As we make our way through the summer months, I imagine Orioles fans are pretty pumped about the team’s excellent start.
What I see is a really good team with a couple problems, most notably how good the 2024 Yankees are. But that doesn’t mean the Orioles can’t beat the Yankees when the two teams go toe-to-toe.
Look, I cannot peer into a crystal ball and see which players will get hurt throughout baseball and what players will be dealt ahead of the trade deadline, but there appears to be an excellent chance the Orioles will again make the playoffs.
The Orioles’ offense is really good with a chance to get even better, but I know one thing is true in baseball — it’s all about the arms when you are talking about which teams can win a World Series. As such, let’s measure the Orioles’ starting staff with the three rotations I believe are the best in the big leagues.
New York Yankees
This rotation is really, really good and figures to only get better once Gerrit Cole (elbow) settles back in. Luis Gil has been spectacular in Cole’s absence. The only possible downside is whatever the Yankees view as Gil’s innings limit coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2022.
Carlos Rodón has bounced back from a rough 2023 season, his first year in pinstripes. Marcus Stroman signed as a free agent, and his two-year, $37 million contract looks like one of the best values of this past winter. Clarke Schmidt was effective prior to being placed on the injured list due to a lat issue. The Yankees turned to Cody Poteet to fill in for Schmidt.
Philadelphia Phillies
This rotation has been otherworldly, chewing up a ton of innings for skipper Rob Thomson. It still really all begins with Zack Wheeler, who once again looks like a Cy Young candidate. He inked a three-year, $126 million extension in March that begins in 2025. Aaron Nola signed a seven-year, $172 million contract in the offseason as well. That gives the Phillies two big-money pitchers performing at a high level atop the rotation.
Ranger Suárez is in the midst of a career year to boot. While it doesn’t end there, there is a drop-off to Cristopher Sanchez, Spencer Turnbull and Taijuan Walker. But that top three is, as we said, otherworldly. No wonder the Phillies’ bullpen has been at the top of its game.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have slipped their way into first place in the AL West. The M’s stand an excellent chance to rule the AL West all summer given the continuing issues in Texas with both the Rangers and Astros, but I assure you it won’t be because of their offense. They’ll go as far as their terrific starting rotation can take them.
Luis Castillo is still the head of the staff and when he is on, he can beat anyone. Other mainstays in the Mariners’ rotation include Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. The M’s also get a boost from their two youngest arms, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo.
Baltimore Orioles
As I said at the outset, I can’t predict who will get hurt or what teams will be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline. While the Orioles’ offense is too potent to be held down in a potential series against the Mariners, a starting rotation that features some combination of Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Cole Irvin, Dean Kremer, Albert Suárez and Cade Povich does not at this point measure up to the Yankees and Phillies, two teams the Orioles will likely have to get by to win a World Series in 2024.
I wrote a column many, many moons ago when the Orioles were in the pits that we’d know that the Orioles were capable of being a serious contender when the rotation was capable of winning a World Series. They are on the precipice of that moment in 2024.
Burnes is a warrior. Rodriguez has a chance to become an Orioles icon. Kyle Bradish may have the most talent on this staff, but he’s now done for the season. As June and July play out, take an honest measurement of the arms and we’ll know if this group is up to the task.
This story was updated to reflect Bradish undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
Originally published June 19, 2024