All Star Rotation - National League

NL All Star Rotation and Bullpen

Yesterday we saw that both the NL and AL lineups were fairly similar in overall quality.  While both teams offer superb pitching, there is a slight and noticeable edge for the AL

Average Starting Pitcher Line
AL: 9-3, 2.24 ERA, 100 IP, 83 H, 26 BB, 60 K, 1.07 WHIP, 2.36 RCERA
NL: 8-4, 2.85 ERA, 107 IP, 93 H, 22 BB, 75 K, 1.08 WHIP, 2.60 RCERA

Average Relieve Pitcher Line
AL: 4-1, 1.25 ERA,, 49 IP, 32 H, 11 BB, 32 K, 0.89 WHIP, 1.60 RCERA
NL: 2-1, 1.44 ERA,, 37 IP, 23 H, 11 BB, 20 K, 0.99 WHIP, 1.91 RCERA

The NL rotation is headed by the 12-1 Cy Blanton.  The righty started quickly out of the gate and hasn't slowed down since; his 7.1 H/9 is the best the NL. 

Greg Maddux and Noodles Hahn follow in the 2nd and 3rd slots.  Maddux is enjoying another career type of season with a 10-2 record and 1.04 WHIP, while Hahn has struggled with injury and is just 4-6 despite a 1.37 ERA.

Surprisingly, Sandy Koufax is still going strong and gets the nod for fourth starter.  Koufax has a 2.69 RCERA and is second in the league in strikeouts behind the NL's 5th starter, Pedro Martinez.  With a pedestrian 3.62 ERA Martinez was a difficult choice, but his peripherals are still among the best in the league. 

The pen features JJ Putz and his ATB best 0.28 ERA at closer.  Backing him up is Jonathan Papelbon and his own league best 0.76 WHIP.  The rest of the reliever corps is rounded out by Joe Berry in long relief, Hideki Okajima as the lefty setup, and Kent Tekulve as the righty setup.

Oh so close:

Lefty Stewart (OFB) - 2.54 ERA
Kevin Millwood (NPB) - 2.54 ERA
Jesse Tannehill (OFB) - 11 Wins
Harry Brecheen (NPB) - 2.89 RCERA
Mike Adams (NPB) - 1.73 ERA, 7 Wins in relief
Rafael Betancourt (EYO) - 2.23 CERA