My, oh my, how stupid all these dumbasses must feel. Good call, Ted. Good call.
Vernacular - 8 years ago
Die hard Cubs fan - but NO WAY are the Cub pitchers better than the Met's staff. The Nationals, Cardinals, Giants, and White Sox are equal to or better than the Cub's staff. I can't agree with this article. The catcher is also a very large part of a staff's success. And you don't get much better than Yadier Molina and Buster Posey.
JD - 8 years ago
The overrating of the Cubs and the underrating of the Cards should make for an interesting central.
chaosWyrM - 8 years ago
what is this guy smoking?
the mets current rotation has a chance to be one of the (maybe even THE) best rotations in history. is he seriously trying to say that hammel and hendricks are better than matz and wheeler??
utter nonsense.
yooper - 8 years ago
Just a suggestion - um, how about giving us the names of the pitchers on the pitching staffs that are being rated?
Rick - 8 years ago
Did anyone even read the column. He starts by saying it will probably be wrong. He said it's a subjective list. He says any team from 9th to 1st could make a good case for being the best rotation. Reading comprehension is important. And who is Kendricks that some are trashing? The Cubs don't have Kendricks.
baseball2 - 8 years ago
I'm a Cubs fan and I feel that it's a crime not to put the Mets at #1
dinojane - 8 years ago
how are the white sox even ranked that high? i'd put at least half of the entire NL ahead of the white sox. chris sale, yes, then there's everyone else in that rotation lumped together. rodon has potential, but has yet to prove himself in big situations. quintana is average at best.
Mike - 8 years ago
Wow. Just wow. I have no doubt the moron who wrote this article placed the Mets 2nd and "somebody/anybody" else 1st as a way to bring attention to himself or the article. Harvey, DeGromm, Syndergaard, Matz, and Colon are without a doubt the best rotation in baseball. Period. Stop.
RP - 8 years ago
There's a sleeper team in Chicago, but it's not the Cubs.
2016 World Series: White Sox vs. Mets
Rocco - 8 years ago
You could eliminate the Mets top 2 starters and they probably still have a better rotation than the Cubs.
Synedrgaard, Matz, Wheeler, Colon, and Verritt match up well against Arrietta, Lester, Lackey, Hendricks, and Hammell.
Who wrote this absolute garbage?
Dennis718 - 8 years ago
I am a Mets fan, and I feel that I must address the completely foolish statement that this dude that is obviously masquerading as a baseball writer noted.
It's obvious that he knows nothing about baseball based on the following statement from his article: "... but the Cubs’ depth sets them apart. Only the Cardinals have Nos. 4 and 5 starters that stack up to Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks, but St. Louis can’t match the Cubs in the front end of the rotation."
Really?? You actually went there? Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks... that alone destroys any semblance of credibility or knowledge that people may have thought that you had.
This is the top 3, in my humble opinion:
1. Mets
2. Cardinals
3. Nationals
Robert - 8 years ago
If you mean most overrated then yes. Lester is very overrated when he's had one sub 3 era season while Kendricks is just complete garbage. Maybe would be the best if Lackey was 5 years younger.
Mike D - 8 years ago
As a Cubs fan I'm happy to see our rotation getting respect. However I don't believe we have the best rotation in baseball. I think it is a top 5 rotation, and we can argue about who belongs in what spot, but I believe the Mets have the best 1 through 5 in baseball. The Cubs have assembled some nice depth if by chance they have some injuries, and I believe that depth will be necessary with 3 pitchers over 30.
PT - 8 years ago
I am a Cardinals fan and I think it is the Mets and then everyone else. They have the most talent and the most potential. As for the Cubs? I expect Lester to be better, Lackey to be worse, and Arrieta to regress but still be a very solid ace. I think the 4-5 starters for the Cubs is where they have issues. Hammel and Hendricks were really bad the last few months last year so there is marked room for improvement.
The Cardinals will have injuries. They always do. Wainwright will be a solid ace. Carlos Martinez has a chance (like about 20 other pitchers) to have a really special career. He has great stuff. Garcia will contribute about 12-15 above average starts. Wacha? No idea. To me he is regressing to the mean from his great rookie year. Losing Lynn hurts, but the Cardinals lose a key player every year and manage to do okay.
I watched Houston in the playoffs last year so I am not that familiar, but I was not impressed at all. I expect their ace Keuchel (sp) to fall the farthest among the "top pitchers".
I would rank them...
Mets, Giants, Indians, Nationals, & Diamondbacks as the top 5. I would put the Cardinals around 7-9 and the Cubs right around there as well. I just don't see a "great" rotation with Lackey in the 3rd spot.
Susan Zasada - 8 years ago
I like Lackey well enough, but it will be fun to see how many home runs are hit off of him in Wrigley Field! Not to take away from his pitching, but his best games last season were home games at Busch Stadium where it's MUCH harder to hit homers. There were lots of hits off of him last year that would have been out of the park anywhere else, but were playable at Busch. And I'm pretty sure Arrieta won't even come close to the way he pitched last year. That was a fluke, indeed. Lester? He was mainly only good against a few teams, not generally dominating at all. I would have put the Mets at number one, followed by the Cardinals, Nationals, Dodgers, and the Giants in the top five. I wouldn't have even included the Cubs in that top five list. I think I would rank the White Sox and Diamondbacks before the Cubs.
