MLB Power Rankings: Which pitching rotation is the best in baseball?
By Phil Akre
29. Baltimore Orioles
In most rankings, you’ll find the Orioles near the bottom. They’re just about last in everything.
One of the main reasons behind the teams awful season is its starting rotation. On paper, this rotation should be good enough to get by.
On one hand, you have Dylan Bundy, the former top prospect, as the teams No. 1. However, he’s crafted a 4.46 ERA this season. He’s allowed 16 long ball’s in 68.2 innings pitched. But, he’s K’d 83 in that span.
Andrew Cashner represents the team No. 2, but at 31 year’s old, he still has yet to go deep into games. He averages about five innings per start and has allowed 3+ earned runs in eight of his eleven starts.
Behind Cashner, Kevin Gausman has performed admirably amongst the bunch. His 4.32 ERA is the best of the rotation. He’s allowed two earned runs or less in seven of his eleven starts.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the teams rotation lies in Alex Cobb. The former Tampa Bay Ray has been absolutely shelled this season.
Altogether he has a 6.80 ERA with a 1.813 WHIP. In the month of May alone, opponents hit an even .300 off him.
Things haven’t gotten any easier, as Chris Tillman was placed on the disabled list on May, 11th. It’s not like it was a huge blow, though. Before going down with the injury, Tillman’s numbers looked like this.
- 1-5
- 10.46 ERA
- 2.213 WHIP
- -1.1 WAR
The team doesn’t have any help waiting in the minors. The team will (most likely) be selling come July. Woof.