Who Is The Best?

When you have 4 aces all on one starting rotation, naturally people are going to try and decide who the best pitcher is. So far this season it is literally a toss up between Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay as to who is the "Ace" of the staff.

One could make the case that it is Cole Hamels who is 9-4 with a 2.49 ERA. Hamels has been simply outstanding and has given up 4 runs or more in only 2 starts this year. In his 14 other starts Hamels has given up 3 runs or less which is an outstanding feat. Although he only has one complete game this year, Cole has consistently pitched well and he gives the Phils a chance to win every time he takes to the mound. Hamels has lost his last 2 outings and has been stuck on 9 wins since June 14th. Hopefully Hamels will have a big game tomorrow night against the Red Sox.

The ace of the staff could also very easily be Roy Halladay who is 10-3 with a 2.40 ERA. Halladay is tied for first in the NL with 10 wins and has been dominant all year. Halladay has 3 complete games under his belt this year and always goes deep into which allows the bull pen to rest. Halladay will most likely be the starter in the All-Star game and as the leader of this pitching staff, he could easily be deemed the ace.

In his last 5 starts, Cliff Lee has surged his way to the top of this staff. Cliff has pitched 42 innings in his last 5 outings and has only surrendered 1 earned run. And after last night's complete game shutout against Boston, Cliff has now pitched 3 consecutive complete game shutouts, a feat that is simply unheard of in today's game. Lee has put a slow start behind him and is now 9-5 with a 2.66 ERA. If Cliff continues to pitch at this level I think he will be the unanimous ace of this staff when it's all said and done.

As of right now Hamels, Halladay and Lee are all pitching at an extremely high level and it is simply to close to call. I think the true test to see who the is the ace of the staff will be determined by whoever pitches the best in October. Whoever can buckle down and be lights out in the post season and bring this city a World Series will earn the title of ace.

Feel free to comment on who you feel is the ace of this staff.