Big Daddy - 8 years ago
I love all the Cards and Mets fans here. They are almost like twin sisters. I never heard such a group of whiners...."No way Cubs are better"..."no way".
It's hysterical.
Steve - 8 years ago
I seriously don't understand why the Brewers are ranked at 27th (and at 30th by one of the members here). The problem seems to be that everyone is focused on Matt Garza (who was admittedly, last year, quite bad). However, if you assume at least some 'regression to the mean', a 4.2 ERA or so is probably a reasonable thing to expect out of him.
However, even if you ignore Garza, the team has some legit young arms. And that's the thing - since the Brewers have no veterans for their starting rotation, almost everyone has upside and a chance to compete. They aren't throwing Bronson Arroyo out there for a reason. None of them are what Tim Lincecum was when he came up or anything of that sort, but they have some legit shots to have a good amount of #2/#3 starters.
They put Jimmy Nelson on the list first and I get the impression that the writer just did some really quick research on this. It's arguable Jimmy Nelson is the top arm, or the second best arm, depending on your outlook. Let's give some Jimmy stats:
Last year was Jimmy's first year. He put up a 4.11 ERA in 30 games in 177 innings with 148 Strikeouts with a 1.29 WHIP. That's not bad in itself (no, not good enough for a front line starter), but you'd expect him to improve in his second year especially given that he has a 94MPH sinker.
Next we have Wily Peralta. Wily has a career 4.02 ERA in 90 games at the age of 26.
Next we have Zach Davies. Zach only got to start 6 games last year but had 24 Ks in 34IP to a 3.71 ERA.
We also have Taylor Jungmann. Taylor started 21 games last year and put up almost a K per inning with a 3.77 ERA.
I get that no one has heard of any of these guys and as such when people are making these kind of lists they just go "I know the Phillies and Braves are bad - the Brewers are going to be bad too, so let's put them at the end". I don't disagree that they'll be bad, but it isn't because their pitching staff is horrendous - it's just below mediocre. It's more like a #24 or #23 than a #27 is all I'm saying...
Bob - 8 years ago
Im sorry but its the Mets and Indians and then a huge gap, to probably the Astros.
doc - 8 years ago
Yes , the cubs look to be the favorite but every1 should have pity on Red Sox big Papa wont get a ring with the lonely RED SOX. Cubs & Yanks in 2016
Michael - 8 years ago
2016 World Series: Cubs vs. Red Sox. In the ultimate going-away gift for Big Papi, the Red Sox win the ALCS after knocking off the Yankmees in the divisional playoffs. The Cubs give their youngsters a treat by letting them feel the thrill of the ultimate Big Show. In the end, Big Papi gets his trophy and ring, Arietta wins 2 games, Lackey and Lester get shelled, and the Bosox win it all 4-2. Cubs' fans think Lester and Lackey threw the Series to honor their former teammates. Say it ain't so, Jon and John!
Branden L - 8 years ago
So many NL homers here trashing the White Sox Rotation.. Chris Sale has been a perennial Cy Young Contender for the last 4 years despite pitching in a Hitter Friendly park.. Quintana could be an Ace on half the teams here. Rodon is getting nothing but better and Carson Fulmer could see the rotation this year, so lets stop saying the White Sox's Pitching is some how "bad" because the Defense was bad last year. A defense that should be markedly improved this year at two key positions that have been black holes for the Sox lately, btw.
JustAddWater - 8 years ago
2016 recipe for clickbait
Rank Cubs higher than maybe they should by one spot, wait for Cardinal fans to show up and complain.
Last year the Cubs starters were third in ERA in the NL. They added Lackey, lost Haren/Wada and have Warren, Wood, Cahill and Richards in the pen to fill in for any injuries. It is not impossible for them to be good. Sure, Arrieta is not likely to be as good.
Personally, I would rate the Mets higher than the cubs in starting pitching. But really not any other NL team.
i have no idea how to rank the Cardinals because last year's strand rate was so fluky good, and I have no idea if that's skill or luck. They gave up more hits, more walks, just a few less homeruns than Cubs starting pitchers but got much better results.
Add on Wainwright and Leake having to replace the lofty numbers of Lackey and Lynn, and a little less depth of experience, I am not ashamed to have the Cubs ranked higher than the Cardinals.
Cards bullpen is better, Cubs lineup is better, in my opinion.
Let's play ball and quit whining ok?
JoeJoe Potato - 8 years ago
Your list is fairly accurate up until the the final two spots. There is NO WAY the Mets don't have the best rotation in baseball. Only a moron would think otherwise. And, there is NO WAY the Cubs have the best rotation in baseball. Are you smoking crack man???? Hammel and Hendricks are TERRIBLE. And mark my word, Lackey will never have another season like he did last year, especially not in Wrigley. Do you not ralize that Lackey is 37???? He had a swan song season last year. He'll plummet to average or below average this season. Everyone knows how great the Mets' rotation is. I don't even like the Mets and I know how good they are. There's no point in even pointing out all your flaws in your argument against them. And if you think I'd rather have the Cubs rotation over St. Louis, New York, San Francisco, Washington or Cleveland, you are an idiot. There's no way you'd take that staff over those if you were starting your own team. The top two teams are clearly Washington and the New York Mets.
