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2016 AL East Rankings by Position: Starting Pitching

By Nate Wardle

Sep 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (right) addresses the media as Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (left) holds a microphone during batting practice before a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (right) addresses the media as Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (left) holds a microphone during batting practice before a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) pitches during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) pitches during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Baltimore Orioles – Chris Tillman, Yovani Gallardo, Kevin Gausman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Miguel Gonzalez, Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright, T.J. McFarland

Last year, I had the Orioles ranked first before the season started. Then Kevin Gausman continued to ride the Norfolk shuttle before settling down after Bud Norris was pulled from the rotation. Norris was awful, Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman both had arguably the worst years of their careers, and the team had to use Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright as spot starters. Ubaldo was much better for the Orioles than in 2014, but he still was inconsistent.

In 2016, everything can’t go wrong, and the team has added Yovani Gallardo. Even with his 4.99 ERA in 2015, Tillman went 11-11. This is a guy who in his career is 56-42 with a 4.20 ERA. Before 2015, his highest ERA in a full season was 3.71. I think Tillman will be fine.

Ubaldo is going to be what he is, an inconsistent pitcher who maddens Oriole fans but is good enough to keep the team in games.

The big question marks as to whether this team ends up maybe as high as second by the end of the year, or last, will be how good Kevin Gausman and Yovani Gallardo are. Gausman will not be riding the shuttle to AAA Norfolk this year. He is permanently in the rotation. The 25-year-old has shown glimpses of success, but he continues to struggle to maintain his focus. Another year of maturity should help the Orioles and Gausman, and the team will need it.

Much has been said about Gallardo and his signing with the Orioles. Gallardo is one of only a handful of guys to pitch in over 180 innings in each of the last 7 years. The O’s will enjoy someone who is an innings-eater in their rotation. Gallardo is a career 102-75 guy with a 3.66 ERA. And, he has played in some tough parks to pitch in in Milwaukee and Texas. Baltimore will be another challenge. With the numbers increasing each of the past few years, much has been written about whether Gallardo is aging or will be a successful starter in Baltimore. Sure, his strikeouts have been down, his walks up in 2015. But, the Orioles are paying Gallardo less money than the Jays are paying Happ and Estrada this year. Both of those guys have losing records in their careers.

Next: Questions upon questions...

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