The bullpen is going great guns (impossible to maintain?)...but we've got concerns about the back of the rotation.
With xFIPS of 4.89 for LeBlanc and 4.44 for Miranda, we're right to count the days to Taijuan's return (4.02). (BTW, if he's still in Tacoma on his bobblehead night, do they still give him one?)
But the fact is, EVERYBODY we're chasing has the same issues. As best as I can tell (guess, in some cases), here are how #4 and #5 stack up for the competition:
Detroit: Sanchez 4.76, Boyd 4.47
Boston: Rodriguez 4.85, Buchholz (?) 5.42
Baltimore: Garrardo 5.32, Milley 4.17 (ouch)
Texas: Perez 4.82, Harrell 5.53
Astros: Fiers 4.27, Fister 4.75
Jays: Estrada 4.46, Dickey 4.69
I've always felt that young pitching on the rise is the most important boost during a pennant run. Can't WAIT for Taijuan to get back...hopefully fully adjusted in mechanics and psyche.
(BTW, props to DaddyO on 'boomstick/broomstick', and Moe for the deep dive on the data.)