MLB

Ranking The Top 10 Pitching Rotations Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

Ranking The Top 10 Pitching Rotations Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

Division Series - Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers - Game Three
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As Madison Bumgarner showed last October, great pitching can win championships. These 10 teams have the best rotations heading into the 2015 season, and can look forward to contending all season long.

10. Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Introduce Jon Lester
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10. Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Introduce Jon Lester
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Projected Rotation:
Jon Lester
Jake Arrieta
Jason Hammel
Kyle Hendricks
Travis Wood

Obviously, the addition of Lester did wonders for the Cubs. They also managed to bring back Jason Hammel, and all of a sudden have a pretty deep rotation.

9. Detroit Tigers

Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers
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9. Detroit Tigers

Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers
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Projected Rotation:
David Price
Justin Verlander
Anibal Sanchez
Shane Greene
Alfredo Simon

The Tigers would've been in the top five last season, but they lost Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello this offseason. Nonetheless, they still have a very deep rotation with some big names at the top.

8. Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox v New York Yankees
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8. Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox v New York Yankees
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Projected Rotation:
Chris Sale
Jeff Samardzija
Jose Quintana
Hector Noesi
John Danks

The White Sox added Jeff Samardzija to the fold to give them one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball. However, other than Quintana, there aren't many other decent options in this rotation.

7. Miami Marlins

Los Angeles Dodgers v Miami Marlins
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7. Miami Marlins

Los Angeles Dodgers v Miami Marlins
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Projected Rotation:
Jose Fernandez (when he returns from Tommy John)
Mat Latos
Henderson Alvarez
Jarred Cosart
Dan Haren

Even though Fernandez probably won't be back right away, the Marlins still have a top rotation. A 1-2 of Fernandez and Latos is scary, and there's a lot of upside late in this rotation.

6. Seattle Mariners

Baltimore Orioles v Seattle Mariners
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6. Seattle Mariners

Baltimore Orioles v Seattle Mariners
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Projected Rotation:
Felix Hernandez
Hisashi Iwakuma
James Paxton
Taijuan Walker
Roenis Elias

If Walker comes into his own this season, the Mariners could have one of the best rotations in the game. Even if he doesn't, having King Felix and Iwakuma at the top is a huge plus.

5. San Diego Padres

Andrew Cashner
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5. San Diego Padres

Andrew Cashner
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Projected Rotation:
Andrew Cashner
Tyson Ross
Ian Kennedy
Odrisamer Despaigne
Robbie Erlin

This San Diego rotation is among the deepest in baseball with Cashner, Ross and Kennedy headlining a great top of the rotation. With an improved lineup, the Padres should be contenders in 2015.

4. San Francisco Giants

World Series - San Francisco Giants v Kansas City Royals - Game Seven
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4. San Francisco Giants

World Series - San Francisco Giants v Kansas City Royals - Game Seven
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Projected Rotation:
Madison Bumgarner
Tim Hudson
Matt Cain
Jake Peavy
Tim Lincecum

The Giants could use another arm for depth, but Bumgarner, a healthy Cain and Peavy make up a pretty nice bunch. If Hudson doesn't considerably drop off as he ages further, this could be a dangerous rotation.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals v Washington Nationals
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3. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals v Washington Nationals
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Projected Rotation:
Adam Wainwright
Lance Lynn
John Lackey
Michael Wacha
Marco Gonzales

The Cardinals always produce plenty of pitching talent, and they have a nice mix of veterans and young guys this season. Gonzales already has one of the best changeups in the game, and the rest of the guys have done it at the big league level.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers v Colorado Rockies
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2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers v Colorado Rockies
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Projected Rotation:
Clayton Kershaw
Zack Greinke
Hyun-jin Ryu
Brandon McCarty
Brett Anderson

On top of having two aces, the Dodgers also have three very good pitchers at the back end. If Kershaw can figure out his playoff woes, this Dodgers team is going to be a tough out come October.

1. Washington Nationals

Cincinnati Reds v Washington Nationals
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1. Washington Nationals

Cincinnati Reds v Washington Nationals
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Projected Rotation:
Max Scherzer
Jordan Zimmermann
Stephen Strasburg
Gio Gonzalez
Doug Fister

This Nationals' rotation is absolutely lethal. They have two aces, as well as three No. 2 quality pitchers. If everyone stays healthy, the Nationals have to be the team to beat in the NL because of their deadly rotation.

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