MLB Power Rankings: Which pitching rotation is the best in baseball?
By Phil Akre
2. Washington Nationals
Any rotation that features a generational talent like Max Scherzer is going to find itself towards the top.
‘Mad Max’ has been nothing short of dominant in the past few years, and this year has been the same. He’s pitching towards his third consecutive Cy Young award with a 1.92 ERA, 13.6 K/9 and 206 ERA+. Additionally, he’s walked just 19 batters in 79.2 innings of work.
The supporting cast behind him has done its share of work, too.
Stephen Strasburg, a No.1 on nearly any other team, has compiled a 3.13 ERA to go along with a 1.056 WHIP. He’s striking out batters at a rate of 10.4 K/9. Pretty darn good for a number two starter.
As for Gio Gonzalez, he’s picked up right where he left off last season. The veteran ended 2017 with a career best 2.96 ERA and has crafted a sterling mark of 2.10 this season. His strikeout to walk ratio has remained the same, but he’s allowing a just under eight hits a game.
In a rotation full of power arms and big names, Tanner Roark continues to produce solid numbers. The righty has put together a 3.17 ERA and a sparkling 0.995 WHIP. He’s thrown at least seven innings in six of his ten starts, providing excellent length.
No. 5 starter Jeremy Hellickson has been a revelation at the bottom, with a 2.30 ERA in eight starts.
Simply, the Nats are stacked.