Warehouse Wire 2043.03: Best Rotation in Team History?

[bcslouck]

As we approach the halfway point of the season, your Charm City Jimmies have taken over the Atlantic. It's been a tight season that Montreal has lead most of. Along with the Jimmies and Blazers, New Orleans and Atlantic City are all within 2 games of the division lead. It's going to be a hell of a stretch run in the JLA.

The biggest difference of the Jimmies this year is their rotation, which is one of the deepest in the BBA. 1 through 5 boast ERA's under 4.00, something that has never happened in team history. While nobody is dominating like the Jimmies have had in years passed, everyone has just been steady, guiding the team to a 3.60 starter ERA, good for 2nd in the Johnson League.

Looking at our records, we don't see a Jimmies rotation that had more than 3 SP's have an ERA under 4.00 over a full season. Sure, they had Egbert Behner as a perennial Nebraska candidate in the early to mid 2030's, which included a trip to the Landis in 2032. After this though, it was a mix and match of unexciting and inconsistent arms. Outside of Behner, there wasn't much potential. The team got by on good hitting and good defense. A defense that propped up those unexciting arms.

Behner hold the top 4 WAR seasons in team history. His highest was his Nebraksa winning season in 2032, earning 6.7 WAR.

While none of the current arms are set to break his 6.7 number or even 6.6 number for 2nd place on the list, done in 2031, they are definitely set to break up Behner's numbers on the leaderboard. Feliciano Rafael is on pace to move into 3rd on the list with 6.3. Bronco Rojas's 5.7 pace would put him 4th on the list if Rafael says at his pace. Mauro Ríos and Jim Wilkinson's current pace of 4.6 would put them in a tie for 5th if the other two keep up their pace. This would push Behner's 2033 and 2034 seasons down to 6th and 7th. Currently, no season has more than 2 names on the top 10 list. Current numbers would put 4 new names.

Based on individual numbers, this appears to be the best rotation in team history. This is without mentioning Maup Manshert's current stellar rookie campaign. He appears to be every bit the SP the team expected and should be a fixture for years to come. The organization seems to have gotten better at identifying pitching talent. Luck has certainly been involved as well. Well, at least this year. The rotation has been about a talented as it is in it's current state for the last few year. But injuries and guys not living up to their potential has derailed the Jimmies rise back to contention. Knocking on every piece of wood at my desk, this appears to be the year where things have finally come together.

[usnspecialist]

Really glad to see Rafael kicking ass still. Also you were wise for not selling low on Wilkinson when I tried last year.

[bcslouck]

Really glad to see Rafael kicking ass still. Also you were wise for not selling low on Wilkinson when I tried last year.

The ole "sometimes no move is the best move" strat.

[RonCo]

It's cool to see the buzz building in the JLA.

[bcslouck]

Didn't even mention Rockville who's been better since a slow start.