Is a six-man rotation really that crazy for the Orioles?

I certainly understand why a five-man rotation is better than a six-man rotation if you have a dominant pitcher (the theory is you are giving your number pitcher innings to your sixth best starter), but the Orioles don't have one as of this time.

I took a look over their career numbers and Britton, Arrieta, Matusz, and Hunter all pitch better after five days of rest instead of four days of rest. With the addition of Chen and Wada (both pitched in six-man roations), maybe it's something the Orioles should consider. Guthrie is the only pitcher who pitches better with four days rest instead of five so maybe this is more reason to trade him before the season starts.

If the Orioles traded Guthrie, I could see a rotation of Britton, Chen, Arrieta, Wada, Matusz, and Hunter. It sounds crazy, but what do we really have to lose? If Britton or anyone else steps up and starts to pitch like an ace, you can always go back to five-man rotation.

Now, the bullpen will be the issue. Do you go with six relievers or seven? I'd say six relievers with two being long guys:
Johnson
Strop
Gregg
Phillips/Patton/Rapada
Simon
Eveland/Bergesen

It doesn't mean the Orioles need to do this for years to come, but maybe, with the addition of the Asian pitchers who are used to pitching every sixth day, and the fact that all of the Orioles young pitchers have shown to be better on five days rest instead of four, maybe just maybe this is crazy enough to work?

As it stands now, we no additions to the projected opening day lineup, it will be hard pressed to see the Orioles not finishing last in the AL East once again. So in that light, what do they have to lose? Sometimes you have to think outside the box to get a result that no one thought would happen.

Comments/Questions?
Visit the Orioles Hangout Message Board