By the way, you're terrible.
LoveHatePeace - 8 years ago
Mets are definitely better than the Cubs. This list should include proven clutch performers and the Cubs have not proven anything yet IMO. Pirates should not be in the top 10 for sure. KC would probably be in top 10 on my list.. Figures don't lie, but liars definitely figure or something like that.. A list of most feared starting pitchers in games that actually matter would be:
#1. Mets
#2. San Francisco
#3. St Louis
#4. Kansas City
#5. Houston
Dan - 8 years ago
Everyone but Cubs fans laughed at this piece, obviously written by a jealous Cubs fan. Even non-Mets fans know their starting 5 is the best in MLB
Steve - 8 years ago
If you don't think the mets have the best rotation in baseball your wrong. They out dueled the dodgers when it mattered the most and that's when they had grienke. they 4-0ed the cubs who supposedly have the best rotation in baseball.
With wainwright back I think the cards will have a great rotation once again but you never know with him. Just like with the mets and if they can stay healthy. If they stay healthy they will have four 15 game winners. And we will be NL East champs again and daniel murphy can cry with bryce harper and all their DC fans as bryce gets ready for his payday else where in a couple years.
JB - 8 years ago
It's all about staying healthy for any staff, and the top 10 teams listed in this article have good starters. I didn't see enough mention of middle and closers, though. Lost track of how many great starts ended in ND from blown hold and save opportunities! I also do NOT agree with the Cubbies at the top of the list, as while they do have a great potential staff, they don't really have a super #1 ace - more like a group of 3-4 potentials. Is it better to have a two-ace attack with committee to follow, or have 4 solid starters and hope to avoid injuries? Hey, it's just fun to talk baseball again!! Go Giants! :)
James Hawk - 8 years ago
What did all of the Cub's experience and innings pitched get them last season?
Casey - 8 years ago
I'll take the Mets, Cardinals, and Nationals over the Cubs rotation
Steve - 8 years ago
You can't judge the Cardinals rotation based on playoff performance. They had a phenomenal rotation throughout the regular season and were beset by injury and illness going into the postseason. I thought it was a good move not to sign Lackey to a 2 year deal this offseason.....but the Leake signing doesn't do much for me.
Roger - 8 years ago
Lol, picking the Cubs over Mets. I guess it would be boring and same old article if they picked Mets like everyone else
steve - 8 years ago
Another one jumping on the Cubs bandwagon. John Lackey was not the Cardinals "top performer" last year (Martinez and Garcia). The Cardinals didn't even try to retain him because of his age and the unliklihood he will repeat last year's numbers. I like Lackey....but you are nuts. Mets, Giants, and Cards all have better rotations in the NL.
Chris - 8 years ago
This is crazy. How can the mets rotation be behind the Cubs when they literally dominated them in the NLCS. Giants and Dbacks are too low, White Sox and Dodgers are way too high
Tiberius - 8 years ago
As a Chicago fan, I definitely disagree with putting the Cubs at #1. Mets are first. At best, they're #3 after the Nationals. And the White Sox are WAY too high at #6. They're more in the 12th or 13th range.
Captain Fun - 8 years ago
As a longtime SF Giants fan I have to say this writer is clearly smoking some crack. NY Mets are tops followed closely by the Cards. I put my club at #3 and round out the top 5 with Arizona and then Chicago. I don't care how solid this guy thinks chicago white sox are they pitch half the time in a hitter park and have terrible defense behind them. There are many factors to consider when making these picks and clearly the drugs got in the way for this guy to even make clear, rational choices. Bottom line.......... don't smoke crack lol
Big D - 8 years ago
Astros deserve higher rating. Their problem is bullpen. Dodgers even with Kershaw are a big disaster. Kazmir will not last the season in the rotation. A big waste of $$!! Ryu and Anderson are big question marks with major health concerns. If Kershaw doesn't go 22-3 which he very well could the Dodgers could finish below .500. Not good!
Graz - 8 years ago
I guess he had to do it for shock value but Cubs rotation is not better than the Mets. Hell, its not even second best. And to say Kendricks & Hammels is better than Matz & Wheeler is silly.
Chris - 8 years ago
Cmon now Harvey, DeGrom, Syndergaard would put Arrieta, Lester, and Lackey to shame. Then the Mets have Matz, Wheeler (in June-July) and Colon who isn't terrible especially being the 4th, 5th, or 6th man in the rotation
Travis - 8 years ago
@ nap.....I think you will wait a little longer than your current 84 years. The Cubs rotation based on a bunch of older pitchers could be trouble. Lester looks like a guy that's on the verge of losing his edge. This just in, long high dollar contracts do not guarantee future performance.
On the offensive side the Cubs have several young exciting players. I for one am not all tore up that Heyward passed on the Cards offer. Everyone talks about his young age and athletic skills which is all true. I feel like he has an opportunity to be injury prone as he ages. He was hurt often last year with little things. He played through many of them....can anyone say walk year. If the Cubs get a 130 games out of him it'll be a good year for them. I was not at all happy the Cards traded Miller for him...knee jerk reaction that I bet Moe wishes he had back.
The Cards have their own injury prone outfield questions to answer. If they don't sign another outfielder this off season look for them to be a player at the trade deadline....they have the money.
