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MLB: Power Ranking All 30 Major League Starting Rotations

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Feb 19, 2014; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) chats with the pitchers including Doug Fister (58) (in blue) in spring training action at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2014; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) chats with the pitchers including Doug Fister (58) (in blue) in spring training action at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) pitches in-between innings against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) pitches in-between innings against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Central. Chicago Cubs. 15. player. 9. <p><strong>Projected Starting Rotation:</strong></p> <ul> <li>LHP Jon Lester (16-11, 2.46 ERA, 32 GS combined with Boston and Oakland in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Jake Arrieta (10-5, 2.53 ERA, 25 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Jason Hammel (10-11, 3.47 ERA, 30 G, 29 GS combined with the Cubs and Oakland in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Kyle Hendricks (7-2, 2.46 ERA, 13 GS in 2014)</li> <li>LHP Travis Wood 8-13, 5.03 ERA, 31 GS in 2014)</li> </ul>. 3rd

Theo Epstein turned to a familiar face to be the new ace of the playoff-hopeful Chicago Cubs in 2015. After spending nine seasons with the Boston Red Sox and the last half of 2014 with the Oakland A’s, Jon Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract with Epstein’s club.

The three-time All-Star was better than ever last year, but suffered from a tired arm this spring. In three Cactus League starts, Lester posted a 6.48 ERA allowed opponents to hit .333 in just 8.1 innings – but he’s ready to take the mound on Opening Night for his new club.

With Lester atop the rotation, Jake Arrieta can settle into the less stressful No. 2 spot. After failing to meet expectations as a big time prospect in Baltimore, the 29-year old found a home in Chicago late in the 2013 season and excelled for the Cubs in 2014.

Jason Hammel was a member of the Cubs’ rotation in 2014 but was traded to Oakland at the deadline after posting a 2.98 ERA in 108.2 innings across 17 starts. Less successful with the A’s, the 32-year old right-hander signed a two-year free agent deal to return.

At the back end of the rotation, Kyle Hendricks aims to build on a strong debut season, followed by lefty Travis Wood. One of the top hitting pitchers in the game (he’s got nine career home runs with three in each of the last two seasons), Wood hopes to bounce back on the mound following his worst performance in five big league seasons. Edwin Jackson is the sixth option and is expected to begin the season in the bullpen.

Next: 14. Kansas City Royals

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