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Ranking the rotations of MLB playoff teams

Brad Mills / USA TODAY Sports

As the cliche goes, pitching wins championships. If that's truly the case, though, some teams are in serious trouble before the postseason even begins (see: Twins, Minnesota).

Depth is of the utmost importance in October, so while the Boston Red Sox have arguably the best pitcher of 2017 in Chris Sale, they still have to worry about the rest of their rotation. Not every regular-season option will get the chance to toe the rubber to kick off a playoff game, but choice matters.

Here's how the playoff rotations shape up, from worst to best.

10) Minnesota Twins

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Ervin Santana 16-8 3.28 1.13 2.9
Jose Berrios 14-8 3.89 1.23 2.8
Kyle Gibson 12-10 5.07 1.53 1.1
Adalberto Mejia 4-7 4.50 1.57 1.1

Bartolo "Big Sexy" Colon is also available, but he hasn't been effective in either Minnesota or Atlanta - and regardless, it's difficult to imagine this rotation shouldering the burden of carrying the Twins through the postseason, no matter how much of a pleasant surprise Santana's year was. Berrios appears to be on the verge of becoming the real deal, but 2017 is premature for this club to seriously contend.

9) Colorado Rockies

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Jon Gray 10-4 3.67 1.30 3.2
German Marquez 11-7 4.39 1.38 2.4
Tyler Chatwood 8-15 4.69 1.44 1.1
Tyler Anderson 6-6 4.81 1.33 1.1

While the Rockies may feature one of the deepest rosters when it comes to starting pitchers, none of them are especially dominant, and nothing beyond Gray screams "top arm." They've moved Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela to the bullpen, though they'd be options should Colorado survive the wild card.

8) New York Yankees

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Luis Severino 14-6 2.98 1.04 5.7
Sonny Gray* 10-12 3.55 1.21 2.9
Masahiro Tanaka 13-12 4.74 1.24 2.7
CC Sabathia 14-5 3.69 1.27 1.9

Severino has emerged as a frontline starter while Tanaka has alternated between dominating and being dominated. The first-time All-Star is the only sure thing here. That may be enough to cruise through the AL wild-card game, but nothing will come easily afterward.

*Split between Athletics and Yankees

7) Boston Red Sox

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Chris Sale 17-8 2.90 0.97 7.7
Drew Pomeranz 17-6 3.32 1.35 3.1
Eduardo Rodriguez 6-7 4.19 1.28 2.1
Rick Porcello 11-17 4.65 1.40 2.0

The Red Sox are too top-heavy to be considered overpowering. They may have the edge in a five-game series, but if Sale has a rare bad day, the series will become an uphill battle rather quickly. David Price is noticeably absent here, though he'll add some clout to an already imposing bullpen.

6) Chicago Cubs

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Jose Quintana 11-11 4.15 1.22 3.9
Kyle Hendricks 7-5 3.03 1.19 2.5
Jon Lester 13-8 4.33 1.32 2.7
Jake Arrieta 14-10 3.53 1.22 2.4

Name recognition may suggest a higher ranking is warranted, but the Cubs have had an uneven 2017. Hendricks has been the most consistent returning pitcher from last year's championship team. Though Quintana helps bolster this group, it's still much less imposing than it was a year ago. (John Lackey's also a candidate, but the Cubs have not yet announced their official rotation.)

5) Arizona Diamondbacks

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Zack Greinke 17-7 3.20 1.07 5.1
Zack Godley 8-9 3.37 1.14 3.5
Robbie Ray 15-5 2.89 1.16 3.3
Patrick Corbin 14-13 4.03 1.42 3.0

The deepest of the wild-card rotations, Arizona's been shockingly strong from the mound all season. Greinke's bounce-back is one big reason why, but Ray has also managed to harness his command at times while mowing down opponents. Taijuan Walker could slot in as well, forcing the Diamondbacks to make some tough decisions about their rotation - a problem any team would love to have.

4) Houston Astros

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Justin Verlander 15-8 3.36 1.17 4.1
Brad Peacock 13-2 3.00 1.19 3.4
Charlie Morton 14-7 3.62 1.19 3.3
Dallas Keuchel 14-5 2.90 1.12 2.5

Don't sleep on potential surprise option Lance McCullers, though a bullpen assignment may be more likely for the oft-injured fireballer. Adding Verlander at zero hour on Aug. 31 immediately propelled the Astros' rotation to elite status, especially considering the question marks around McCullers and Keuchel. Peacock and Morton have been quietly reliable as well. Over a seven-game series, there is no respite for opposing lineups.

3) Cleveland Indians

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Corey Kluber 18-4 2.25 0.87 7.3
Carlos Carrasco 18-6 3.29 1.10 5.5
Trevor Bauer 17-9 4.19 1.37 3.2
Danny Salazar 5-6 4.28 1.34 2.2

Kluber and Carrasco are as devastating a one-two punch as you can imagine, which should make the AL wild-card champion quake with fear. After them, things are less certain, especially with Mike Clevinger set for relief duty. Cleveland will need the good versions of Bauer and Salazar and hope they don't lose their command. Josh Tomlin could also slot in.

2) Washington Nationals

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Max Scherzer 16-6 2.51 0.90 6.0
Stephen Strasburg 15-4 2.52 1.02 5.6
Gio Gonzalez 15-9 2.96 1.15 3.3
Tanner Roark 13-11 4.59 1.32 2.4

Scherzer and Strasburg may rival the Indians for the best duo atop a rotation. Adding Gonzalez to the mix is enough to nudge them ahead of Cleveland in the rankings. Roark is capable, and could be enough to bridge the gap to the showstoppers. That said, the Nationals don't have quite as much depth here as their potential NLCS opponent.

1) Los Angeles Dodgers

Name W-L ERA WHIP WAR
Clayton Kershaw 18-4 2.31 0.95 4.6
Yu Darvish 10-12 3.86 1.16 3.5
Alex Wood 15-3 2.82 1.09 3.3
Rich Hill 12-8 3.32 1.09 2.6

The counting stats aren't as impressive as the top options of either Cleveland or Washington, but Kershaw is still the anchor of the Dodgers' playoff rotation. At its best, it's untouchable, as all four of these names have shown at times this season. Don't let recency bias cloud your judgment. L.A. has the deepest rotation in the postseason, and in spite of Kershaw's poor finish, he's still the most dangerous hurler in the game.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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