A dependable five-man starting staff gives a team a chance to win every time one of its starters takes the hill.

Long losing streaks are avoided because a good group of starting pitchers is likely to have at least one pitcher stop a losing streak when his turn comes up in the rotation.

Another benefit of having starting pitchers that can go into the seventh inning, or later, is a club can get by with three reliable relief pitchers rather than needing a group of five in the 'pen to close a game.

Are the top teams in Baseball this season the ones with the best starting pitching?

In the AL West, the best potential staff belongs to the Los Angeles Angels.

The Halos are patiently waiting for the return of John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Ervin Santana from the disabled list. The club suffered a serious blow this week both on the field and off with the tragic death of young Nick Adenhart. The young man shined in his season debut against the A's before a senseless traffic accident took his life and those of his two friends, only hours after the game's conclusion.

With Dustin Moseley, Joe Saunders, Shane Loux and Jered Weaver now rounding out the staff, the Angels are not as once feared, due to more of a reliance on a revamped 'pen, which has not looked solid during the first week of the campaign.

Seattle led by Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva, and Ryan Rowland-Smith actually might be the most balanced group in the West.

If the Mariners solve some questions in the 'pen, this staff will win its share of games.

Texas is still a work in progress, not withstanding the fine effort on opening day from righty Kevin Millwood. Brandon McCarthy and Vicente Padilla are six-inning pitchers at best, while Matt Harrison and Kris Benson are merely holding spots in the rotation until better pitchers are available in the Rangers' farm system.

The A's rotation has the most questions because one does not know how rookies Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson will fare under the bright lights of major league ball. Dallas Braden, Dana Eveland, and Josh Outman, as of yet. don't inspire confidence when they start a game.

Best rotation in the West: The Angels by a slight margin over the Mariners.

In the AL Central, the Twins' starters are the most reliable. Ron Gardenhire's staff doesn't walk many opposing hitters. Minnesota's group gives the Twins a chance to win each game.

Mark Buehrle, John Danks and Gavin Floyd lead the White Sox staff. This trio is excellent, with Danks and Floyd both pitching well in their first starts. Veterans Bartolo Colon (great first game) and Jose Contreras are keys to this staff surpassing the Twins' starting five.

Detroit has potential with Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Armando Galarraga are three very capable pitchers. Rookie Rick Porcello and Zach Miner are huge question marks for manager Jim Leyland.

Kansas City is very strong in three spots with Zack Greinke, Gil Meche and the emerging Kyle Davies. The other two spots are very shaky with Sidney Ponson and Horacio Ramirez.

Cleveland is off to its worst start in years mainly due to lack of effective starting pitching. Cliff Lee hasn't been close to last year's Cy Young form. Fausto Carmona is still not looking like the 19-game winner of 2007. Carl Pavano gave up nine runs in the first inning of his initial start of 2009.

Best in the Central: Minnesota, with Chicago a close second.

In the AL East:

The Yankees, Red Sox and Rays all start a pitcher that has a chance to dominate that day's action.

Once David Price returns from Triple-A, the Rays will be a solid group. Matt Garza, Scott Kazmir, Andy Sonnanstine and James Shields are legitimate front of the rotation pitchers.

New York will be tough to beat once CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Chein-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlin find their groove.

Boston has strength with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield and fifth starter Brad Penny facing the opposition each game.

Toronto has Roy Halladay and many questions. Baltimore has Jeremy Guthrie and even more questions.

Best in the AL East: The Yankees.

In the NL East, Atlanta finally has some starting pitching led by Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens, Kenshin Kawakami and Tom Glavine, if he is healthy.

The Phillies have to be concerned about the health of World Series hero Cole Hamels, whose elbow is not right. Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and Brett Myers all had horrible first starts.

The Marlins will contend because their starters keep them in the game. Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Ricky Nolasco and Andrew Miller aren't household names just yet, but check back in July.

The Mets have the league's best pitcher in Johan Santana. After Santana the rotation becomes less reliable. Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, and Livan Hernandez are mysteries every time they take the mound.

Washington's opening week (0-5) speaks for itself.

Best starting staff in the NL East: Believe it or not, the Florida Marlins.

In the NL Central, Cubs manager Lou Piniella has to enjoy writing his starting pitchers name on the line up card each day. Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Rich Harden and Sean Marshall as a group may win 75 games this season.

The Brewers are underrated. David Bush throws a nice assortment of breaking pitches. Youngsters Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra are learning on the job. Braden Looper and Jeff Suppan can give Ken Macha six good innings more often than not.

Cincinnati must be watched with Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez on the mound. Fifth starter Micah Owings can hit, but can he pitch effectively?

St. Louis got a tremendous boost with the return of Chris Carpenter. Adam Wainwright, Joel Pineiro, Todd Wellemyer and Kyle Lohse must be respected.

Pittsburgh can win some games behind lefty Paul Maholm. Righty Ross Ohlendorf, formerly with the Yankees, has shown some potential.

Houston has Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, and many more questions on its staff.

Best in the NL Central: The Cubs. But this race is closer than people think because of the overall strength of the division's starting pitching.

In the NL West, the Giants have a very intriguing staff. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez should have big seasons. Randy Johnson and Barry Zito give manager Bruce Bochy significant innings on the hill.

Arizona has reason for concern with Brandon Webb's sore arm. Dan Haren, Jon Garland (nice first start), Doug Davis and Max Scherzer form a good group.

The Dodgers have Hiroki Kuroda (on the DL), Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley as their first four. James McDonald (hit hard in Arizona) and Eric Stults are competing for the fifth spot. This starting staff is a huge question for LA.

Colorado had a nice first week, getting excellent starts from Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales (sent to AAA) and Jason Marquis. Aaron Cook should be fine, too. Lefty Jorge De La Rosa is a gamble.

San Diego has two top starters in Jake Peavy and Chris Young. After that, they are best described as a team with heart.

Best in the NL West: The Giants .

What does good starting pitching guarantee?

Only that your team will be in most games, with a real chance to win.

Your team better have a good bullpen, because you can't win without one. Your team better be good defensively, too.

Don't be fazed by early season rotation troubles. It does take some time before a pitching staff settlers into its routine.

If you have five good starters, you are in great shape because Baseball is a marathon covering six long months of action.

When it's all said and done, the teams that pitch the best usually are the leaders in the standings.

Starting pitching sets the tone for the game. Always has, and always will.

Let's check in September and see if the teams with the most consistent starting pitching are leading their divisions.

I'll say they will.