In today's MLB of launch angles and rising home run rates, pitching still wins championships.
Without a strong starting rotation to lean on when the October lights shine brightest, a manager can be forced to turn to openers and bullpen games with the season on the line, as we saw with a number of teams during the expanded 2020 postseason.
Upgrading a rotation is easier said than done this offseason since the free-agent market is extremely thin on pitching talent beyond National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer.
Still, there are several quality veteran arms available and a wealth of bounce-back candidates that could prove well worth a roll of the dice.