The Rotation (2025):

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I was feeling a bit baseball content starved and so was listening to the Rates and Barrels podcast episode discussing the NL East even though I haven't played fantasy baseball since college.

For their Nats segment they said the entire rotation outside of Gore and maybe Herz was just a collection of 6th starters on a truly contending team. Despite what many of them showed last season I can't help but think that's a pretty accurate summary of the rotation as it currently stands.

I don't buy this, but I'm a bit of an optimist. Parker has always been called a good stuff guy. His problem has been the lack of command. HE took a big step forward on that last year. Take away his big issue, then I think you have more than a guy who is just an injury backfill on a contender. He's a lefty. I think adequate command he's somebody who could crack all but the 3 or so best rotations.

Just using the Fangraphs odds, 19 teams have > 25% odds of making the playoffs and 24 teams have > 19%. Certainly the former are all contenders going into the season, and likely the latter. Irvin may be just an innings eater, but could he crack half of those rotations? I think that's likely.

I could be OK with a Gore - Soroka - Williams - Parker - Irvin rotation. I think that would be middle 1/3 of rotations in terms of ERA and innings.

[nobleisthyname]

I don't buy this, but I'm a bit of an optimist. Parker has always been called a good stuff guy. His problem has been the lack of command. HE took a big step forward on that last year. Take away his big issue, then I think you have more than a guy who is just an injury backfill on a contender. He's a lefty. I think adequate command he's somebody who could crack all but the 3 or so best rotations.

Just using the Fangraphs odds, 19 teams have > 25% odds of making the playoffs and 24 teams have > 19%. Certainly the former are all contenders going into the season, and likely the latter. Irvin may be just an innings eater, but could he crack half of those rotations? I think that's likely.

I could be OK with a Gore - Soroka - Williams - Parker - Irvin rotation. I think that would be middle 1/3 of rotations in terms of ERA and innings.

I think they meant true World Series contenders, not just teams who were contending for the playoffs, but I can see this optimist take as well. Would be really cool to see Parker or Irvin be the next Roark.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think they meant true World Series contenders, not just teams who were contending for the playoffs, but I can see this optimist take as well. Would be really cool to see Parker or Irvin be the next Roark.

I almost don't buy there's an exclusive list of "true world series contenders " at this point. Sure, you have to say the Dodgers are on a different level in terms of talent, but the playoffs and the LCSes (and the WS) have had a lot of teams that weren't that level in recent years. Central teams, non-LAD western teams, non-NYY AL East teams all have had runs, and the AL west is more up for grabs than it has been for 10 years.

[Dave in Fairfax]

Gore officially named opening day starter

[imref]

So it’s Gore, Irvin, Williams, Soroka, and Parker

[nobleisthyname]

Happy for Parker. I hope to see Herz sooner than later.

[Smithian]

So it’s Gore, Irvin, Williams, Soroka, and Parker

Soroka is the wildcard between and

No Corbin is such a welcome sight

[JCA-CrystalCity]

OD rotation - Gore, Williams, Irvin, Parker, Soroka, with the order TBA after Gore.

[Smithian]

OD rotation - Gore, Williams, Irvin, Parker, Soroka, with the order TBA after Gore.

I've never been more torn on a rotation. Usually I have a good feeling of, "Trash!" or "Good!"

Gore could be a #1, he could be a disaster. Irvin could be a solid rotation arm, he could turn into bad Tanner Roark. Parker I'm high on, track record is slim. Soroka could be a revelation, he could end up a mopup man in the bullpen. Trevor Williams may be a fine #4/5, he might be Corbin-lite.

The reason I turned so fast on the DeJong signing is I actually want to see this staff have an average defense after Nationals pitchers past half decade pitched infront of the worst defense in MLB.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think Elvir's point that the Nats got an overperformance out of Irvin, Parker, Williams, and Herz is valid, but I still think that Parker with control can be pretty good and that Irvin is at least an OK innings eater. Soroka is a gamble but probably worth a shot, while I think Williams is just not as bad as his overall 2023 numbers. I see Williams as slightly below 4 ERA, say 3.85, maybe a touch better with a bit of homer suppression at 2021-2022 levels.

[imref]

Zuck with upcoming pitching matchups:
TODAY: Gore (LHP) vs. Wheeler (RHP)
SAT: Irvin (RHP) vs. Luzardo (LHP)
SUN: Parker (LHP) vs. Nola (RHP)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Zuck with upcoming pitching matchups:
TODAY: Gore (LHP) vs. Wheeler (RHP)
SAT: Irvin (RHP) vs. Luzardo (LHP)
SUN: Parker (LHP) vs. Nola (RHP)

I figured they'd try to slot in Parker at #3 or #4 to break up the lefties.

After Thursday's off day, they play 5 days in a row, so no skipping rotation slots first time through the rotation. After that stretch, the next two offdays are 4/3 and 4/10, then a 10 game 10 day road trip. After an offday, there's 16 in a row. That might be the first stretch they will want a spot start from Lord or a call up.

[imref]

I figured they'd try to slot in Parker at #3 or #4 to break up the lefties.

After Thursday's off day, they play 5 days in a row, so no skipping rotation slots first time through the rotation. After that stretch, the next two offdays are 4/3 and 4/10, then a 10 game 10 day road trip.

We play Philly, Arizona, and the Dodgers to open things up. This rotation will get tested early and often.