Where does the Braves' starting rotation rank among the NL East in 2024?

Now that the Atlanta Braves have made their splashy starting pitcher acquisition, it seems like the perfect time to rank the NL East's starting pitching rotations!

Atlanta Braves v New York Mets - Game Two
Atlanta Braves v New York Mets - Game Two | Rich Schultz/GettyImages
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Spencer Strider
Atlanta Braves v New York Mets - Game Two | Rich Schultz/GettyImages

1. Atlanta Braves

1. Spencer Strider | 185 IP, 3.18 ERA
2. Max Fried | 185 IP, 3.57 ERA
3. Charlie Morton | 165 IP, 4.18 ERA
4. Chris Sale | 141 IP, 3.74 ERA
5. Bryce Elder | 138 IP, 4.69 ERA

Strider is projected for 4.9 fWAR, the most among all starting pitchers in the NL East. On paper, Chris Sale looks great in the fourth spot of this rotation. Sale's injury history over the past few years has caused prognosticators hesitation in their prognostications on Sale in 2024. That's one reason I think Chris Sale will be a great value in fantasy baseball drafts.

The top four spots in the rotation are so solid that they give the Braves a lot of leeway with the fifth spot. Bryce Elder can take his shot this year, after a rough second half in 2023. If that doesn't work out, the Braves will have the flexibility to try out some of the young guys like AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep... or whomever they choose. Read more about how AJ Smith-Shawver could take the fifth spot in the rotation.

Conclusion

The Marlins have a lot of talent in their rotation and the Phillies have a couple of proven commodities at the top. However, no rotation comes close to having the depth and quality of the Atlanta Braves. Alex Anthopoulos has done an excellent job at making sure this team doesn't run into the same issue they've run into over the last couple of seasons.

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