The Mets have the best rotation on paper no question.......I hope the Cards find a way to get it done in spite of that.
It would be a very dull world to say the least if we all held the same opinion and liked the same team.
Can't wait for opening day! Go Cards
JEd - 8 years ago
Is this guy serious? Nobody has better 4 or 5 starters than Hammel and Kendricks? hahahaha this guy is high as shit. Mets hands down have the best Rotation in all of MLB
McMan - 8 years ago
The Cubs? Is this guy serious? All 3 of their best pitchers are at the end of their careers and Arrieta is an aberration. He'll never even come close to last season's performance. Lester is 32, so this season is going to be telling as to how he pitches his last 3-5 years. He is a steady 200 inning pitcher and he's dependable, but he's not an ace. Although Lackey did have his best ERA last season, it isn't even close to his norm. Lackey is 38 years old for crying out loud! His W/L over the past few seasons have been slightly better than even. He's no ace either.
I think Ted Berg is one of many sports writers who's mind is still stuck in the steroid era. I have nothing against the Cubs, but their staff isn't even top 5.
The Mets are rich in starting pitching. Not only do they have 4 potential aces to start the season, but they are all young and remember, Wheeler will be coming back in June. I just don't see any staff that can match up with them.
I am a Met fan, but I am also realistic. On paper, the Mets are loaded, but it has to translate to the field. If Collins continues to mismanage, we could have a let down. I know Collins is trying his best to burn out Familia. I'm just waiting for the game where he expects Familia to do a 9 out save. Closers are meant to come in for 3 outs and not hold back. You can't do that if you're constantly doing 4 and 5 out saves.
Hanj - 8 years ago
It's an even year.... So I'm saying the San Francisco Giants!,,,
Mike T. - 8 years ago
Mets will have three 20 game winners.
H.R. - 8 years ago
How are we supposed to take this article seriously when Jonathon Niese is on the cover picture? He was traded almost 2 months ago.
TRKeith - 8 years ago
From a Twins fan, who has no realistic shot at contending, but looking in from the outside: the Mets have an incredible rotation. The Cardinals are very solid, but unspectacular; the Cubs may have passed them this year. And if you get any pitching behind the best pitcher in baseball, the Dodgers could be scary with a staff in addition to Kershaw.
Ryan - 8 years ago
I'm a Cubs fan and even I think it's ridiculous to put the Cubs rotation ahead of the Mets.
I also find AJ's comments idiotic at best. In general, yes, Wainwright is better than Lackey. But Wainwright has to match Lackey's production from last year, not his career production. Wainwright will be lucky to match Lackey's 2.77 ERA from last year. And no, Leake is not going to match Lynn's production from last year. Lynn had a 3.03 ERA this year and a 2.74 ERA last year. Leake's career best ERA is 3.37, and that was 2 years ago.
He's clearly a Cardinals mark who has a bone to pick with the Cubs. Only a moron would put the Cubs rotation back at #7, behind the Tigers who literally have only one decent starting pitcher.
Rich - 8 years ago
Oh also KWM, I know it is a natural thing for Cardinal fans to hate the Cubs (growing up in Western KY around lots of Card fans) but use some logic, the Cubs are greatly improved and the Poll was about starting rotations not total pitching staffs as you bring up Cardinal bull pen.
Rich - 8 years ago
AJ and KWM, your St. Louis pitchers were great in the playoffs in 2015. Sorry guys, not sure Wainwright may be healthy, may not be. You do have a great catcher but Mets and Cubs look to have better pitching than you do this year. Also AJ, did you notice that you only have 2 AL teams in your top 11? Talking about bias, NL bias that is. Tampa's rotation is much better than Detroit though. You need to watch the AL more my friend.
KWM - 8 years ago
Absolute biased rubbish. The Cubs rotation can't touch the Cardinals for best in baseball. For starters, there's no way Arrietta will ever have that kind of year again and Lester was average. After that???
Wainwright, Wacha, Martinez, Leake, Garcia and a lights out 'pen that actually has three closers (two as set up men) and a great mid-rotation.
I crack up every time I read someone elevating the Cubs to heights that they've never proven to play at. Go back to watching "Back to the Future" and dreaming. They'll still be shutting teams down in STL.
A.J - 8 years ago
I'll remake this whole list from top to bottom in the order it should be, starting with #30:
30. Milwaukee Brewers
29. Philadelphia Phillies
28. Cincinnati Reds
27. Baltimore Orioles
26. Toronto Blue Jays
25. Colorado Rockies
24. Kansas City Royals
23. L.A Angels
22. Miami Marlins
21. New York Yankees
20. Minnesota Twins
19. Seattle Mariners
18. Atlanta Braves
17. Boston Red Sox
16. Chicago White Sox
15. Texas Rangers
14. Oakland A's
13. Cleveland Indians
12. Tampa Bay Rays
11. L.A Dodgers
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
9. Houston Astros
8. San Diego Padres
7. Chicago Cubs
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. Detroit Tigers
4. Washington Nationals
3. San Francisco Giants
2. St. Louis Cardinals
1. New York Mets
AJ - 8 years ago
Absolute trash underrating the Cardinals rotation. They had the best rotation last year, historically good and they did it without their ace. Wainwright > Lackey and Leake will match Lynn's production. This St. Louis Cardinals rotation will again be the best. Why? YADIER MOLINA!!! Oh, they also have an elite pitching prospect, Alex Reyes. The Cubs are so overblown by the media that its ridiculous. They don't even have a top 10 rotation if you look at it without a biased opinion.
