Power Pitching Trios: Best Pitching Trios Headed Into The 2020 Season

Since the MLB schedule is based off of region this season, the following are my top pitching trios from each region headed into the 2020 season.

East Region:

Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin

Possibly the best pitching trio in the majors, these top three can do it all at the top of the Nationals rotation. After signing Patrick Corbin, to a 6 year 140 million dollar contract last off season, the team's pitching really took off. Max Scherzer had a 2.92 ERA with 243 strikeouts in only 172.1 innings pitched, because of a side injury. Stephen Strasburg was just as dominant as he posted a 3.32 ERA in 209 innings pitched. Patrick Corbin, proved he could be a top pitcher in the league, after he had a 3.25 ERA in 202 innings pitched, numbers very similar to his 2018 campaign with the Diamondbacks. In the playoffs, Strasburg was the pitcher who shined the most among the three, taking home World Series MVP after pitching to a 2.51 ERA in the series.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Scherzer will lead the league in strikeouts...again, Strasburg continues his dominance, and I expect Corbin to continue being a top 20 starting pitcher.

Tampa Bay Rays: Charlie Morton, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow

The Rays came out of nowhere last season, taking the Astros to 5 games in the ALDS before coming up short. A large part of their success, was their starting pitching. Charlie Morton, has gotten better as he has gotten older, posting a 3.05 ERA in 194.2 IP, with a WHIP of just over 1 last season. Tyler Glasnow, was on a roll early in the season, before an arm strain cut his season short. Up until the injury, Glasnow had a 1.86 ERA before the injury, before coming back late in the season and ending up with a 1.78 ERA over 60.2 IP. Blake Snell, had a rough season, posting a 4.29 ERA after winning the AL Cy Young in 2018.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Blake Snell has a bounce back season, Tyler Glasnow proves last season was not a fluke, and Charlie Morton contends for the Cy Young.

New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka

The signing of Gerrit Cole in the off season, is what boosts this pitching trio. After losing Luis Severino to Tommy John Surgery, the signing of Cole was crucial. Cole adds depth to a rotation with solid starters, who were just needing an ace type of pitcher. James Paxton, is coming off of back surgery, but still posted a 3.82 ERA last season, with a strikeout rate of 11.1 over 150.2 IP. Masahiro Tanaka, is doing well after suffering a head injury in summer camp. Tanaka had a 4.45 ERA last season with a WHIP of 1.24 over 182 IP, but I expect those numbers to improve. Overall, I see a rotation who can pitch well enough to make a playoff push, but it will be their offense that determines the majority of the team's success.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Gerrit Cole wins the Cy Young, James Paxton is a top 20 starting pitcher, and Masahiro Tanaka turns out to be better than everybody expects.

Another East Region Trio To Watch Out For: Philadelphia Phillies: Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Jake Arrieta

Central Region:

Chicago Cubs: Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester

One of the top pitching trios in the region, the Cubs have one of the best rotations in the National League. Cubs manager, David Ross announced Thursday that Kyle Hendricks will get the opening day nod for the club, against the Brewers. Hendricks is consistent as it gets, but seems to get overlooked by Yu Darvish in the rotation. Hendricks had a 3.46 ERA last season over 177 IP, with a WHIP of 1.13. He doesn't rack up the strikeouts like other top pitchers do, but his pitching control is one of the best in the game. Personally, I would take Hendricks over Darvish, just because of his consistency over the past 6 seasons, with never having a season with an ERA above 4. Darvish, was with the Rangers for the better part of 6 seasons before getting traded to the Dodgers and then eventually ending up with Chicago. Darvish has turned into an average pitcher, where you don't know how he will perform season after season. Jon Lester, the so called veteran of the bunch, had a 4.46 ERA in 171.2 IP. Lester's days of being great are over, but still adds solid depth to the back end of the rotation.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Kyle Hendricks stays consistent as ever, Yu Darvish remains a guessing game, and Jon Lester improves from last season.

