The National League East is always a highly competitive division with a handful of perennial Cy-Young Award contenders. Throughout the season, every game matters and teams strive to field the best possible starting pitching rotation in order to compete for a win in each game. This division contains three very strong rotations and two that are looking to fill voids left by offseason roster moves. Since it is so early in the season, I will be ranking the rotations based on a combination of statistics thus far and the ability to sustain success throughout the season. Let’s get to it.
5. Miami Marlins
The first thirteen games of the 2013 season have left an unsavory taste in the mouths of Miami’s fans. Although the blame for their 2-11 start does not rest solely on the shoulders of the starting pitchers, they have been less-than superb. After trading their ace Josh Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason, the Marlins looked to veterans Wade LeBlanc, Kevin Slowey, and Ricky Nolasco to provide depth and experience to the rotation. So far, LeBlanc and Nolasco are a combined 0-4 with a 4.94 earned run average. Slowey is 0-2, but with a much more respectable 2.04 earned run average. In their defense, the rotation is not getting very much run support. The Miami offense has scored a MLB low 23 runs, averaging a dismal 1.8 runs per game.
The one bright spot so far in the rotation has been rookie Jose Fernandez who has yet to record a decision this season. Through his first two starts, Fernandez has allowed only one run in 11 innings while striking out 11 and walking only three. If the offense can get their act together, this rotation might be able to relax on the mound and provide better results; but until then, they will continue to be the worst rotation in the National League East.
4. New York Mets
Mets’ fans have been pleasantly surprised through the first two weeks of the season. Not many people expected the pitching staff to be so effective after trading the 2012 National League Cy-Young Award winner R.A. Dickey. The staff’s success is due largely in part to the offense, which has scored 69 runs this season, good for third in the majors. Dillon Gee and Jeremy Hefner are a combined 0-4 with a 6.38 earned run average this season and neither have a full season with an earned run average under four, so don’t expect those to numbers to improve too much.
Sixth year man, Jon Niese, has notched two wins so far this season, but with a lack-luster earned run average of 3.57 and 5:4 strikeout to walk ratio. The main reason for his two wins is that the Mets’ offense has given him an average of over 11 runs per game in his starts. Second year up-and-comer Matt Harvey has been the pride and joy of the Mets’ rotation so far this season. Through three starts, Harvey has given up only two runs in 22 innings pitched (an earned run average of only 0.82) and earned a win in all three games. If Harvey and Niese continue to pitch well and the Mets’ offense stays consistent, this rotation has a chance to pitch the Mets into a Wild Card spot.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies’ ace Roy Halladay had a disastrous first week of the season, getting knocked around by division foes Atlanta and New York (Mets) for five and seven runs respectively. Luckily for Phillies’ fans though, Halliday looked to be in mid-season form in his last start against the Marlins, going eight innings and only allowing one run to pick up his first win of the season. Cole Hamels is also off to a rough start, going 0-3 with a 7.56 earned run average. However, he did look better in his third start of the year, also against the Marlins, pitching six strong innings while only surrendering one run.
A pleasant surprise this year has been offseason acquisition from the Washington Nationals, John Lannan. Listed as the team’s number five starter, Lannan has accrued a 2-0 record while pitching like a number two or three. Veteran Cliff Lee has looked fantastic in his three starts this season. He has given up only four earned runs in 23.2 innings while notching two wins and compiling an incredible 18 strikeouts to only one walk. The Phillies’ starting rotation will earn a combined 72.5 million dollars this season, but they sure aren’t pitching like it so far.
2. Washington Nationals
During the offseason, many baseball analysts ventured that the Washington Nationals would have one of the best starting rotations in baseball. So far they have lived up to expectations, with the exception of offseason acquisition, Dan Haren. Through 13.1 innings this season, Haren has surrendered 12 earned runs. Expect him to bounce back though, as his career numbers suggest this is nothing more than an early season adjustment period. Both Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez have pitched well in two out of their three starts. Strasburg is coming off a season shortened by an inning restriction, but has responded nicely this season, aside from two innings against the Cincinnati Reds where he gave up three runs in each. Gonzalez was roughed up by the Atlanta Braves in his third start, surrendering seven earned runs in five innings. His earned run average sits at 4.50 after three starts, but look for that to go down as the season progresses.
Ross Detwiler has been superb, allowing only one run in 13 innings. However, he hasn’t earned a decision thus far, as the Nationals bullpen has faltered in each of his starts. Rounding out the Nationals rotation is fifth year starter Jordan Zimmermann. He has been the Nationals most consistent starter, accruing a 2.45 earned run average through 22 innings pitched; good enough for a 3-0 record. The rotation in Washington is a great asset and will help the Nationals contend for a National League East pennant.
1. Atlanta Braves
Coming off a heart breaking loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Wild Card game last season, the Atlanta Braves are off to a 12-1 start, largely due to their starting pitching. The rotation has a combined 2.06 earned run average and an opponent batting average of .208; both of which are the best in the National League. The only pitcher not pulling his own weight is second year man, Julio Teheran. He has compiled an earned run average of 7.36 so far this season, but keep in mind he will likely be replaced by Brandon Beachy when he returns from a stint on the disabled list. Veteran Paul Maholm has been perfect so far this season. In three starts, he is 3-0 with a 0.00 earned run average through 20.1 innings pitched. He is off to an amazing start, but don’t expect him to sustain numbers like that, as he does sport a career earned run average of 4.20.
Mike Minor is off to a similar start, only having allowed one earned run in two starts, notching two wins along the way. Since moving from the bullpen to the rotation after the All-Star break last year, Kris Medlen has enjoyed a record of 11-2 with an earned run average of 1.54. He hasn’t showed any signs of letting up so far this season. The Braves’ rotation is completed by 37-year-old Tim Hudson. It feels as if Hudson will be overshadowed this year by the rest of the Braves’ rotation, but he will be a solid contributor nonetheless. Hudson is off to a 2-0 start with a 2.50 earned run average.
Wrap Up
It was a struggle to rank the top three rotations in the National League East. I searched high and low for a reason that the Atlanta Braves should not occupy the number one spot, but it just wasn’t there. The way the Braves’ offense is playing lets the starting pitchers feel loose and relaxed while on the hill. The Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies have the big name pitchers, but to this point they have been out performed. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if by the All-Star break the numbers are a lot closer than they are now. I do believe the Mets have a chance to make the playoffs, but Niese and Harvey have to sustain their success throughout the season; something they haven’t proven they can do. Finally, nobody expected the Miami Marlins to contend this year after the roster moves they made in the offseason. I don’t think they have the worst rotation in all of baseball, but they are sitting in the basement of the National League East.