Pastor Al - 8 years ago
The cardinals and giants will still be two of the best starting rotations. these are the only two teams has a top catcher in the league that knows how to work with pitchers in game situations.
JoAnnA - 8 years ago
GO-CUBS !!!
nap - 8 years ago
I have been waiting 84 years for this..
Pistolpete - 8 years ago
Mets probably have best starting pitching,....but my concern is can they last the whole season.
Second best, I believe is AZ Diamondbacks....Grienke, Miller, Corbin and Ray are as good as any staff 1-4.
My, oh my, how stupid all these dumbasses must feel. Good call, Ted. Good call.
Die hard Cubs fan - but NO WAY are the Cub pitchers better than the Met's staff. The Nationals, Cardinals, Giants, and White Sox are equal to or better than the Cub's staff. I can't agree with this article. The catcher is also a very large part of a staff's success. And you don't get much better than Yadier Molina and Buster Posey.
The overrating of the Cubs and the underrating of the Cards should make for an interesting central.
what is this guy smoking?
the mets current rotation has a chance to be one of the (maybe even THE) best rotations in history. is he seriously trying to say that hammel and hendricks are better than matz and wheeler??
utter nonsense.
Just a suggestion - um, how about giving us the names of the pitchers on the pitching staffs that are being rated?
Did anyone even read the column. He starts by saying it will probably be wrong. He said it's a subjective list. He says any team from 9th to 1st could make a good case for being the best rotation. Reading comprehension is important. And who is Kendricks that some are trashing? The Cubs don't have Kendricks.
I'm a Cubs fan and I feel that it's a crime not to put the Mets at #1
how are the white sox even ranked that high? i'd put at least half of the entire NL ahead of the white sox. chris sale, yes, then there's everyone else in that rotation lumped together. rodon has potential, but has yet to prove himself in big situations. quintana is average at best.
Wow. Just wow. I have no doubt the moron who wrote this article placed the Mets 2nd and "somebody/anybody" else 1st as a way to bring attention to himself or the article. Harvey, DeGromm, Syndergaard, Matz, and Colon are without a doubt the best rotation in baseball. Period. Stop.
There's a sleeper team in Chicago, but it's not the Cubs.
2016 World Series: White Sox vs. Mets
You could eliminate the Mets top 2 starters and they probably still have a better rotation than the Cubs.
Synedrgaard, Matz, Wheeler, Colon, and Verritt match up well against Arrietta, Lester, Lackey, Hendricks, and Hammell.
Who wrote this absolute garbage?
I am a Mets fan, and I feel that I must address the completely foolish statement that this dude that is obviously masquerading as a baseball writer noted.
It's obvious that he knows nothing about baseball based on the following statement from his article: "... but the Cubs’ depth sets them apart. Only the Cardinals have Nos. 4 and 5 starters that stack up to Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks, but St. Louis can’t match the Cubs in the front end of the rotation."
Really?? You actually went there? Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks... that alone destroys any semblance of credibility or knowledge that people may have thought that you had.
This is the top 3, in my humble opinion:
1. Mets
2. Cardinals
3. Nationals
If you mean most overrated then yes. Lester is very overrated when he's had one sub 3 era season while Kendricks is just complete garbage. Maybe would be the best if Lackey was 5 years younger.
As a Cubs fan I'm happy to see our rotation getting respect. However I don't believe we have the best rotation in baseball. I think it is a top 5 rotation, and we can argue about who belongs in what spot, but I believe the Mets have the best 1 through 5 in baseball. The Cubs have assembled some nice depth if by chance they have some injuries, and I believe that depth will be necessary with 3 pitchers over 30.
I am a Cardinals fan and I think it is the Mets and then everyone else. They have the most talent and the most potential. As for the Cubs? I expect Lester to be better, Lackey to be worse, and Arrieta to regress but still be a very solid ace. I think the 4-5 starters for the Cubs is where they have issues. Hammel and Hendricks were really bad the last few months last year so there is marked room for improvement.
The Cardinals will have injuries. They always do. Wainwright will be a solid ace. Carlos Martinez has a chance (like about 20 other pitchers) to have a really special career. He has great stuff. Garcia will contribute about 12-15 above average starts. Wacha? No idea. To me he is regressing to the mean from his great rookie year. Losing Lynn hurts, but the Cardinals lose a key player every year and manage to do okay.
I watched Houston in the playoffs last year so I am not that familiar, but I was not impressed at all. I expect their ace Keuchel (sp) to fall the farthest among the "top pitchers".
I would rank them...
Mets, Giants, Indians, Nationals, & Diamondbacks as the top 5. I would put the Cardinals around 7-9 and the Cubs right around there as well. I just don't see a "great" rotation with Lackey in the 3rd spot.
