This info is from the Hardball Times
| | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | AVE |
| MLB | 3.60 | 4.14 | 4.58 | 5.10 | 6.24 | 4.73 |
| PB | 3.24 | 3.73 | 4.12 | 4.59 | 5.62 | 4.26 |
They compiled the average ERA of every teams starters and the following numbers were made available for #1 - #5 starters. The numbers for PB were set at .90 of MLB's numbers based on less teams in our leagues. I compared my 4 real time teams to these:
PB 98 Real Time 1 Garden Grove Gunslingers 3.51, 3.61, 4.41, 4.53, 4.63 4.14 ave
PB 99 RealTime 1 So Cal Slammers 3.63, 3.83, 3.98, 4.63, 4.93 4.20 ave
PB 99 RealTime 2 Stanton Strikers 2.94, 4.51, 4.52, 4.82, 5.33 4.43 ave
PB 2000 Real Time 1 Stanton Sluggers 3.10, 3.65, 4.08, 4.52, 4.88 4.05 ave
The Stanton Strikers are the only team not going to the playoffs. The other three have good offensives to backup slightly above average staffs.
Remember that PB uses ROPS and LOPS(just to keep things basic), not ERA when figuring out the pitcher/batter matchups.
I will also note that I usually use a 4 man rotation with my 5th starter rotating in for #2-#4 depending on the lefty/righty matchups and find that my starters perform better this way as opposed to using a 5 man staff. Note you need 5 above average relievers for a 4 man rotation to work.
Bottom line is if your top 5 starters are worse then the chart above, making the playoffs is going to be very difficult. If they are better, you have taken the first step to making the playoffs next season.