Which team has the best starting rotation in baseball?

Question

Someone else asked this question and it seems that most people chose the Cubs or the Angels. I thought I would throw some stats out there to help make the decision a little easier.

Cubs

Zambrano 12-4, 2.76 ERA, 146.2 IP, 98 K

Dempster 12-5, 2.93 ERA, 150.2 IP, 133 K

Lilly 11-6, 4.35 ERA, 140.2 IP, 129 K

Marquis 7-7, 4.73 ERA, 123.2 IP, 67 K

Harden (including A's) 6-2, 2.22 ERA, 107.0 IP, 139 K

(as a Cub only) 1-1, 2.10 ERA, 30.0 IP, 47 K

Angels

John Lackey 9-2, 3.10 ERA, 107.1 IP, 85 K

Joe Saunders 14-5, 3.03 ERA, 145.2 IP, 70 K

Ervin Santana 13-5, 3.45 ERA, 156.1 IP, 150 K

Jared Weaver 9-9, 4.37 ERA, 145.0 IP, 101 K

Jon Garland 10-7, 4.28 ERA, 145.0 IP, 64 K

Why do you think the team you chose is the better starting rotation?

Answer 1

the Cub's is better. They have 2 aces in Zambrano and Harden and Dempster is doing amazing as a starter but he has way over 1/2 his starts at home.

Angel's is a more balanced rotation in my opinion.

Answer 2

Angels because of the wins and era.

Answer 3

The Angels and Cubs are great choices but you need to consider the D-Backs with Webb, Haren, Davis and Randy Johnson...that's a tough 4-some...and if you're taking offense into account you have to throw in the Red Sox who play in the AL East and put up the following:

Beckett: 10-8, 4.08 ERA, 139 IP, 134 K

Dice: 12-2, 3.04 ERA, 106 IP, 94 K

Lester: 10-3, 3.14 ERA, 146 IP, 101 K

Wake: 6-8, 3.77 ERA, 141 IP, 92 K

When Beckett has the worst ERA among your top 4, you're doing ok...

Answer 4

definitely the angels. they also have kelvim escobar even though he wont be back til next year. they have way more current post-season experience but even more important they maintain a solid ERA and they can actually get consistent run support to back them up. doesn't matter how good your ERA is look at the win-loss. you cant win if your team doesnt score. not to mention the angels can transition from starter to LRP to MRP to setup to closer better than any other team.  

Answer 5

Angels

Answer 6

The NLs a Joke the angles, look at the AL teams Red Sox, Yankees, Detroit, Rays, the rangers, all of those have the best lineups in the majors  

Answer 7

I'll say the Cubs.

1. Cubs (Harden, Zambrano, Dempster)

2. Angels (Lackey, Saunders, Santana)

3. Brewers (Sabathia, Sheets, Parra)

Answer 8

The Cubs easily have the best rotation.  Having Marquis as a number 5 pitcher is a dream for most teams.  

Answer 9

well the cubs top 3 starters are a little better than the angels top 3 starters, but the angels last 2 are a little better than the cubs last 2. jeez this is pretty tough. Its a toss up, but i think i would take the cubs only because of the top 3 starters are better than the angels top 3.

Answer 10

Top to bottom I would say the Angels, however, in my opinion, win, loss and era at the end of the day is only good in a Cy Young race.  What I would look at is, who is the toughest in a 5 or 7 game series come October? (really all that matters)  Its not the Angels, year after year their pitching falls apart in the playoffs.  I would have to say the Red Sox.  Josh Beckett is lights out in October, he has 2 WS under his belt already.  Dice K Matsuzaka has already proven he can play in the fall while posting incredible numbers this year.  Then you have John Lester, possibly the best lefty starter in the AL, had the clinching win in the WS last year.  In a 7 game series, all you need is 2 guys who can guarantee you 2 wins each.  Out of all the rotations out there, the sox are the only ones I see with that, there are some with great numbers but are not proven down the stretch.

Answer 11

CUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!

look at the division the cubs are in!

Angels only have the rangers that can hit!

The stats make the Angels look better but honestly i think the cubs got a better one. Cubs have a playoff ready rotaion

Answer 12

Cubs.

Answer 13

This is a tough comparision the angels have two guys that I haven't bought into yet Santana and Saunders same with the Cubs Harden and Dempster. But in the end my vote goes to the Cubs. Why. because there top 3 Harden, Zambrano and Dempster are better than Santan Saunders and Lackey. The back  2 is really a toss up Garland and Weaver both can be lights out then the next inning they blow up same for Marquis and Lilly so I would rather have the cubs rotation.

Honorable mentions for good rotation: Brewers and sort of Red Sox

Answer 14

I would take the Angels rotation based on ability and past track record. I don't trust Dempster and Harden is excellent when healthy, but he is always hurt.