I like Lackey well enough, but it will be fun to see how many home runs are hit off of him in Wrigley Field! Not to take away from his pitching, but his best games last season were home games at Busch Stadium where it's MUCH harder to hit homers. There were lots of hits off of him last year that would have been out of the park anywhere else, but were playable at Busch. And I'm pretty sure Arrieta won't even come close to the way he pitched last year. That was a fluke, indeed. Lester? He was mainly only good against a few teams, not generally dominating at all. I would have put the Mets at number one, followed by the Cardinals, Nationals, Dodgers, and the Giants in the top five. I wouldn't have even included the Cubs in that top five list. I think I would rank the White Sox and Diamondbacks before the Cubs.
I love all the Cards and Mets fans here. They are almost like twin sisters. I never heard such a group of whiners...."No way Cubs are better"..."no way".
It's hysterical.
I seriously don't understand why the Brewers are ranked at 27th (and at 30th by one of the members here). The problem seems to be that everyone is focused on Matt Garza (who was admittedly, last year, quite bad). However, if you assume at least some 'regression to the mean', a 4.2 ERA or so is probably a reasonable thing to expect out of him.
However, even if you ignore Garza, the team has some legit young arms. And that's the thing - since the Brewers have no veterans for their starting rotation, almost everyone has upside and a chance to compete. They aren't throwing Bronson Arroyo out there for a reason. None of them are what Tim Lincecum was when he came up or anything of that sort, but they have some legit shots to have a good amount of #2/#3 starters.
They put Jimmy Nelson on the list first and I get the impression that the writer just did some really quick research on this. It's arguable Jimmy Nelson is the top arm, or the second best arm, depending on your outlook. Let's give some Jimmy stats:
Last year was Jimmy's first year. He put up a 4.11 ERA in 30 games in 177 innings with 148 Strikeouts with a 1.29 WHIP. That's not bad in itself (no, not good enough for a front line starter), but you'd expect him to improve in his second year especially given that he has a 94MPH sinker.
Next we have Wily Peralta. Wily has a career 4.02 ERA in 90 games at the age of 26.
Next we have Zach Davies. Zach only got to start 6 games last year but had 24 Ks in 34IP to a 3.71 ERA.
We also have Taylor Jungmann. Taylor started 21 games last year and put up almost a K per inning with a 3.77 ERA.
I get that no one has heard of any of these guys and as such when people are making these kind of lists they just go "I know the Phillies and Braves are bad - the Brewers are going to be bad too, so let's put them at the end". I don't disagree that they'll be bad, but it isn't because their pitching staff is horrendous - it's just below mediocre. It's more like a #24 or #23 than a #27 is all I'm saying...
Im sorry but its the Mets and Indians and then a huge gap, to probably the Astros.
Yes , the cubs look to be the favorite but every1 should have pity on Red Sox big Papa wont get a ring with the lonely RED SOX. Cubs & Yanks in 2016
2016 World Series: Cubs vs. Red Sox. In the ultimate going-away gift for Big Papi, the Red Sox win the ALCS after knocking off the Yankmees in the divisional playoffs. The Cubs give their youngsters a treat by letting them feel the thrill of the ultimate Big Show. In the end, Big Papi gets his trophy and ring, Arietta wins 2 games, Lackey and Lester get shelled, and the Bosox win it all 4-2. Cubs' fans think Lester and Lackey threw the Series to honor their former teammates. Say it ain't so, Jon and John!
So many NL homers here trashing the White Sox Rotation.. Chris Sale has been a perennial Cy Young Contender for the last 4 years despite pitching in a Hitter Friendly park.. Quintana could be an Ace on half the teams here. Rodon is getting nothing but better and Carson Fulmer could see the rotation this year, so lets stop saying the White Sox's Pitching is some how "bad" because the Defense was bad last year. A defense that should be markedly improved this year at two key positions that have been black holes for the Sox lately, btw.
2016 recipe for clickbait
Rank Cubs higher than maybe they should by one spot, wait for Cardinal fans to show up and complain.
Last year the Cubs starters were third in ERA in the NL. They added Lackey, lost Haren/Wada and have Warren, Wood, Cahill and Richards in the pen to fill in for any injuries. It is not impossible for them to be good. Sure, Arrieta is not likely to be as good.
Personally, I would rate the Mets higher than the cubs in starting pitching. But really not any other NL team.
i have no idea how to rank the Cardinals because last year's strand rate was so fluky good, and I have no idea if that's skill or luck. They gave up more hits, more walks, just a few less homeruns than Cubs starting pitchers but got much better results.
Add on Wainwright and Leake having to replace the lofty numbers of Lackey and Lynn, and a little less depth of experience, I am not ashamed to have the Cubs ranked higher than the Cardinals.
Cards bullpen is better, Cubs lineup is better, in my opinion.
Let's play ball and quit whining ok?
Your list is fairly accurate up until the the final two spots. There is NO WAY the Mets don't have the best rotation in baseball. Only a moron would think otherwise. And, there is NO WAY the Cubs have the best rotation in baseball. Are you smoking crack man???? Hammel and Hendricks are TERRIBLE. And mark my word, Lackey will never have another season like he did last year, especially not in Wrigley. Do you not ralize that Lackey is 37???? He had a swan song season last year. He'll plummet to average or below average this season. Everyone knows how great the Mets' rotation is. I don't even like the Mets and I know how good they are. There's no point in even pointing out all your flaws in your argument against them. And if you think I'd rather have the Cubs rotation over St. Louis, New York, San Francisco, Washington or Cleveland, you are an idiot. There's no way you'd take that staff over those if you were starting your own team. The top two teams are clearly Washington and the New York Mets.
