Beyond Busch: NL Central Rotation Previews & MLB Notes
This week Beyond Busch presents it’s first preview of the St. Louis Cardinals’ NL Central competitors focusing on each team’s rotation. Pitching wins championships so this is where we will begin. We will then cover the bullpen, projected lineups, management and then in the last piece we’ll provide a prediction for each team. That should bring us into the first full week of spring training games. At the end of spring training we’ll provide one final assessment including any changes that transpire between now and then.
The rotation features two power pitchers at the top and finesse after that. The Cubs need solid seasons from top to bottom to have a remote chance of being competitive in the division. Here are the projected starters with last seasons standard stats.
- Ryan Dempster – 202.1 IP, 10-14, 4.80 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 191 K
- Matt Garza – 198 IP, 10-10, 3.36 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 197 K
- Randy Wells – 135 IP, 7-6, 4.99 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 89 K
- Chris Volstad – 165.2 IP, 5-13, 4.89 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 117 K
- Paul Maholm – 162.1 IP, 6-14, 3.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 97 K
The Reds are going to be one of the teams to give the Cardinals the most trouble in the division. The rotation which besides Mat Latos, will not overwhelm anyone, is probably a small part of this.
- Johnny Cueto – 156.1 IP, 9-5, 2.31 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 104 K
- Mat Latos – 194.1 IP, 9-14, 3.47 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 185 K
- Bronson Arroyo – 199 IP, 9-12, 5.07 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 108 K
- Homer Bailey – 132 IP, 9-7, 4.43 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 106 K
- Mike Leake – 167.2 IP, 9-7, 3.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 118 K
The Astros are expected to be the cellar dweller in the Central and the starting rotation has something to do with this. Will Wandy Rodriguez finally get traded?
- Wandy Rodriguez – 191 IP, 11-11, 3.49 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 166 K
- Brett Myers – 216 IP, 7-14, 4.46 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 160 K
- Bud Norris – 186 IP, 6-11, 3.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 176 K
- J.A. Happ – 156.1 IP, 6-15, 5.35 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 67 K
- Jordan Lyles – 94 IP, 2-8, 5.36 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 67 K
The Brewers may have the best rotation top to bottom in the division and is top staff in the entire National League. The defending NL Central champs will be reliant on the rotation. The loss of Prince Fielder is going to be felt as is the potential loss of Ryan Braun, who is facing a possible suspension for performance enhancing drugs.
- Zack Greinke – 171.2 IP, 16-6, 3.83 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 201 K
- Yovani Gallardo – 207.1, 17-10, 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 207 K
- Shaun Marcum – 200.2 IP, 13-7, 3.54 ERA,1.16 WHIP, 158 K
- Randy Wolf – 212.1 IP, 13-10, 3.69 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 134 K
- Chris Narveson – 161.2 IP, 11-8, 4.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 126 K
The Pirates success is going to be dependant on this staff and honestly it could go well or very wrong. Can James McDonald string together the type of season the Pirates have been waiting for?
- Erik Bedard – 129.1 IP, 5-9, 3.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 125 K
- Charlie Morton – 172.1, 10-10, 3.83, 1.53 WHIP, 110 K
- Jeff Karstens – 162.1, 9-9, 3.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 97 K
- James McDonald – 171.1 IP, 9-9, 4.21 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 142 K
- Kevin Correia – 154 IP, 12-11, 4.79 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 77 K
Here are notes on the remaining MLB rotations.
NL East
Atlanta Braves – Stood pat for a reason
Miami Marlins – It all hinges on Josh Johnson‘s health
New York Mets – What will the get out of Johan Santana?
Philadelphia Phillies – Top 3 would headline many staffs
Washington Nationals -Completely souped up staff, will help contend
NL West
Arizona Diamonbacks – Very deep rotation
Colorado Rockies – Very young, but has upside
Los Angeles Dodgers – Can Clayton Kershaw duplicate his 2011 Cy Young performance?
San Diego Padres – Luckily they pitch in Petco
San Francisco Giants – Sabean has tough choice with Matt Cain
AL East
Baltimore Orioles –Zach Britton could surprise
Boston Red Sox – Moving Daniel Bard into rotation weakens pen?
New York Yankees – If only they could sucker someone into taking A.J. Burnett
Tampa Bay Rays – Matt Moore is the real deal
Toronto Blue Jays – Will give rest of the division trouble at times
AL Central
Chicago White Sox – Chris Sale transitioning to rotation
Cleveland Indians – Losing “Carmona” hurts
Detroit Tigers – Expect more of the same from Justin Verlander
Kansas City Royals – Jonathan Sanchez hopes new venue helps
Minnesota Twins – Need a full season from Scott Baker
AL West
Los Angeles Angels – Rotation is the strength here, 1-4 All-Star potential
Oakland A’s – Bartolo Colon now #3 here, big change, no pun intended
Seattle Mariners – Only Felix Hernandez and Jason Vargas remain
Texas Rangers – Is Yu Darvish ready to face MLB hitters?
Click the link to each team to view FanSided.com coverage of the team. For general baseball news and commentary visit Call to the Pen and for minor league baseball coverage visit Seedlings to Stars. You can ‘Like’ Redbird Rants on Facebook here. You can follow Redbird Rants on Twitter at @FSRedbirdRants and Christopher Carelli on Twitter at @BaseballStance.