San Francisco Giants all-time rotation: Which five starting pitchers make the cut?

Madison Bumgarner

Oct 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner heads to the dugout after retiring the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning in game one of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Ok. Hear me out.

As you’re reading this you’re probably thinking that either I’m a prisoner of the moment or I’ve only started watching baseball recently. But there’s a method to this madness.

First of all, this gives me a lefty. Mathewson and Marichal are great right handed options, but I needed a southpaw.

In addition to the opposite pitching hands, the demeanor contrast is frightening; Marichal, a fiery controversial figure, followed by Bumgarner’s silent, unflappable attitude is such a fascinating 1-2 punch. Also, snot rockets!

Lastly, the pitching itself. Bumgarner’s career 3.05 earned run average doesn’t necessarily scream out “top three spot in All-Time Rotation,” however over the last two years, MadBum has had an ERA of 2.98 and 2.77 respectively. His career WHIP is 1.134 and he averages a little over 8 strikeouts per 9 innings which is fourth best in franchise history.

Bum’s postseason heroics is, by now, extremely well-documented. The man can pitch and he can pitch big games as if they were a bullpen session during Spring Training. He has ice in his veins and he’s virtually unstoppable. Though you probably know this by now, it’s just fun to mention that he has a 0.25 ERA in the World Series with a 4-0 record. 0.25. Think about that. Let that marinate. At 21 years and 91 days, Bumgarner pitched 8 shutout innings on the road against a potent offense. That’s why he’s third on my rotation.

(Also, if you’re questioning how awesome this dude is, please watch the video above. Several times.)