By the way, you're terrible.
Mets are definitely better than the Cubs. This list should include proven clutch performers and the Cubs have not proven anything yet IMO. Pirates should not be in the top 10 for sure. KC would probably be in top 10 on my list.. Figures don't lie, but liars definitely figure or something like that.. A list of most feared starting pitchers in games that actually matter would be:
#1. Mets
#2. San Francisco
#3. St Louis
#4. Kansas City
#5. Houston
Everyone but Cubs fans laughed at this piece, obviously written by a jealous Cubs fan. Even non-Mets fans know their starting 5 is the best in MLB
If you don't think the mets have the best rotation in baseball your wrong. They out dueled the dodgers when it mattered the most and that's when they had grienke. they 4-0ed the cubs who supposedly have the best rotation in baseball.
With wainwright back I think the cards will have a great rotation once again but you never know with him. Just like with the mets and if they can stay healthy. If they stay healthy they will have four 15 game winners. And we will be NL East champs again and daniel murphy can cry with bryce harper and all their DC fans as bryce gets ready for his payday else where in a couple years.
It's all about staying healthy for any staff, and the top 10 teams listed in this article have good starters. I didn't see enough mention of middle and closers, though. Lost track of how many great starts ended in ND from blown hold and save opportunities! I also do NOT agree with the Cubbies at the top of the list, as while they do have a great potential staff, they don't really have a super #1 ace - more like a group of 3-4 potentials. Is it better to have a two-ace attack with committee to follow, or have 4 solid starters and hope to avoid injuries? Hey, it's just fun to talk baseball again!! Go Giants! :)
What did all of the Cub's experience and innings pitched get them last season?
I'll take the Mets, Cardinals, and Nationals over the Cubs rotation
You can't judge the Cardinals rotation based on playoff performance. They had a phenomenal rotation throughout the regular season and were beset by injury and illness going into the postseason. I thought it was a good move not to sign Lackey to a 2 year deal this offseason.....but the Leake signing doesn't do much for me.
Lol, picking the Cubs over Mets. I guess it would be boring and same old article if they picked Mets like everyone else
Another one jumping on the Cubs bandwagon. John Lackey was not the Cardinals "top performer" last year (Martinez and Garcia). The Cardinals didn't even try to retain him because of his age and the unliklihood he will repeat last year's numbers. I like Lackey....but you are nuts. Mets, Giants, and Cards all have better rotations in the NL.
This is crazy. How can the mets rotation be behind the Cubs when they literally dominated them in the NLCS. Giants and Dbacks are too low, White Sox and Dodgers are way too high
As a Chicago fan, I definitely disagree with putting the Cubs at #1. Mets are first. At best, they're #3 after the Nationals. And the White Sox are WAY too high at #6. They're more in the 12th or 13th range.
As a longtime SF Giants fan I have to say this writer is clearly smoking some crack. NY Mets are tops followed closely by the Cards. I put my club at #3 and round out the top 5 with Arizona and then Chicago. I don't care how solid this guy thinks chicago white sox are they pitch half the time in a hitter park and have terrible defense behind them. There are many factors to consider when making these picks and clearly the drugs got in the way for this guy to even make clear, rational choices. Bottom line.......... don't smoke crack lol
Astros deserve higher rating. Their problem is bullpen. Dodgers even with Kershaw are a big disaster. Kazmir will not last the season in the rotation. A big waste of $$!! Ryu and Anderson are big question marks with major health concerns. If Kershaw doesn't go 22-3 which he very well could the Dodgers could finish below .500. Not good!
I guess he had to do it for shock value but Cubs rotation is not better than the Mets. Hell, its not even second best. And to say Kendricks & Hammels is better than Matz & Wheeler is silly.
Cmon now Harvey, DeGrom, Syndergaard would put Arrieta, Lester, and Lackey to shame. Then the Mets have Matz, Wheeler (in June-July) and Colon who isn't terrible especially being the 4th, 5th, or 6th man in the rotation
@ nap.....I think you will wait a little longer than your current 84 years. The Cubs rotation based on a bunch of older pitchers could be trouble. Lester looks like a guy that's on the verge of losing his edge. This just in, long high dollar contracts do not guarantee future performance.
On the offensive side the Cubs have several young exciting players. I for one am not all tore up that Heyward passed on the Cards offer. Everyone talks about his young age and athletic skills which is all true. I feel like he has an opportunity to be injury prone as he ages. He was hurt often last year with little things. He played through many of them....can anyone say walk year. If the Cubs get a 130 games out of him it'll be a good year for them. I was not at all happy the Cards traded Miller for him...knee jerk reaction that I bet Moe wishes he had back.
The Cards have their own injury prone outfield questions to answer. If they don't sign another outfielder this off season look for them to be a player at the trade deadline....they have the money.
The Mets have the best rotation on paper no question.......I hope the Cards find a way to get it done in spite of that.
It would be a very dull world to say the least if we all held the same opinion and liked the same team.
