnson has been good, he is 3-1 this season. In his best start he beat the Mets Johan Santana giving up 1 run and throwing a complete game against the Mets.

This guy may be in the run for Cy Young, but the fish will need more if they want to go far this season

#21, Indians: Lee-Carmona-Pavano-Reyes-Huff

NEW YORK - APRIL 16:  Cliff Lee #31 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the New York Yankees during opening day at the new Yankee Stadium on April 16, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. This is the first regular season MLB game being played

Cliff lee is 2-5 this season, but dont let that foul you. He has a .290 ERA and 45K's. His team has just blown many of his games this season.

The rest of these guyds have also had bad luck, they are not pitching to well. Carmona is the biggest disappointment in this stag of the season. But they hope he can start pitching well in his next few starts

It is a shame for Cleavland that Jake Westbrook is on the DL, he can be a good starter.

#20, Mariners: Hernandez-Bedard-Washburn-Jakubauskas-Silva

SEATTLE - AUGUST 29:  Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Safeco Field August 29, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. The Angels defeated the Mariners 8-2.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Ge

King-Felix started the season very well, but he now has lost his last three decisions. But dont worry, he is young and just getting better.

Erik Bedard is looking good, it shocked me when I saw his stats. Was he that good with the O's? But it is very early and a lot my change

Its a shame that there #5 starter is on the DL, but I dont think it would help them much on my list anyway.

#19, Twins: Liriano-Slowey-Blackburn-Baker-Swarzak

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 6: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Seattle Mariners at the Metrodome on opening day, April 6, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images)

The Twins pitching is not looking too good.

Liriano is a guy that was once one of the best LHP in the game. but since his surgery he has not been as good.

There is one Twin pitcher that is looking good, Kevin Slowey. He is 5-1 this season for the Twins.

#18, Astros: Oswalt-Rodriguez-Moehler-Hampton-Ortiz

CHICAGO - MAY 16: Starting pitcher Roy Oswalt #44 of the Houston Astros delivers the ball against the Chicago Cubs on May 16, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Astros 5-4. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Oswalt has been a bit of a let down this season. Other then Rodriguez all of The Astros pitching has been a let down.

And Brandon Backe being on the DL for the start of the season is not helping them.

Rodriguez has been amazing, he has five wins and a ERA under 1.90

But the next best ERA is Roy who has a over 4.50

#17, Brewers: Suppan-Gallardo-Parra-Looper-Bush

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 1:  Yovani Gallardo #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during Game 1 of the NLDS Playoffs against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark on October 1, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Brew

Gallardo, Looper and Bush have been doing well this season. Gallardo has been the best out of these guys, he has pitched like a ace.

They may need him to be this teams ace if Jeff Suppan keeps pitching like he is this season.

Manny Parra has the tools, but he does not have it working this season.

#16, Braves: Lowe-Jurrjens-Vazquez-Kawakami-Reyes

NEW YORK - MAY 11:  Derek Lowe #32 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch against the New York Mets on May 11, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 8-3.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/G

The Braves did themselves lots of good getting Derek Lowe, he is a great ace to there rotation.

It is a shame that that Tom Glavine cant be the 300 game winner he was with the Braves 10 years ago.

Jurrjens is a great pitcher, but other then him and Lowe. Kawakami and Reyes are just not any good.

#15, D-Backs: Haren-Davis-Garland-Scherzer-Webb

PHOENIX - APRIL 22:  Starting pitcher Dan Haren #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the game at Chase Field on April 22, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 2-0.  (Photo by Christian Pete

If Webb is healthy, these guys are in the top five. But he is not, so the D-Backs are stuck here.

Haren and Garland are the only two that look good in this rotation this year, it is a shame.

Davis and Scherzer need to do better, if they keep this up the Dodgers will be fine with losing Manny for 50 games

#14, Royals: Meche-Greinke-Davies-Bannister-Hocheva

KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 28:  Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins on May 28, 2008 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

Greinke has been the story of the season, coming out of nowhere to win his first six games and now he has seven.

I did not here of him before this season , but now I have been flowing him since his third win. He is Amazing.

But Bannister is the only other Royal starter that is looking good, Meche needs to get his greatness back.

#13, Rays: Shields-Kazmir-Garza-Sonnanstine-Niemann-

BOSTON - APRIL 8: Scott Kazmir #19 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, April 8, 2009, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Other then Garza, none of these guys are looking too good. But we all know that Shields and Kazmir will be back and ready to go very soon.

The Rays are on a bit of a slump, but they will be back in the race for the AL East very soon.

If Shields and Kazmir would play like Shields and Kazmir these guys would be top five, but they are not.

#12, Cardinals: Wainwright-Lohse-Wellemeyer-Carpenter-Pineiro

JUPITER, FL - MARCH 02:  Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 2, 2009 in Jupiter, Florida. The Rays defeated the Cardinals 8-5.  (Ph

Wainwright, Carpenter and Pineiro have looked good this season.

Carpenter has only pitched three times this season. but he has yet to give up any runs.

With the Cardinals success this season, these guys are looking good. They are a big part of these guys being in first place in the NL Central

But Wellemeyer and Pineiro have not really helped there team as much as they should have. They are off to a bad start

#11, White Sox: Buehrle-Floyd-Danks-Colon-Richardson

CHICAGO - APRIL 07: Mark Buehrle #56 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the Kansas City Royals during the Opening Day game on April 7, 2009 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Big trade of Peavy to the Sox today; this makes these guys great.

