Mlb - Top Five Rotations In The National League

By Author: Jess
Total Articles: 15
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MLB betting players know that you have to have a solid rotation if you're going to compete, and if it's top notch, you can probably run away in the National League. After the top three, there's a bit of a drop in quality, but there's time to improve.

Philadelphia

How do you replace Cliff Lee, a former Cy Young winner? By going out and getting Roy Halladay, of course. Lee was the Phillies' second choice at last year's trade deadline, but they ended up chasing down Halladay, who makes the Phillies the hands-down favorites in the National League. Cole Hamels is looking to get back to his best, while J.A. Happ will try to build on his promising 2009, while Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick battle for the No.5 spot.

San Francisco

With reigning two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain at the top of the rotation, the Giants have a crazy one-two punch. Former Cy Young winner Barry Zito is showing signs of getting back to his old form, but we're still skeptical. If Jonathan Sanchez can show that last year's no-hitter wasn't a fluke, the Giants can be a problem in the ...
... West. Todd Wellemeyer in the last spot is the equivalent of looking at the list of Kentucky Derby contenders, and taking the horse with the longest odds.

St. Louis

How many teams can say that two of their pitchers finished in the top three of Cy Young voting? Chris Carpenter was close behind Lincecum last year, and Adam Wainwright was even closer behind Carpenter. Brad Penny was brought in to fill the third spot, because Kyle Lohse isn't consistent enough, and Jaime Garcia is still a rookie.

San Diego

Speaking of horses, the Padres traded their best chance of having a Kentucky Derby betting favorite when they sent Jake Peavy to Chicago, yet, the Padres are still going. Jon Garland is playing for his third NL West team since January 2009, so he knows the hitters in the division. Kevin Correia is one of the most underrated pitchers in the league, while Clayton Richard and Mat Latos are young and talented. The piece that would push them over the edge is a return to form by Chris Young, but he's back on the disabled list.

Atlanta

The Braves get the nod over a few teams, especially if Tim Hudson proves to be fully healthy again to give Atlanta a surefire ace. Derek Lowe adds experience which will come in handy if the rest of the league has caught up to Jair Jurrjens, who was phenomenal last season. Kenshin Kawakami is holding onto the fifth spot for now, but the Braves need Hudson to be back at his best if the Braves are going to overcome Philadelphia in the sports betting odds.