SP - Cole Hamels, Phillies: How did Cole Hamels slip through the cracks? Quietly putting together another fine year for Philadelphia with a 3.16 ERA in a National League best 135 innings pitched.
SP - Tim Hudson, Braves: Timmy Hudson is putting together a fine season as one of the NL's premiere innings eaters.
SP - Jair Jurrjens, Braves: The Braves certainly could use John Smoltz at the top of their rotation, but Jurrjens and Hudson certainly are picking up the slack. Jurrjens is carrying an even 3.00 ERA on the season.
SP - Kyle Lohse, Cardinals: This spot came down to Lohse and Florida starter Ricky Nolasco. Similar numbers for the most part, but Lohse is one of the better pitchers in the NL in terms of not walking hitters.
SP - Chad Billingsley, Dodgers: One of the better strikeout pitchers in the National League, Billingsley gets a nod from me.
SU - Taylor Buchholz, Rockies: To me, Buchholz has pretty much been the most reliable set-up men in the National League. His ERA and on-base against is better than the other three guys I considered.
SU - Carlos Marmol, Cubs: I had a tough time picking between Marmol and Heath Bell, last year's set up man. Marmol in the end has more holds, a better average against and I need a guy who I can bring in to strike out any given hitter.
CL - Jon Rauch, Nationals: Clearly I don't get the choice of dependable closers of B.J. Ryan and Bobby Jenks in the National League. It came down to five guys and I went with Rauch for his 6 BB, low average against and ability to strike someone out as well.
The idea wasn't to select based off one set idea like, “best statistical performance.” It was to form a competitive team based off guys with certain skill sets, but they did need to be having good years for the most part. I did my best to at least name guys who I considered, just to make sure they got some notice in this.
Who would win this game? I'll leave that up for everyone else to decide. I think I did a good job in terms of putting together a solid all-around team in both leagues, so I can't pick a side in this matter.
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