Jake is 3-5 on the season with a 3.82. His team does does not score many runs for him.

Buehrle is looking great this season, he is 6-1 with 2.77 ERA. But he is the only one that is looking good on the White Sox, the others are not pitching to well.

Floyd, Danks, and Colon need to pick up the slack.

#10, Blue Jays: Halladay-Ray-Richmond-Tallet-Cecil

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 6:  Roy Halladay #32 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium May 6, 2009 in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Halladay is the best pitcher in the AL East right now, and that is saying a lot when you think about CC, AJ, Lester and Beckett. He leads the Majors in wins with 8 and he only has one lose.

But he is alone here, it is him and Richmond on there own. Ray and Tallet are not doing a good job, and Cecil still needs to prove he deserves respect.

#9, Tigers: Verlander-Galarraga-Jackso-Porcello-Willis

DETROIT - MARCH 31:  Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during their game on Opening Day on March 31, 2008 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Verlander is looking great this season, he has four wins and a 3.99 ERA.

Edwin Jackson is looking great too, he has a ERA of 2.44 with 3-2 record. and Willis had a great start his last time out he pitched 6.1 innings with 5K's. Porcello also had a good start his last time out going 6.0 innings giving up one run with 5K's

#8, Mets: Santana-Pelfrey-Maine-Hernandez-Redding

NEW YORK - MAY 06:  Johan Santana  #57 of the New York Mets pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on May 6, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Johan Santana is the best pitcher in baseball, and he is looking like the 2009 Cy Young. He has been great for the Mets since coming to New York in 2008.

Pelfrey is a good pitcher, but he has not been great this season. It seems like the Mets offense always comes to life for him.

After putting Oliver Perez on the DL, the Mets gave Tim Redding a shot in the rotation, he looked good for them in his first start.

#7, Giants: Lincecum-Johnson-Cain-Zito-Sanchez

SAN FRANCISCO - APRIL 07:  Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season on April 7, 2009 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty

Tim, Cain and Zito have been looking great. They have been doing great this season.

We knew Tim and Cain are good, but with Zito it looks like he got something that he lost when coming to SF. He looks like what he was with the A's two seasons ago.

It is nice to have Johnson on your team, it is fun waiting for him to win the big 300th game.

#6, Angels: Lackey-Santana-Saunders-Weaver-Palmer

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 01:  Starting pitcher John Lackey #41 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the American League Division Series at Angel Stadium on October 1, 2008 in

The Angels have lots of talent in the rotation, and they are looking good.

Getting Lackey back was big for them, if he can be good this season then they will make it a big race for the West.

Joe Saunders is looking great this season, he is 5-2 with a 3.59 ERA. And Jered Weaver has a ERA of 2.59 and Matt Palmer is 5-0.

The only goat is Saunders who is 0-1.

#5, Red Sox: Beckett-Lester-Wakefield-Penny-Masterson

BOSTON - APRIL 7: Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett #19 throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during an opening day game at Fenway Park April 7, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Josh Beckett is looking good this year in the win-lose column, but his ERA is really bad.

Lester is not looking so good ether, he is 2-4 with a ERA over 6.50.

Wakefield and Penny are looking good this season, even thou they were the ones with the big ? on there heads before the season.

Masterson is young, and still has time to prove how good he can be.

#4, Reds: Harang-Volquez-Arroyo-Cueto-Owings

CINCINNATI, OH - APRIL 8: Edinson Volquez #36 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Great American Ballpark on April 8, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images)

Harang has been looking good, his ERA is 3.19. Dont look at his win-lose record, that does not show how good he has been.

They have the young Cueto, Owings and Volquez that are looking great and look like they may be around for a long time.

And Arroyo is a great pitcher, and a good guy to have on your team for the young pitchers. And he is a good pitcher.

#3, Cubs: Lilly-Dempster-Harden-Marshall-Wells

CHICAGO - MAY 2:  Ted Lilly #30 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Florida Marlins during the game on May 2, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Lilly, Dempster and Harden are a killer three. They are the reason the Cubs are so high on this list.

Lilly and Harden have been doing great this season. Both of them have to wins more then the loses they have.

Dempster is 4-4, but I think he will come back and end up doing well this season. Maybe as good as last season.

Wells has thrown 11 innings this season and has not yet giving up a run, that means he is doing great.

#2, Dodgers: Billingsley-Wolf-Kershaw-Stults-Milton

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13:  Chad Billingsley #58 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 11-1.  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty

Billingsley (who leads the NL in wins with 6), Wolf and Stults are looking great, they would be #1 pitchers on most teams at this time of the season

We knew the ace Billingsley was great, but Wolf, and Stults are too? These guys will be the best team in the NL West if these pitchers can keep it up.

I do not expect much from Milton, but Kershaw needs to do a bit better for his team.

#1, Yankees: Sabathia-Hughes-Chamberlain-Burnett-Pettitte

NEW YORK - MAY 19:  CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium May 19, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Every name here puts fear in all batters. I think the Yankees bout this spot with there 1\4 of a million dollars they spent on Sabathia and Burnett.

I am proud of the Yankees for getting some of there own talent in Hughes and Chamberlain. Joba is looking great, but Hughes is off to a slow start. I think he has what it takes to get out of his slump

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written on May 21, 2009 Rankings/List

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