03-17-2023, 12:23 AM
I was going to make a similar comment about the 2016 pitching staff. As noted, elite defense absolutely helped with run prevention, which of course makes a pitching staff look better. But that 2016 starting rotation was insanely good.
Lester finished 2nd in Cy Young voting and Hendricks finished 3rd. Plus, Hendricks led the league in ERA. Not to mention, Arrieta finished 9th in Cy Young voting. *Three starting pitchers in the Cy Young top 10.* Lackey won 11 games with a 3.35 ERA and Hammel won 15 games with a 3.83 ERA *and didn't even make the playoff roster.*
It's unlikely we'll ever see a starting rotation like that again in our lifetimes.
The current pitching staff might have more organizational depth, but there isn't anything close to that 1-2-3 punch. Stroman, who is likely our #1 starter, is probably the #5 starter in the 2016 rotation.
Lester finished 2nd in Cy Young voting and Hendricks finished 3rd. Plus, Hendricks led the league in ERA. Not to mention, Arrieta finished 9th in Cy Young voting. *Three starting pitchers in the Cy Young top 10.* Lackey won 11 games with a 3.35 ERA and Hammel won 15 games with a 3.83 ERA *and didn't even make the playoff roster.*
It's unlikely we'll ever see a starting rotation like that again in our lifetimes.
The current pitching staff might have more organizational depth, but there isn't anything close to that 1-2-3 punch. Stroman, who is likely our #1 starter, is probably the #5 starter in the 2016 rotation.