Oct 10, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman (30) pitches in the first inning in game one of the 2014 ALCS playoff against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
2. Baltimore Orioles
While this Orioles rotation may lack a true ace, the Baltimore front office has built their rotation out of strong mid-rotation workhorses and it profiles to be a solid group. Tillman (13-6, 3.34 ERA) will serve as the top starter in this starting five, but he’s hardly head and shoulders above the rest of this group. The Taiwanese-born Chen (16-7, 3.54 ERA) broke out with the best season of his career last year and Gausman (7-7, 3.57 ERA) also had a breakout year at the age of 23. Gonzalez (10-9, 3.23 ERA) has consistently outperformed his peripherals and posted solid results and Norris (15-8, 3.65 ERA) certainly profiles as a strong back-of-the-rotation starter.
This group doesn’t have any big-time starter that they could throw out during a must-win game. However, between Baltimore’s lineup and the solid, if unspectacular, rotation, they might not need one. Barring major injuries, this rotation probably has the highest floor of any in this division.