MLB: Top Four Starting Pitcher Trios Heading into 2017
By Anthony Sosa
It’s hard for a team to win a championship without good starting pitchers. Here are four MLB teams with a trio of top starters.
Almost every MLB team has a defined ace to lead its staff. What makes a good team better, though? Having multiple good pitchers to rely on.
A great bullpen is also key to winning, but a strong staff can carry a team to the World Series alone. Look at the defending world champion Chicago Cubs last season. They had two of their starters battle for the NL Cy Young award.
When a team only has one or two good starters, it puts a burden on them. A team relies on those pitchers to succeed all season. And if they start to struggle, there are no other guys who can step up for them. Now with three or more good starters, a team and the individual pitchers can pitch without stress. If one struggles, other pitchers can carry the load for the team.
Sure, offense plays a big factor for a team. But without good starting pitchers, a team is constantly playing from behind. That puts a lot of pressure on the offense. A combination of good offense and a solid rotation usually turns in positive results.
Good starting pitching can carry a team without a great offense, but the opposite isn’t the case. A good offense can rarely carry a below-average pitching staff.
Let’s take a look at four teams with three solid pitchers at the top of their rotation.