Fan trash talk: The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies have the best rotation in MLB history (Associated Content)

There's usually room for argument when debating who has the best rotation in the MLB. Truth is, there's no way of determining this, really, until the end of the season. But if there were ever a year that could have been determined before opening day, it'd be this one. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton. It's a rotation that if rambled off by some crazed fan maybe three years ago, the fan would be criticized as a man who lives in video game world -- possibly even a man who doesn't know anything about baseball.

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Fan’s take: Why the Baltimore Orioles have the best pitching rotation (Associated Content)

Much has been made of the Baltimore Orioles' woes over the past several seasons, but one area they are a step above the rest is young talent, especially in their starting rotation. Much has been made of the Philadelphia Phillies rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, and Joe Blanton, but the Orioles are no slouches no the mound. Here's why: Age The Orioles rotation of Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen, and Chris Tillman are much younger than the Phillies rotation.

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Fan’s take: These are the best pitching rotations in MLB history (Associated Content)

The Philadelphia Phillies may have one of the deadliest starting rotations in Major League Baseball in 2011. Roy Hallady, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton may make the Phillies unstoppable this year. How will they rank within some of the greatest pitching rotations of all time? Try these on for size: St. Louis Cardinals, 1934 The St. Louis Cardinals won the 1934 World Series over the Detroit Tigers. As part of the Gashouse Gang, the starting five won 85 games versus only 45 losses.

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Hamels allows 1 unearned run over 2 innings (AP)

Cole Hamels allowed one unearned run over two innings in his first spring training start to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday. The lone hit off Hamels was a two-out double in the second by Francisco Cervelli that tied it 1-1. The left-hander struck out two, walked one and hit a batter during his 33-pitch outing.

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Nothing but expectations for Philly’s Fab Four (Yahoo! Sports)

Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee are joined by Joe Blanton to form a dominant staff.

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Giants, Lincecum unable to close out Phillies (AP)

Atlanta Braves starter Derek Lowe(notes) delivers a pitch during the first inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010.

Roy Halladay outdueled pitcher Tim Lincecum to keep Philadelphia alive with a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night that pulled the Phillies within 3-2 in the National League championship series. Jayson Werth homered for an insurance run in the ninth, Placido Polanco hit an RBI single and the two-time reigning NL champions forced a Game 6 back home in Citizens Bank Park on...


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Hamels, Phillies sweep Reds, reach NLCS (The Canadian Press)

CINCINNATI - Cole Hamels pumped his fist when it was over, and the Philadelphia Phillies celebrated with a few chest bumps and a handshake line before returning to the clubhouse for more champagne.

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How can Oswalt top Halladay now? (AP)

Top that. Long before Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseason history, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels talked about Philadelphia's three aces always trying to outdo each other. Halladay set the bar high with a brilliant performance in the Phillies' 4-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the NL division series on Wednesday.

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