Best Rotation for 2018

[CoachAF]

A comment in the Cole Trade thread sparked a thought: What is the best rotation in baseball??  
 
IMO, it is between the Nationals and the Astros. Someone else threw out the Indians and Yankees (eventually). So to get the discussion going, I will post some stats for response. Using a self-made WAR calculator, I will take projections for 2018 for each of the 5 projected SP for each team. I know WAR is not the end-all, be-all of evaluators, but it is a quick,easy way to draw initial comparisons. 
 
Astros:         22 total
Verlander           6.0 
Keuchel             5.6
Cole                   3.7
McCullers          3.5
Morton               3.2
 
Nationals:     25.2    total
Scherzer        8.1
Strasburg       5.9
Gonzalez       4.7
Roark             4.5
Cole               2.0
 
Yankees:            19.1 total
Severino            5.5
Gray                  3.2
Tanaka               3.7
Montgomery      3.4
Sabathia            3.3
 
Indians:            21.1 total
Kluber         7.7
Carrasco     6.2
Bauer          2.9
Salazar       2.6
Tomlin         1.7
 
 
So a simple WAR ranking would have them: 
 
1) Nationals
2) Astros
3) Indians
4) Yankees
 
Just as a reference, I project Darvish to have a 3.9 WAR; Arrieta to have a 4.5 WAR; Lynn to have a 3.5 WAR. 
 
So whose rotation do you think is best?? Also feel free to suggest others. I was just going off what was mentioned in the other thread.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Projections are meaningless. War is calculated differently by different sites so I hate using it.

I'd say it's a push between Astros/Nats.

 

[elcheato]

Assuming some type of natural progression in the young power arms in Cleveland (Bauer, Salazar and Clevinger), the Indians have the best rotation.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I'd rather see them prove it. It's very possible that after this season that will be the case.

For all we know Harvey bounces back in a contract year, Syndergaard and deGrom are healthy and excellent and the Mets jump in to the top 5. But I don't like judging based on ifs

 

[bosoxlover12]

1. Porcello
2. Steven Wright
3. Sale
4. Price
5. Erod
 
cant be beat

 

[elcheato]

I'd rather see them prove it. It's very possible that after this season that will be the case.

For all we know Harvey bounces back in a contract year, Syndergaard and deGrom are healthy and excellent and the Mets jump in to the top 5. But I don't like judging based on ifs

Last year the Indians starters were #2 in ERA, #1 in BB, #1 in SO, #3 in BAA, #2 in OBP, #3 in SLG, #3 in OPS, #2 in WHIP, #1 in WAR (by over 4 wins), #1 in FIP, #1 in xFIP, 
 
They did prove it, and they're going to get better 

 

[CoachAF]

Last year the Indians starters were #2 in ERA, #1 in BB, #1 in SO, #3 in BAA, #2 in OBP, #3 in SLG, #3 in OPS, #2 in WHIP, #1 in WAR (by over 4 wins), #1 in FIP, #1 in xFIP, 
 
They did prove it, and they're going to get better 

That was entirely driven by the amazingness of Kluber and Carrasco. Bauer was pretty much the same exact pitcher hes always been, but he struck out more guys than normal. Salazar actually took a small step backwards. He was a bit unlucky, but I dont think hell turn out better than a solid middle of the rotation guy. They were #1 in walks because Tomlin walks nobody. I think he had like 15 walks last year total. Staying around the plate like he does, hes gonna get killed. Indians have the best 1-2 punch, but fall off quickly after that.

 

[CoachAF]

If Roark bounces back and has a year like many expected in 2017, then the Nats could be scary good.

 

[CoachAF]

I'd rather see them prove it. It's very possible that after this season that will be the case.

For all we know Harvey bounces back in a contract year, Syndergaard and deGrom are healthy and excellent and the Mets jump in to the top 5. But I don't like judging based on ifs

The Mets are a good dark horse candidate, but the health is key. I wouldnt hold my breath on Harvey

 

[CoachAF]

1. Porcello
2. Steven Wright
3. Sale
4. Price
5. Erod
 
cant be beat

What does Price come back and do??? Looked great in the pen last year but was a mess for most the season. Also, Pomeranz is in their 5 isnt he???

 

[Teagz]

1. Mike Fulmer
2. Jordan Zimmerman
3. Daniel Norris
4. Matt Boyd
5. Mike Fiers
 
 
unhittable

 

[CameronCrazy06]

1. Porcello
2. Steven Wright
3. Sale
4. Price
5. Erod
 
cant be beat

Needs more Fister

 

[PWNdroia]

I don't think there is any way you can project it. Guys have career years, and injuries factor other guys out. Look at the 2016 Porcello. He's nothing like his career indicates. And if David Price comes back, him and Sale are likely the best 1 2 in baseball. Projections may give you an idea, but I highly doubt they'll be accurate.

 

[brett05]

Right now, it's the Nats with the Astros closely nipping on their heals for 2018

 

[PWNdroia]

Right now, it's the Nats with the Astros closely nipping on their heals for 2018

The Nats.. ha ha.  Let's see when they get to round 1 of the playoffs. 

 

[Mexi]

Kershaw
Hill
Wood
Maeda
Ryu
Buehler
Urias
Stewart
Stripling

 

[PWNdroia]

Kershaw
Hill
Wood
Maeda
Ryu
Buehler
Urias
Stewart
Stripling

Definitely not the Dodgers. Outside of Kershaw, I'm not sure who I would rely on. I like Rich Hill, but he's not a #2 pitcher and he's injured for half a year. He's not even full time in the rotation.

 

[CoachAF]

Kershaw
Hill
Wood
Maeda
Ryu
Buehler
Urias
Stewart
Stripling

Dodgers have good depth even after the trade. Still not at the top tho

 

[Mexi]

Definitely not the Dodgers. Outside of Kershaw, I'm not sure who I would rely on. I like Rich Hill, but he's not a #2 pitcher and he's injured for half a year. He's not even full time in the rotation.

this team won 104 games and darvish didn't really matter

Guys like hill and wood will not make 30 starts by design. Its all about depth. The days of a 5 man pure rotation are done. Inning eaters are gone.

I'll take them

 

[CoachAF]

this team won 104 games and darvish didn't really matter

Guys like hill and wood will not make 30 starts by design. Its all about depth. The days of a 5 man pure rotation are done. Inning eaters are gone.

I'll take them

Depth certainly matters. I also like the dodgers history of going out and adding pieces when necessary. What they start with is rarely what they finish with