MLB Playoff Rotation Tiers: Ranking Every Team's October Starting Pitching Options
In the quest for October glory, starting pitching is key. As the MLB playoffs approach, teams are gearing up with their most promising pitchers to secure a spot in the championship. Each contender possesses a unique set of strengths and weaknesses when it comes to their postseason pitching options.
Tier 1: Teams with a Strong Starting Rotation
- New York Yankees: Led by ace Luis Severino, the Yankees boast a formidable lineup featuring James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: With Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers possess a reliable and experienced rotation.
- Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox have a balanced rotation featuring Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Sale, and Rick Porcello.
- Houston Astros: The Astros rely on their ace Justin Verlander, backed by Gerrit Cole and Collin McHugh.
Tier 2: Teams with Promising Starting Rotation
- Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have a young and talented rotation, with Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, and Yu Darvish leading the charge.
- Los Angeles Angels: The Angels have a solid rotation featuring Shohei Ohtani, Jered Weaver, and Andrew Heaney.
- San Francisco Giants: The Giants rely on their experienced duo of Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, with Jeff Samardzija providing depth.
Tier 3: Teams with Limited Starting Rotation
- Atlanta Braves: The Braves have a mix of youth and experience, with Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz, and Sean Newcomb leading the way.
- Seattle Mariners: The Mariners rely on their talented trio of Felix Hernandez, James Paxton, and Marco Gonzales.
- Oakland Athletics: The Athletics' rotation consists of Trevor Cahill, Sean Manaea, and Brett Anderson.
Tier 4: Teams with Weak Starting Rotation
- St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals rely on their experienced duo of Carlos Martinez and Michael Wacha.
- Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers' rotation features Freddy Peralta, Brandon Wooden, and Brent Suter.
- Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies' rotation consists of Vince Velasquez, Jake Arrieta, and Aaron Nola.
Tier 5: Teams with Inexperienced Rotation
- New York Mets: The Mets' rotation includes Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Jason Vargas.
- Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays' rotation features Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, and Ryan Borucki.
- Cincinnati Reds: The Reds' rotation consists of Sal Romano, Luis Castillo, and Amir Garrett.
Tier 6: Teams with Inconsistent Rotation
- San Francisco Giants: The Giants' rotation includes Johnny Cueto, Derek Holland, and Andrew Suarez.
- Minnesota Twins: The Twins' rotation features Jose Berrios, Jose Urena, and Jake Odorizzi.
- Kansas City Royals: The Royals' rotation consists of Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, and Jakob Junis.
<small>Source: ESPN — read the original story there.</small>