an extended slow start by this year's team would be a lot more concerning than last year's Explain because last year we knew the back of the rotation was killing us, and that it would be taken care of either at the deadline or in the offseason. the rotation we have now is locked in. if darvish and chatwood disappoint, it's a much bigger problem. also russell and schwarber are coming off bad years, so if they struggle again, it would mean they probably just suck. then of course there's been the immediate implosion of happ, which has probably completely tanked his trade value. basically, there are fewer reasons they should be sucking this year, and less ways to fix it if it continues