Everyone talks about how tough it is to compete in the AL East, but, honestly, how many of the rotations we wil face are really scary?
At least at this point. Obviously there are still some free agents out there who can make a difference like Bauer, maybe Paxton.
Certainly no one has a Nationals/Dodgers/Padres level rotation.
Jays are anchored by Ryu, then Robbie Ray. Then what? Stripling, ??? Not a rotation that you shudder to go into a series against.
Yankees have Cole and a long list of question marks.
Red Sox don't have much. We don't know what Ed Rod will be able to do after sitting out the year and possibly suffering some lung issues due to his bout with Covid. Sale had TJ surgery last March, I doubt he's ready to start the season and the Red Sox are on record they will take it slow with him. Martin Perez?
Rays have Glasnow, Wacha, Yarborough?
And this is all off the top of my head, there are probably some prospects or candidates I am not thinking of.
Any of those teams could peace together a pretty decent rotation if things break right. Or they could be really hurting if things break wrong. But none of them look like they will ride to a winning record based on starting pitching like a Nationals team might be able to.
I'll go on record now as saying the AL East will not one of the top overall divisions in baseball this year.
I miss Joe too. That's the problem this year for me was the broadcast was just boring. The Nats broadcasting crew are bad but entertainingly bad. It was just dry last year. Maybe that's just me
I don't like Thorne being gone, but with the current roster of announcers none of them are as grating as Reghi was with his Tom Tucker announcer schtick play-by-play.
I will miss Thornes voice and his story telling. But his lack of knowledge, not knowing players, pitches, etc...makes it not a big loss for me.
Garceau is kind of the opposite. He has decent knowledge and a better understanding of things..he certainly knows Os history better. But he’s dry as a bone.