![Max Scherzer has won three Cy Youngs in his career. [Image Source: Flickr | Corn Farmer]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2020/2/23/660x290/b_502x220x82/max-scherzer-has-won-three-cy-youngs-in-his-career-image-source-flickr-corn-farmer_2406907.jpg "Max Scherzer has won three Cy Youngs in his career. [Image Source: Flickr | Corn Farmer]")
With the regular season a little over a month away from the beginning, we have been taking a look at the projected starters at each position. After ranking the starting rotations in the American League, let’s take a look at those in the Senior Circuit.
As a subjective list, many of the teams can almost be considered interchangeable as to where they are ranked. Depth charts were taken from Fangraphs.
Nationals - Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin (L), Anibal Sanchez, Joe Ross
Strasburg is the reigning World Series MVP, Scherzer has finished in the top-five of Cy Young voting seven straight years (including winning it twice), and Corbin finished 11th in NL Cy Young voting last year (fifth in 2018).
Bird’s-eye view of one of baseball’s best @Max_Scherzer Fun to watch him pitch, even if I am a @Mets fan. #baseballisback #SpringTraining #grapefruitleague pic.twitter.com/rUVi7aFmje
— LaurenceReisman (@LaurenceReisman) February 23, 2020
Mets - Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz (L), Rick Porcello
deGrom has won the last two NL Cy Young Awards, but if Porcello pitches as he did last year (5.52 ERA, 1.39 WHIP), someone like Michael Wacha could take his place in the rotation.
“We had no idea where we were gonna be.”
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) February 23, 2020
Steven Matz reflects on his baseball journey with his best friend, Jacob deGrom, and what it’s been like to watch him ascend to the top.
This was really great. pic.twitter.com/R9U5pPRRlS
Reds - Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley (L), Anthony DeSclafani
Four of the five starters finished 2019 with an ERA under four (Bauer did not, but his was 2.21 in 2018).
Reds' Luis Castillo aims for Cy Young after breakout season https://t.co/sJlMvctzfl
— WLWT (@WLWT) February 21, 2020
Dodgers - Clayton Kershaw (L), Walker Buehler, David Price (L), Alex Wood (L), Julio Urias (L)
This may be the season that the 25-year-old Buehler (ninth in NL Cy Young voting in 2019) takes the title of ace for the Dodgers away from Kershaw (turns 32 on March 19).
Just filthy, @buehlersdayoff. pic.twitter.com/IXxn5QYwlG
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 21, 2020
Diamondbacks - Madison Bumgarner (L), Mike Leake, Robbie Ray (L), Luke Weaver, Zac Gallen
Can Gallen recreate the success he had in his rookie season last year (2.81 ERA, 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 15 starts with Miami and Arizona)?
No more flying under the radar for @Dbacks RHP Zac Gallen. https://t.co/FkRzwZzrlW
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) February 21, 2020
Braves - Mike Soroka, Max Fried (L), Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb (L), Cole Hamels (L)
With Hamels expected to start the year on the IL due to a shoulder ailment, could we see Felix Hernandez in the rotation to begin the year?
ICYMI, @EOF34 told me a story about the first time he saw Félix Hernández pitch when they both were Mariners minor leaguers, and how it made Eric think he wasn’t long for pro ball himself, so superior was King Félix https://t.co/CRiIr5Ee11
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 24, 2020
Cardinals - Jack Flaherty, Carlos Martinez, Dakota Hudson, Adam Wainwright, Kwang-Hyun Kim (L)
According to the Washington Times, Kim was named the Korean Baseball Organization’s best pouched last year and could become the first full-time left-handed starter for St. Louis since Jaime Garcia in 2016.
Jack Flaherty never met Kobe Bryant, but he was working on making it happen when tragedy struck. How one elite athlete inspired another. https://t.co/lm0E0nTecb
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) February 24, 2020
Cubs - Yu Darvish, Jose Quintana (L), Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester (L), Tyler Chatwood
The 30-year-old Chatwood pitched much better last year (mostly in relief) after a nightmarish first season with Chicago in 2018.
