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.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Irvin was fortunate yesterday for the most part in spacing his hits (7). 2 BBs, too, so that WHIP was not peak Irvin (1.80, after going 1.20 last year). BABIP'd a bit on those hits, so maybe 5 IP 2 ER was about right. Kind of a modern quality start. Better than 3 through 6, IMO. Problem was the guys he turned the game over to.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Really heartened by Parker's start yesterday. Yes, the WHIP was not great (7H + 2BB over 6.1 IP for 1.421 WHIP), but 5 Ks vs 2 BBs is fine and of course he held a good offense scoreless.

He had 44 strikes by contact (fouls and balls in play), 7 swing and miss, and 13 called. 7 GB, 13 FB, 4 LD. I don't mind the flies with the guys shagging them in our outfield. I kind of enjoyed the Philly fans not used to how the ball flies in the ballpark "oh"ing at balls I knew Young had comfortably.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS202503300.shtml

[Smithian]

Soroka and Herz

Brad Lord should be sent down tomorrow to be stretched as a starter.

[IanRubbish]

Brad Lord should be sent down tomorrow to be stretched as a starter.

Not sure they should thrash him between Rochester and DC.  Let him get a few more relief appearances to feel more comfortable w/MLB and take it from there.

[imref]

Would be nice to see Andrew Alvarez get the call if Soroka goes on the IL. He had a very good opening day start at Rochester.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

if it is just a bicep cramp as Davey said post-game, then we still will have Soroka to kick around some more.

4 runs through 5+ is not good, but it isn't pull the plug bad.

[imref]

if it is just a bicep cramp as Davey said post-game, then we still will have Soroka to kick around some more.

4 runs through 5+ is not good, but it isn't pull the plug bad.

that's a quality start in Corbin-speak

[imref]

With Soroka on the IL Zuck says they will likely move up Williams and Gore, who would still be on regular rest with the off day. That would mean they would need a starter on Tuesday, which could be Lord for 3-4 innings followed by Rutledge.

[zimm_da_kid]

Had a dream last night where we had Paul Skenes instead of crews. Skenes had his amazing rookie season for us. Then he died before this season started

[varoadking]

Had a dream last night where we had Paul Skenes instead of crews. Skenes had his amazing rookie season for us. Then he died before this season started

 

[IanRubbish]

if it is just a bicep cramp as Davey said post-game

Think we know not to trust a word that comes out of his mouth

[imref]

Had a dream last night where we had Paul Skenes instead of crews. Skenes had his amazing rookie season for us. Then he died before this season started