Can't wait for opening day! Go Cards
Is this guy serious? Nobody has better 4 or 5 starters than Hammel and Kendricks? hahahaha this guy is high as shit. Mets hands down have the best Rotation in all of MLB
The Cubs? Is this guy serious? All 3 of their best pitchers are at the end of their careers and Arrieta is an aberration. He'll never even come close to last season's performance. Lester is 32, so this season is going to be telling as to how he pitches his last 3-5 years. He is a steady 200 inning pitcher and he's dependable, but he's not an ace. Although Lackey did have his best ERA last season, it isn't even close to his norm. Lackey is 38 years old for crying out loud! His W/L over the past few seasons have been slightly better than even. He's no ace either.
I think Ted Berg is one of many sports writers who's mind is still stuck in the steroid era. I have nothing against the Cubs, but their staff isn't even top 5.
The Mets are rich in starting pitching. Not only do they have 4 potential aces to start the season, but they are all young and remember, Wheeler will be coming back in June. I just don't see any staff that can match up with them.
I am a Met fan, but I am also realistic. On paper, the Mets are loaded, but it has to translate to the field. If Collins continues to mismanage, we could have a let down. I know Collins is trying his best to burn out Familia. I'm just waiting for the game where he expects Familia to do a 9 out save. Closers are meant to come in for 3 outs and not hold back. You can't do that if you're constantly doing 4 and 5 out saves.
It's an even year.... So I'm saying the San Francisco Giants!,,,
Mets will have three 20 game winners.
How are we supposed to take this article seriously when Jonathon Niese is on the cover picture? He was traded almost 2 months ago.
From a Twins fan, who has no realistic shot at contending, but looking in from the outside: the Mets have an incredible rotation. The Cardinals are very solid, but unspectacular; the Cubs may have passed them this year. And if you get any pitching behind the best pitcher in baseball, the Dodgers could be scary with a staff in addition to Kershaw.
I'm a Cubs fan and even I think it's ridiculous to put the Cubs rotation ahead of the Mets.
I also find AJ's comments idiotic at best. In general, yes, Wainwright is better than Lackey. But Wainwright has to match Lackey's production from last year, not his career production. Wainwright will be lucky to match Lackey's 2.77 ERA from last year. And no, Leake is not going to match Lynn's production from last year. Lynn had a 3.03 ERA this year and a 2.74 ERA last year. Leake's career best ERA is 3.37, and that was 2 years ago.
He's clearly a Cardinals mark who has a bone to pick with the Cubs. Only a moron would put the Cubs rotation back at #7, behind the Tigers who literally have only one decent starting pitcher.
Oh also KWM, I know it is a natural thing for Cardinal fans to hate the Cubs (growing up in Western KY around lots of Card fans) but use some logic, the Cubs are greatly improved and the Poll was about starting rotations not total pitching staffs as you bring up Cardinal bull pen.
AJ and KWM, your St. Louis pitchers were great in the playoffs in 2015. Sorry guys, not sure Wainwright may be healthy, may not be. You do have a great catcher but Mets and Cubs look to have better pitching than you do this year. Also AJ, did you notice that you only have 2 AL teams in your top 11? Talking about bias, NL bias that is. Tampa's rotation is much better than Detroit though. You need to watch the AL more my friend.
Absolute biased rubbish. The Cubs rotation can't touch the Cardinals for best in baseball. For starters, there's no way Arrietta will ever have that kind of year again and Lester was average. After that???
Wainwright, Wacha, Martinez, Leake, Garcia and a lights out 'pen that actually has three closers (two as set up men) and a great mid-rotation.
I crack up every time I read someone elevating the Cubs to heights that they've never proven to play at. Go back to watching "Back to the Future" and dreaming. They'll still be shutting teams down in STL.
I'll remake this whole list from top to bottom in the order it should be, starting with #30:
30. Milwaukee Brewers
29. Philadelphia Phillies
28. Cincinnati Reds
27. Baltimore Orioles
26. Toronto Blue Jays
25. Colorado Rockies
24. Kansas City Royals
23. L.A Angels
22. Miami Marlins
21. New York Yankees
20. Minnesota Twins
19. Seattle Mariners
18. Atlanta Braves
17. Boston Red Sox
16. Chicago White Sox
15. Texas Rangers
14. Oakland A's
13. Cleveland Indians
12. Tampa Bay Rays
11. L.A Dodgers
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
9. Houston Astros
8. San Diego Padres
7. Chicago Cubs
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. Detroit Tigers
4. Washington Nationals
3. San Francisco Giants
2. St. Louis Cardinals
1. New York Mets
Absolute trash underrating the Cardinals rotation. They had the best rotation last year, historically good and they did it without their ace. Wainwright > Lackey and Leake will match Lynn's production. This St. Louis Cardinals rotation will again be the best. Why? YADIER MOLINA!!! Oh, they also have an elite pitching prospect, Alex Reyes. The Cubs are so overblown by the media that its ridiculous. They don't even have a top 10 rotation if you look at it without a biased opinion.
The cardinals and giants will still be two of the best starting rotations. these are the only two teams has a top catcher in the league that knows how to work with pitchers in game situations.
GO-CUBS !!!
I have been waiting 84 years for this..
Mets probably have best starting pitching,....but my concern is can they last the whole season.
Second best, I believe is AZ Diamondbacks....Grienke, Miller, Corbin and Ray are as good as any staff 1-4.