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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 21, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Lohse (26) pitches against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Lohse (26) pitches against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Central. Milwaukee Brewers. 23. player. 76. <p><strong>Projected Starting Rotation:</strong></p> <ul> <li>RHP Kyle Lohse (13-9, 3.54 ERA, 31 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Matt Garza (8-8, 3.64 ERA, 27 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Wily Peralta (17-11, 3.53 ERA, 32 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Jimmy Nelson (2-9, 4.93 ERA, 14 G, 12 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Mike Fiers (6-5, 2.13 ERA, 14 G, 10 GS in 2014)</li> </ul>. 5th

With Yovani Gallardo being shipped to Texas this offseason, Kyle Lohse will get the nod on Opening Day for the Brewers. It will be the third Opening Day start for the 36-year old right-hander, who started the season for the Cardinals in 2008 and 2012.

Matt Garza was solid again in 2014 and posted an ERA under 4.00 for the eighth consecutive season. However, Garza saw his strikeout numbers dip from 7.9 per nine innings in 2013 to 6.9 last year. After working hard on his slider during Spring Training, Garza expects those numbers to rise again towards his career average of 7.5.

Wily Peralta put up very similar numbers to Garza and is a solid No. 3 starter. He’ll be followed by Jimmy Nelson and Mike Fiers. Tyler Thornburg and Michael Blazek both started in the spring, but are better fits in the pen. Tyler Jungmann, Ariel Pena and Johnny Hellweg are potential options later in the season.

The reason the Brewers aren’t ranked higher is that while Lohse and Garza have had very good careers, both are injury risks and also capable of seeing a down year. Also, Peralta, Nelson and Fiers all have potential, but none are likely to emerge as a staff ace or even a top of the order starter. Plus, there are few capable options in the bullpen or Triple-A should one of the five falter or need a stint on the DL.

Next: 22. Toronto Blue Jays

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