Top MLB Rotations 2013

Top MLB Rotations 2013 | MLBTruth

There are some serious rotations set to take the mound in 2013, but how do they stack up? We set out to find the top MLB rotations in 2013. We crunched the numbers, cause that’s what we do, and have come up with the 2013 preseason rankings. Think our staff’s baseball experts are out to lunch? Let us know!

1. Nationals
   
   The Nats have the strongest rotation of any team in baseball. Stephen Strasburg is expected to be his usual self, but with a higher innings limit this season. Washington replaced the promising but ever underachieving Edwin Jackson with Dan Haren, who despite his down year should be able to bounce back in the DH-less NL.

   Stephen Strasburg (24) – 15-6, 3.16 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 197 K, 48 BB, 159. 1 IP

   Gio Gonzalez (27) – 21-8, 2.89 ERA, 207 K, 76 BB, 1.13 WHIP, 199.1 IP

   Jordan Zimmermann (26) – 12-8, 2.94 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 153 K, 43 BB, 195.2 IP

   Dan Haren (32) – 12-13, 4.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 142 K, 38 BB, 176.2 IP

   Ross Detwiler (26) – 10-8, 3.40 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 105 K, 52 BB, 164.1 IP

2. Dodgers
   
   The Dodgers added a huge piece with Zack Greinke, making their rotation scary. With a possible Beckett rebound, Kershaw and Billingsly, this rotation is not only potent, but deep as well. When talking top mlb rotations, they are a close second.

   Clayton Kershaw (24) – 14-9, 2.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 229 K, 63 BB, 227.2 IP

   Zack Greinke (29) – 15-5, 3.48 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 200 K, 54 BB, 212.1 IP

   Josh Beckett (32) – 7-14, 4.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 132 K, 52 BB, 170.1 IP

   Chad Billingsley (28) – 10-9, 3.55 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 128 K, 45 BB, 149.2 IP

   Hyun-Jin Ryu (25) – Did not pitch in the majors in 2012

3. Tigers
   
   All under 30, this young rotation looks poised to make another run for the pennant. Detroit brought back all of their key parts, including ace Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez who performed strongly down the stretch after he was acquired from the Miami Marlins. Look for Verlander to win at least 20 in 2013.

   Justin Verlander (29) – 17-8, 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 239 K, 60 BB, 238.1 IP

   Doug Fister (28) – 10-10, 3.45 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 137 K, 37 BB, 161.2 IP

   Anibal Sanchez (28) 9-13, 3.86 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 167 K, 48 BB, 195. 2 IP

   Max Scherzer (28) – 16-7, 3.74 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 231 K, 60 BB, 187.2 IP

   Rick Porcello (24) – 10-12, 4.59 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 107 K, 44 BB, 176.1 IP

4. Jays
   
   The Jays have clearly been the most active team in the offseason and their moves have propelled them up the ranks of starting pitching. Last year’s one and two, Romero and Morrow, are the four and five this year. Tremendous depth all around and as a bonus they have Happ in the bullpen waiting for an opportunity to start should anyone falter or get injured. Look for Romero to will himself back to a comeback and be a real bright spot of the rotation.

   R.A. Dickey (38) – 20-6, 2.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 230 K, 54 BB, 233.2 IP

   Josh Johnson (28) — 8-14, 3.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 165 K, 65 BB, 191.1 IP

   Mark Buehrle (33) – 13-13, 3.74 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 125 K, 40 BB, 202.1 IP

   Brandon Morrow (28) – 10-7, 2.96 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 108 K, 41 BB, 124.2 IP

   Ricky Romero (28) – 9-14. 5.77 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 124 K, 105 BB, 181.0 IP

5. Rays
   
   Trading away James Shields and still having a rotation this deep and potent is a true feat. Gold star to the Rays’ system. Along with Cy Young winner David Price, the Rays have an abundance of youth and a group of ascending players in Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, and Alex Cobb.

   David Price (27) – 20-5, 2.56 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 205 K, 59 BB, 211.0 IP

   Jeremy Hellickson (25) – 10-11, 3.10 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 124 K, 59 BB, 177.0 IP

   Matt Moore (23) – 11-11, 3.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 175 K, 81 BB, 177.1 IP

   Jeff Niemann (29) – 2-3, 3.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 34 K, 12 BB, 38.0 IP

   Alex Cobb (25) – 11-9, 4.03 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 106 K, 40 BB, 136.1 IP

6. Giants
   
   The World Series champions have a great mix. If Tim Lincecum can find himself again this rotation could be down right devastating. Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and Ryan Vogelsong should all be steady again this year; Zito is the biggest wild card, but sometimes wild cards are good.

   Matt Cain (28) – 16-5, 2.79 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 193 K, 51 BB, 219.1 IP

   Madison Bumgarner (23) – 16-11, 3.37 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 191 K, 49 BB, 208.1 IP

   Ryan Vogelsong (35) – 14-9, 3,37 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 158 K, 62 BB, 189.2 IP

   Tim Lincecum (28) – 10-15, 5.18 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 190 K, 90 BB, 186.0 IP

   Barry Zito (34) – 15-8, 4.15 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 114 K, 70 BB, 184.1 IP