Cincinnati Reds: Luis Castillo, Sonny, Trevor Bauer

After getting Trevor Bauer in the Yasiel Puig deal that sent Puig to Cleveland last season, the Reds have a rotation that has a ton of upside and can put it all together this season. Luis Castillo had an all star type season last year, posting a 3.40 ERA, while winning 15 games. Castillo's devastating changeup is what pitch sets him apart. After throwing it 33 percent of the time last season, he can make opposing hitters look foolish. If he puts up similar numbers this season, he may become one of, if not one of the better young arms in the game. Sonny Gray finally had the season baseball fans were expecting him to have seasons ago with Oakland. Gray had a very good 2.87 ERA in 175.1 IP, while racking up 205 strikeouts and a WHIP just over 1. Trevor Bauer struggled, in his short time with the Reds last season, but I expect him to feel more comfortable this season and for his numbers to improve.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Luis Castillo stays consistent with similar numbers, Sonny Gray continues to find his true self in Cincinnati, and Trevor Bauer dramatically improves.

Cleveland Indians: Shane Bieber, Mike Clevinger, Carlos Carrasco

The loss of trading Corey Kluber to the Rangers, does not at all change the look of this trio, in fact they may be better without him. Having two potential Cy Young candidates in Shane Bieber and Mike Clevinger does not hurt at all. The two, both put up all star type numbers last season, with Bieber taking home the All Star game MVP. The big question, is how will Carlos Carrasco respond after being diagnosed with cancer last season. If a cancer free Carrasco comes back and looks the same like he did before being diagnosed, everybody should watch out for the Indians pitching staff. Should Carrasco struggle, the Indians have other starting options with Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac already at the back end of the rotation.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Bieber and Clevinger continue to rise as one of the best pitching duos in the league and Carlos Carrasco surprises everyone.

Another Central Trio To Watch Out For: Minnesota Twins: Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, Rich Hill

West Region:

Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias

The stacked lineup of the Dodgers is scary enough, but add in the pitching and you get an all around championship type team. Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler are one of the best pitching duos in the Majors. Kershaw had a 3.03 ERA last season, which was considered an off year for him, but I think his days of being a top 5 or even top 10 pitcher are over. Walker Buehler on the other hand, is just getting warmed up. Buehler had a 3.26 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 215 strikeouts in 182.1 IP. Buehler, in my opinion is the best young pitcher in the game, with the potential to win multiple Cy Young's in the future. His fastball is arguably the best in the game, reaching a velocity of 96.6 MPH on average. With the run support he could get from the offense, he has the potential to win 20 or more games in a full season. Julio Urias, is a young pitcher with a lot of potential, who has been up and down with the club over the past four seasons. He had a 2.49 ERA over 79.1 IP last season, which is a great start for the young and up and coming pitcher. The Dodgers have the most pitching depth in the league. The other two starters that join the trio, are likely to be Ross Stripling and Alex Wood, though I could see Dustin May getting a shot in the rotation as well. Bottom line, the pitching is great and everybody should watch out.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Clayton Kershaw remains great in the regular season, Walker Buehler becomes a top 3 starting pitcher, and Julio Urias keeps rising.

Houston Astros: Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr.

Justin Verlander continues to show he is a top notch pitcher even at age 37. Verlander, is coming off a Cy Young award season, in which he had a 2.58 ERA, 21 wins, and 300 strike outs in 223 IP. At some point he has to slow down, but he is not showing it yet. Zack Greinke, continues to get it done as well, pitching to a 2.93 ERA last season, adding in 18 wins, and a WHIP of 0.98. Lance McCullers, is coming off of Tommy John Surgery and it will be interesting to see how many innings he may end up with this season. The loss of Gerrit Cole, certainly cannot be filled and the Astros will have to rely on Verlander and Greinke for the majority of their pitching success.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Justin Verlander starts to slow down, Zack Greinke has another solid season, and Lance McCullers once again becomes a dependable starter.

Texas Rangers: Mike Minor, Corey Kluber, Lance Lynn:

After signing Corey Kluber in the off season, the Rangers rotation becomes a good, but yet interesting one. The biggest news of the off season, came when the Indians sent Emmanuel Clase and Delino Deshields Jr. to Texas, in exchange for Corey Kluber and cash considerations. The Rangers, basically got Kluber for nothing, because Clase received an 80 game PED suspension, meaning he will not be able to play this season and part as next season as well. I expect Mike Minor and Lance Lynn to regress this season, based off their schedule. After both having won at least 14 games last season and having an ERA under 3.7, I see Minor and Lynn's numbers to jump. If Kluber can become an ace like pitcher again, like he was with Cleveland the Rangers have a solid rotation to work with.

2020 Pitching Predictions: Corey Kluber becomes an ace type pitcher again and both Minor and Lynn regress.

Another West Region Trio To Watch Out For: San Diego Padres: Chris Paddack, Dinelson Lamet, Joey Lucchesi