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Which American League team has the best starting rotation?

By Matt Graves

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Tyler Glasnow #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during Game 5 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Houston advances with a 6-1 win. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Tyler Glasnow #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during Game 5 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Houston advances with a 6-1 win. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /

5. Texas Rangers

Projected rotation:

  1. Mike Minor
  2. Lance Lynn
  3. Corey Kluber
  4. Kyle Gibson
  5. Jordan Lyles

The Texas Rangers bought low on Corey Kluber after his injury-plagued 2019 season. They went out and signed Kyle Gibson, a year removed from posting a 3.62 ERA with Minnesota. Combine that to the similar numbers the Rangers got from Mike Minor (3.59 ERA), and Lance Lynn (3.67 ERA.)

Now, put all of those starters in one rotation, and you have yourself top-flight starting five. There isn’t a guarantee the Rangers will have one of the best rotations, but you have to respect the approach they took.

4. Houston Astros

Projected rotation:

  1. Justin Verlander
  2. Zack Greinke
  3. Lance McCullers, Jr.
  4. José Urquidy
  5. Brad Peacock

The Houston Astros belong in the top five. But with Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley gone, there are some question marks throughout the Astros starting five. Their rotation is anchored by 37-year old Justin Verlander and 36-year old Zack Greinke. Lance McCullers Jr. could see a limited workload in his return from Tommy John Surgery.

José Urquidy was impressive in the World Series, though he only has 41 innings of MLB experience. The fifth rotation spot will likely go to Brad Peacock, but it seems it’ll be up for grabs. Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley could become the x-factor to fill the final rotation spot.

If Verlander and Greinke perform at their usual level, McCullers returns to form, and Urquidy can find a way to pitch as he did in the postseason, this is still a steady rotation.

3. Cleveland Indians

Projected rotation:

  1. Shane Bieber
  2. Mike Clevinger
  3. Carlos Carrasco
  4. Aaron Civale
  5. Zach Plesac

The fact that Cleveland traded away both Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer in a five-month span and make the top five is impressive. There were some bumps and bruises back in Spring Training 1.0 when Mike Clevinger had left knee surgery, and Carlos Carassco had right elbow inflammation.

However, Carrasco finished fourth in the CY Young race in 2017. Shane Bieber finished fourth in the voting in 2019. Clevinger has yet to receive any votes, but he has posted stable ERAs over the last three years (3.11 ERA, 3,02 ERA, 2.71 ERA.)

Cleveland will be in a “hope for the best” situation of Adam Plutko, Zach Plesac, and Jefry Rodriguez.

The one thing that hurts Cleveland is not having an immediate star waiting in the minors to help the rotation if they falter.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

Projected rotation:

  1. Charlie Morton
  2. Blake Snell
  3. Tyler Glasnow
  4. Ryan Yarbrough
  5. Yonny Chirinos

Tampa Bay unleashed the opener in the majors, but they don’t have much of a need for that concept. The Rays rotation has as much potential as any in the AL.

Charlie Morton brought his veteran experience to the Rays rotation in 2019. Morton would finish third in AL Cy Young Award voting. Behind him is Blake Snell, the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner. Tyler Glasnow is listed as the No.3 starter at the moment, but he does have the potential to become an ace.

Ryan Yarbrough posted a respectable while following the opener the past two seasons, who’s likely to serve as a starter in this shortened season. Both Yarborough and Yonny Chirinos at serviceable pitchers, and it won’t be long before Brendan McKay returns to take one of those spots.

1. New York Yankees

Projected rotation:

  1. Gerrit Cole
  2. Masahiro Tanaka
  3. James Paxton
  4. J.A. Happ
  5. Jordan Montgomery

Losing Luis Severino for the 2020 season is a severe blow. However, the New York Yankees got  much-needed depth to their rotation by signing Gerrit Cole. Their rotation looks strong with Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, J.A. Happ and Jordan Montgomery.

It’s safe to say that Cole is the ace in the Yankee rotation. He’s no longer the co-ace he once was in Houston. Cole has racked up 602 strikeouts with a 2.68 ERA and 412.2 IP over the last two seasons as an Astro. Cole’s addition was needed, and it’s an addition to an already deep rotation that raises the floor for this group. A great deal, especially with Severino on the shelf.

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