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MLB: Ranking the top 10 SP duos in 2016

By Greg Goldstein

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pitchers including Noah Syndergaard (middle) and Jacob deGrom (right) walk to the dugout before game five of the World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pitchers including Noah Syndergaard (middle) and Jacob deGrom (right) walk to the dugout before game five of the World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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TEX – Hamels/Darvish

Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Hamels 2016 stats: 57.1 IP, 5-0, 2.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 62 K

Darvish 2016 stats: N/A (Injured)

Technically, the Rangers top of the rotation starting pitchers are not eligible for this list because Yu Darvish has been on the shelf for a little more than a season, however with the foreign-born ace returning soon, Texas is set to have one of the better starting pitching combos in MLB. 

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Rangers vs. Twins prediction and odds for Sunday, Aug. 27 (Texas gets the job done)
Rangers vs. Twins prediction and odds for Sunday, Aug. 27 (Texas gets the job done) /

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    • Cole Hamels has put up his normal production for the most part this season, even though he has been a hit a little harder in recent outings. At 32-years-old, the veteran left-hander still possesses great stuff and is getting a lot of swings and misses this season, which is an encouraging sign for the him.

    Hamels is letting more free passes than he has in past seasons which has certainly raised his FIP and WHIP in 2016. However, Hamels has still gotten the desired results and should continue being a reliable top of the rotation starter for the Rangers.

    Getting Darvish back in the fold will give the club further dominance in their rotation. The 29-year-old is more of a power pitcher than Hamels and the argument could be made that he is actually the better of the two when fully healthy.

    This is evident by his dominant seasons in 2013 and 2014, when he had ERA’s in the high 2.00’s to low 3.00’s and a K/9 rate above 10.0. If he can round into form quickly off his injury, Texas should have one of the more proven and dominant starting pitching combos in the major leagues.

    Next: Number 10

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