Scariest 1/2 Starting pitching combo in the league

[Little Slide Rooter]

With Carpenter and now Wainwright on his way back, the Cards could actually have legit pitching. Will it be too late? Which brings me to the question, what is the most formidable 1-2 punch as far as starting pitching gos, of course assuming both guys are healthy.

 

I suppose a deciding factor for the pitching staff a as a whole is that the Cubs(Demp), Backs(Johnson), Red Sox(Lester) and Angels(Lackey) all have a solid #3 behind them.

[dew1679666265]

I went with Webb/Haren, though the Z/Harden duo is really, really close.

[mcgoobs]

Went with Arizona as all of the others have injury histories (Harden, Sheets, Carpenter, Pedro) or haven't proven yet that they can be consistently good year-to-year (Matsuzaka, E. Santana, Saunders).

 

In terms of pure talent that they currently display, it could be a toss-up between the Cubs, Brewers, Angels and D-Backs.

[SouthSideRyan]

Cards and Mets are hilariously out of place here.

[rawaction]

D-Backs-Webb/Haren

Cubs-Zambrano/Harden

Brewers-Sabathia/Sheets

Angels-Lackey/Santana (Lackey's a better pitcher than both, Saunders and E. Santana, I'd go Lackey/Santana as 1-2)

Mets-Santana/Perez (took out Pedro and put in Ollie Perez)

Red Sox-Beckett/Daisuke

Cards-Carpenter/Wainwright

 

In order, IMO. Top 3 are real close. D'Backs are #1 because Webb has been more consistent than Zambrano the last few years (mainly last year) and Haren has been healthier than Harden. Take out April, and Sabathia has been as good the last 3 years as any of them. Milwaukee is 3rd, because as amazing as it is, If I had those top 6 pitchers on my team, Ben Sheets would not be in the rotation.

 

Also, just because they are not in playoff contention doesn't mean that Lincecum/Cain shouldn't be on this list. I'd rank them over any 2 you choose from the Angels. Also, if you include Santana and whoever (Great 1, slightly above average 2), you have to include Halladay and Marcum/Burnett from Toronto.

[Cynosure]

Harden and Z no doubt... Sabathia and Sheets close second.

[Vanilla Ice]

I dont mind being called a homer, but I went with Z/Harden

[Little Slide Rooter]

Cards and Mets are hilariously out of place here.

 

I did say if completely healthy. If Pedro were to ever stay healthy, he and Johan would be one hell of a 1-2 punch.

[Guest]

Haren and Webb.

[evv98]

Cards and Mets are hilariously out of place here.

 

I did say if completely healthy. If Pedro were to ever stay healthy, he and Johan would be one hell of a 1-2 punch.

 

There's a difference between being not healthy and too old. Pedro is not good now because he is too old...injuries are just a part of it. If you could take the best of all of these pitchers, say Pedro from five years ago and Santana from a couple of years ago, they would be head-and-shoulders above the others. Right now they do not belong as a duo.

 

If you want to assume health, I think that Harden is the best pitcher of the entire group. I have thought so for the past few years. His only downfall has been health. Coupled with Z, I think they are the best combo with Haren/Webb a close second.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Cards are planning on using Wainwright as a closer when he gets back according to Ken Rosenthal.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Furthermore, Wainwright gave up 3 runs while recording only 2 outs for Memphis. He may not be as close as the Cardinals would like right now.

[TruffleShuffle]

wait so saunders and santana are better than lackey? lawl.

[Little Slide Rooter]

wait so saunders and santana are better than lackey? lawl.

 

There definitely the best 1-2-3 in the AL, posibly the best in baseball.

[RedFlash]

Harden/Z and not close.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Haren/Webb is by far the best 1-2. Z/Harden/Dempster beats out Lackey/Santana/Saunders for best 1-2-3.

[17 Seconds]

I would have probably gone with Sabathia/Sheets if C.C. didn't completely mail it in last postseason. Instead I went with Webb/Haren, and that is exactly why I am rooting for the Dodgers to win the West.

 

Oh, and why is Lackey not in the Angels top 2?

[TruffleShuffle]

Harden/Z and not close.

 

homerific post of the day.

[laurens]

Webb/Haren is really intimidating.

[RedFlash]

Webb/Haren is really intimidating.

 

Only to those who are easily intimadating, they are...the only duo I found intimadating was Johnson and Schilling....Webb and Haren are definately formiable, imitimadating.........is abit strong.

[RedFlash]

Harden/Z and not close.

 

homerific post of the day.

 

What you don't think Z/Harden can't be better then Webb/Haren? Because I do.

[Sammy Sofa]

Webb and Haren for now. A lot of the duos up there are damn impressive, but those two just so consistently lock it down. Sheets and CC are up there, but the looming injury threat with Sheets and that both will likely be split up just doesn't give me that nervous feeling Webb and Haren do. If Harden can stay healthy, I think he and Z will be up there.

[javy knows my name]

I figured all these guys would be in the same league. You know, like the title suggested. Webb and Haren and the choice wasn't particularly difficult.

[dew1679666265]

I figured all these guys would be in the same league. You know, like the title suggested. Webb and Haren and the choice wasn't particularly difficult.

 

Major League Baseball, I guess. :wink:

[Ding Dong Johnson]

not exactly within the lines of this poll, but...

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=22114