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**JustinVerlander35** · 02-05-2013, 02:40 PM

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With Spring Training on the horizon, we're taking an admittedly subjective look each day this week at baseball's top 10s: lineups, rotations, bullpens, defenses and overall rosters.

Today it's the top 10 starting fives, which sure beats trying to rank the top five starting 10s.

10. Braves: The Braves have finished in the top 10 among Major League teams in starters' ERA in 19 of the past 22 years. That's called a trend. Theirs is a staff that continues to evolve behind veteran ace Tim Hudson. Kris Medlen's rise to prominence gives Hudson good company, and Paul Maholm is on board for a full season. The Braves are also encouraged by Mike Minor's development, and they should get Brandon Beachy back from Tommy John surgery in time for the stretch run. Sure, their new outfield arrangement is exciting, but the pitching staff is still where the Braves' bread is buttered.

9. A's: Brandon McCarthy walked away via free agency, and who knows what to expect when Bartolo Colon returns from his performance-enhancing drug suspension in early April. But Oakland's inordinately young and deep staff seems poised to again keep this club in contention in a tough division. A full, healthy season from Brett Anderson, who posted a 2.57 ERA in six regular-season starts and was excellent in the playoffs, will go a long way. The A's need him to step into the ace role (the lack of an established ace is all that's keeping the A's from being higher on this list). It's going to be fun to watch what strides 13-game winners Tommy Milone and Jarrod Parker make in their sophomore seasons. The depth is such that A.J. Griffin (7-1, 3.06 ERA in 15 starts) and Dan Straily (2-1, 3.89 in seven starts) might have to duke it out for a spot on the big club.

Read more: Anthony Castrovince: Nationals' rotation best in Major Leagues | MLB.com: News

**CoachJohn21** · 02-05-2013, 06:17 PM

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6. Reds: This staff ranked fifth in the Majors in starters' ERA last season and probably didn't get enough credit for how excellent it was. The Reds used just six starters in 2012, with Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mat Latos, Homer Bailey and Mike Leake accounting for all but one of the regular-season starts. Do you count on that incredible durability in 2013? Probably not. But the strides made by Bailey in the second half (3.21 ERA and a no-hitter) were legit, and Cueto and Latos are a terrific 1-2. The big X-factor is Aroldis Chapman, making the transition from commanding closer to starting project. It's a risky move by the Reds, and Chapman's innings (and, therefore, his impact) will be limited. But if the conversion is successful, look out. It would take this already robust rotation to another level.

Sorry But The Reds are better than 6th.

**JustinVerlander35** · 02-05-2013, 06:21 PM

I agree with him right about 6th or 5th.

**CoachJohn21** · 02-05-2013, 06:24 PM

I disagree Highest 3rd Lowest 5th They Had the only rotation in MLB that didn't have a starter miss a start. Our weakest Pitcher is Chapman..I wish we would leave them in the Pen as closer.

**JustinVerlander35** · 02-05-2013, 06:26 PM

Giants I think are the only one in the top five I think you make a case that the Reds have a better rotation than them. That's about it. I'll leave them at 6.

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