After dealing for Corbin Burnes, the Baltimore Orioles’ rotation appears to be much more dangerous.
It’s funny how adding an ace can completely change a starting rotation. Simply look at the Baltimore Orioles.
Putting an ace at the top causes everyone to drop down, making the rotation deeper and more complete. It also provides a team with a pitcher capable of competing with other teams’ aces when necessary, particularly in October.
Before trading for Corbin Burnes last week, the Orioles had a rather strong rotation. It was deep and had good arms, but no one jumped out as an All-Star or potential Cy Young candidate.
Burnes, a Cy Young Award winner, is now Baltimore’s bona fide ace. And now, the Orioles’ rotation appears to be among the best in baseball.
On Monday, MLB Tonight compared Baltimore’s rotation to some of the best in the American League, including two teams from the same division: the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Do the Orioles have sufficient horses to stay up?
It sure seems like it.
Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, and Kyle Bradish form a formidable top three. John Means was an All-Star before having Tommy John surgery, and Dean Kremer is a rock-solid pitcher.
Another advantage for the Orioles is their youth.
Nobody in Baltimore’s expected starting rotation will be older than 30 on Opening Day, so there should be no concern about age-related deterioration among their starters.
If Rodriguez continues on his great second half and Means is healthy, the Orioles should have enough starting pitching to carry them through the season and, maybe, the postseason.
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