Ok let's look at this rotation again, piece by piece:
1. Yordano. Yeah he's 2-2 with a 4.94 ERA, but so far in 2015 he's on pace to have a better WHIP, and opponents average than what he had in 2014. His K/9 so far is 6.59 vs 7.82 in 2014, but the big difference so far is home runs. He quits giving up bombs and he'll be the Yordano we know. He's giving them up twice as often this year as he did last year. His walks rate is identical to 2014. I think he's fine. Keep the intensity, don't provoke people, and he's going to have games where he dominates.
2. Volquez. The blister thing is weird, so we're giving yesterday a mulligan. From what I've seen, he's going to be the most consistent guy on this staff, he's getting ahead of hitters, and getting Ks when he needs them. Right now his BB/9 is 3.4 (including that garbage from yesterday) and last year he was 3.3. If he truly is healthy, he's going to continue to trust his defense and throw strikes and be a reliable guy. Not Cy Young material, but someone who you'd feel confident starting a Game 2 of the ALDS.
3. Vargas. Oh Vargy. Every measurable pitching stat is down from last year HOWEVER his outing on Tuesday should give us reason to hope. Still had 2 walks, gave up a homer, but only gave up 1 other hit. Vargas can't walk guys. He just can't. It will kill him. Duffy and Ventura can get a K when they have men on and get out of trouble, but I'm less confident in Vargas' ability to get a K now than ever before. If he limits walks, he'll be fine all season IMO. Gordon/Cain/(Orlando/Dyson/Rios)/Hos/Moose/Escobar are a great asset to have behind you. What we really need from him, is innings though. He has yet to pitch 7 innings in a game. We NEED the veteran starters to have games where we're not doing what we did yesterday, exhausting the pen for a W. Last year this guy threw 187 innings. SD has brought up how big BGJ was with this. Last year BGJ threw 227, Guts 202, and Vargas 187. Vargas needs to get in the 180 range again IMO.
4. Duffy. This is the most worrisome guy to me. He can be great, he can suck. Right now he leads the league in Wild Pitches. He threw 149 innings last year at 2.53. I'd take a higher ERA, say around 3.20 or 3.40, and get 170 innings and be thrilled. I just don't know what to think about what we should expect from him.
5. Guts - He sucks. Pray we get 2012 Luis Mendoza's numbers. (166 innings, 4.23 ERA 104 K's 59 BB's). I'm afraid this is going to get ugly. A day game tomorrow in Detroit just terrifies me. This could be Kyle Davies-ish.
Here's the good part though. I think we'll upgrade here as the season progresses. Our bullpen is better than even last year (remember Aaron Crow?) and the Glass family is continuing to show they'll spend when its needed. Chris Young IMO will be a fine upgrade, and if we make a trade, we're back to a pennant contender.
Go Royals.
