Well... this is encouraging... but is it sustainable? https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2018/...tation-dominance-gerrit-cole-justin-verlander The Entire Astros Rotation Deserves the Cy Young Houston won the 2017 World Series thanks to a record-setting offense. So far, the Astros repeat bid has hung on a group of starting pitchers producing unprecedented numbers. But a different segment of Houston’s roster is compensating for the offensive regression, and the Astros’ rotation is thriving. Recent MLB seasons featured pitching staffs that deserved some level of “best ever” recognition: The 2017 Indians had the best-ever group of pitchers by FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement; the 2016 Cubs had the best rotation since the deadball era by park- and league-adjusted ERA; the 2011 Phillies had the best rotation ever by park- and league-adjusted FIP. The 2018 Astros, so far, are on pace to eclipse all of those groups. Houston’s starters are pitching like the newest, and most superior, best rotation ever.
I think Clemens Pettitte and oswalt were pretty good so were Randy Johnson, Shane Reynolds, Hampton, and Lima.
My comment was knocking the offense, not the rotation. Knepper, Sutton, Ruhle, and Niekro ('81) are also appalled.
My comment referenced Ryan's bad W/L with otherwise good stats. Too bad Cy Young voters look at W/L. Ryan and his 8-16 record was a worthy candidate. Led the NL in Ks and ERA.
As much as I love what Brandon Backe did for this franchise, but our 4-7 on our starting pitcher depth chart is unprecedented in the history of the franchise. McCullers, Keuchel, Peacock, McHugh could serve as a #2 starter on any other team right now... and our depth after McHugh/Peacock is not horrific like it was last year where Dayan Diaz had to start.
Games Started 1987 Astros: Scott, Ryan, Darwin, Knepper, Deshaies, M. Hernandez, Heathcock, Mallicoat 1998 Astros: Reynolds, Lima, Hampton, Bregman, R. Johnson, Schourek, Halama, Elarton 2004 Astros (probably best if everyone stayed healthy...): Oswalt, Clemens, Redding, Munro, W. Miller, Pettitte, Backe, C. Hernandez, Duckworth, Griffiths, J. Fernandez 2005 Astros: Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Backe, W. Rodriguez, Astacio, Duckworth ...for comparison... 1995 Atlanta Braves: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Steve Avery, Kent Mercker, Jason Schmidt, Matt Murray
Really great article here... All about the greatness of the starting rotation. Found the part where JV is talking about Cole coming over and having everything a** backwards pretty interesting. Here's part 1 of the article.
Not this dominant with all five starters being in or near the Top 25 of every major category that matters. Astros have to find another OF at the deadline. I’m ok with Marwin as the primary DH, being the fourth OF, fifth IF and maybe Kyle Tucker could also be a July-August call-up. Evan Gattis and Fisher or Marisnick would have to be included in deal(s)
If the question was the best trio ever, It's be tough to overshadow clemens, andy and roy-o. But best rotation, definitely this one. At least through April =) I developed a true method to tell era, called the "true dat- ERA" basically taking out the one fml performance by the pitcher where everything goes haywire. McCullers era would be, 2.3 if not for that crazy minny game in Siberia. Dallas' 2.86 if not for that home game against the A's when he had perfect control and ready to get out the inning when the shift and ump happened. It's something special we're witnessing. I do expect them to hit bumps in a long season but none of them should be given up on just yet, mostly speaking about LMc and Dallas.
Another piece on the Astros' dominant rotation (this time from ESPN). Debating whether or not the Astros rotation is the best ever. Let's just say that if they keep on this pace (however unlikely that may be) they will definitely have the best rotation of all time.
Funny I completely forgot about shourek and Bergman. Carlos Hernandez had those first 17 scoreless innings and then injuries killed his career. The most dominating regular season pitcher we ever had was Randy Johnson in his short stint here. Followed very closely by that JR Richard stretch in 79/80, mike scott 1986, verlander last year (and so far) and Garrett Cole now. I leave off Clemens because he was juicing. Oswalt was great for 7 years or so but not quite at that level. Still love Roy O and he probably makes my all time astro rotation.