Only 4 pitchers have made at least 30 starts in each of the past five seasons:
— Jason Collette (@jasoncollette) February 22, 2020
-Julio Teheran
-Jose Quintana
-Jon Lester
-Mike Leake
never in a million years would I have guessed even two of those names https://t.co/Or543GadFf
Phillies - Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Jake Arrieta, Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez
All eyes will be on Wheeler (turns 30 on May 30) after he signed a five year, $118 million deal to help stabilize Philadelphia’s starting staff.
For Aaron Nola, it all starts with getting ahead. He was one of best in game at that in ‘18 and looks to get back there in ‘20https://t.co/3m8tkawwMc
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) February 24, 2020
Padres - Chris Paddack, Garrett Richards, Zach Davies, Joey Lucchesi (L), Dinelson Lamet
Paddack should be seen as the unquestioned ace after an excellent 2019 rookie season, but San Diego hopes he doesn’t experience struggles again as the season goes along (2.84 ERA before the All-Star break, 4.01 after).
The Sheriff Chris Paddack bringing the heat today in a simulated game at #PadresST pic.twitter.com/Wn5b3O3eKO
— K.C. Alfred (@KCAlfredPhoto) February 21, 2020
Brewers - Brandon Woodruff, Adrian Houser, Brett Anderson (L), Josh Lindbolm, Eric Lauer (L)
Pitching in the majors from 2011-14 and 2017, Lindbolm is back after two dominant years in the Korean Baseball Organization (35-7 record in 56 starts).
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Lindblom discusses his outing against the San Diego Padres. https://t.co/tVXTXgLmKo
— JSOnline - NewsWatch (@js_newswatch) February 24, 2020
Rockies - Jon Gray, German Marquez, Kyle Freeland (L), Antonio Sentazela, Jeff Hoffman
Which version of Freeland will we see, the one who finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2018, or the one who finished with a hideous 6.73 ERA in 2019?
Jon Gray settles on one-year deal with Rockies instead of filing for arbitration. Sources confirm to https://t.co/hN6x2K69HC a $5.6 million salary.
— Tracy Ringolsby (@TracyRingolsby) January 11, 2020
Marlins - Caleb Smith (L), Sandy Alcantara, Jose Urena, Pablo Lopez, Jordan Yamamoto
A relatively young rotation (all currently younger than 29, three younger than 25), Smith is a name to watch at the trade deadline for contending teams.
"This guy has stuff to be No. 1 and one of the top pitchers in the MLB," Francisco Cervelli said.
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) February 24, 2020
Sandy Alcantara's confidence, JJ Bleday's bat and more Marlins takeaways from Game 3 of spring training. https://t.co/j1p8jvd2lg pic.twitter.com/qC8FyXKLLd
Pirates - Chris Archer, Joe Musgrove, Trevor Williams, Steven Brault, Mitch Keller
Do you think the Pirates want a do-over from acquiring Archer from Tampa Bay while shipping out Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow?
The move to scratch Chris Archer from his scheduled start against the Yankees is precautionary, and he is considered day-to-day.
— Post-Gazette Sports (@PGSportsNow) February 24, 2020
From: @JMackeyPG ⬇️https://t.co/8dzy2k49Vw
Giants - Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Kevin Gausman, Drew Smyly (L), Tyler Beede
Once an elite starter, the 34-year-old Cueto has combined to make just 13 starts over the past two seasons.
The Shimmie Shake is back... @JohnnyCueto looking good in his first live bullpen V’s hitters today on the @SFGiants backfield in Scottsdale 🙌🏻👏🏼⚾️🧡@NBCSGiants @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/DOyPwDVxhr
— Kelli Johnson (@KJohnsonNBCS) February 19, 2020
