Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Down the Stretch They Come

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Updated on September 21, 2020 12:50AM EST

Well, friends, barring some extenuation circumstances, we made it. This final week comes with the usual caveats. Teams could shorten or skip the final outing if they're gearing up for the playoffs. Clubs playing out the string might shut their guys down early. With wins so tight this season, the category could decide many leagues the final week.

There's a good chance the Cardinals and Tigers will play Games 59 and 60 on Monday, Sept. 28. St. Louis is in a three-way tie at .500 for the last two NL playoff berths. The games will be played only if the postseason is on the line.

For the week of Sept. 21-27

UPDATED: Monday, September 21, 12:15 AM ET

MLB

Rank	Pitcher	TM	OPP
1	Gerrit Cole	NYY	@TOR, MIA	With playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short
2	Jacob deGrom	NYM	TB, @WAS	No playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy
3	Shane Bieber	CLE	CWS, PIT	Sunday start could be skipped
4	Dylan Bundy	LAA	TEX, @LAD	Two more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day
5	Luis Castillo	CIN	MIL, @MIN
6	German Marquez	COL	@SF, @ARI	Beatable offense on the road
7	Max Scherzer	WAS	NYM
8	Framber Valdez	HOU	@SEA, @TEX	In a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP
9	Aaron Civale	CLE	CWS, PIT	Control off lately, but overall solid campaign
10	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	@CIN, @STL	Facing two teams in a battle for

For the week of Sept. 21-27

UPDATED: Monday, September 21, 12:15 AM ET

MLB

Rank	Pitcher	TM	OPP
1	Gerrit Cole	NYY	@TOR, MIA	With playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short
2	Jacob deGrom	NYM	TB, @WAS	No playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy
3	Shane Bieber	CLE	CWS, PIT	Sunday start could be skipped
4	Dylan Bundy	LAA	TEX, @LAD	Two more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day
5	Luis Castillo	CIN	MIL, @MIN
6	German Marquez	COL	@SF, @ARI	Beatable offense on the road
7	Max Scherzer	WAS	NYM
8	Framber Valdez	HOU	@SEA, @TEX	In a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP
9	Aaron Civale	CLE	CWS, PIT	Control off lately, but overall solid campaign
10	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	@CIN, @STL	Facing two teams in a battle for last two NL playoff spots
11	Zack Greinke	HOU	@SEA
12	Zac Gallen	ARI	TEX
13	Blake Snell	TB	@NYM
14	Trevor Bauer	CIN	MIL
15	Adam Wainwright	STL	@KC, MIL	The remarkable renaissance continues.
16	Jesus Luzardo	OAK	@SEA
17	Kenta Maeda	MIN	DET
18	Mike Clevinger	SD	LAA	Finally finding groove since the deal
19	Lucas Giolito	CWS	@CLE
20	Yu Darvish	CHC	@CWS
21	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	LAA
22	Lance Lynn	TEX	HOU
23	Hyun-Jin Ryu	TOR	BAL
24	Jose Berrios	MIN	CIN
25	Zack Wheeler	PHI	@WAS, @TB	Didn't miss time with fingernail issue, but still could be a concern
26	Patrick Corbin	WAS	NYM
27	Corbin Burnes	MIL	@STL	3-0, .38 ERA, .76 WHIP with 38 K over last 23.2 IP
28	Frankie Montas	OAK	@LAD, SEA	Disappointing season getting worse down the stretch
29	Marco Gonzales	SEA	HOU, @OAK
30	Kyle Hendricks	CHC	@PIT
31	Brady Singer	KC	STL, DET	Quietly having strong rookie campaign
32	Michael Pineda	MIN	CIN	Pitching well since his return
33	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SEA
34	Charlie Morton	TB	PHI
35	Rich Hill	MIN	CIN
36	Aaron Nola	PHI	@WAS	Restored ace status, second start could be for playoff berth
37	Matt Shoemaker	TOR	NYY, BAL
38	Chris Paddack	SD	@SF	Sharper lately, 2.41 ERA, .96 WHIP with 21 K last 18.2 IP
39	Max Fried	ATL	MIA	Could be a preview of first round of playoffs
40	Walker Buehler	LAD	OAK
41	JT Brubaker	PIT	CHC, @CLE
42	Dane Dunning	CWS	@CLE, CHC	Pitching like he wants to be in playoff rotation
43	Cristian Javier	HOU	@TEX
44	Kyle Freeland	COL	@SF, @ARI	Should benefit from pair away from Coors
45	Randy Dobnak	MIN	DET
46	Jack Flaherty	STL	@MIL	Looked back on track, then… POOF
47	Tyler Glasnow	TB	@NYM
48	Jordan Montgomery	NYY	MIA
49	Alec Mills	CHC	@PIT	No hitter nice, but 37 K in 52.2 IP says keep expectations in check
50	Sonny Gray	CIN	MIL, @MIN	Terrible before IL stint, hoping for one start before possible playoff series
51	Kevin Gausman	SF	COL
52	Carlos Carrasco	CLE	PIT
53	Brad Keller	KC	DET	Only 3 K last two starts, spanning 15.2 IP
54	Dinelson Lamet	SD	@SF
55	Ian Anderson	ATL	MIA	Making a play for playoff rotation
56	Kyle Gibson	TEX	@LAA, HOU
57	Dustin May	LAD	OAK, LAA
58	Jose Urquidy	HOU	@TEX
59	Jordan Lyles	TEX	@ARI, HOU
60	Lance McCullers	HOU	@SEA, @TEX
61	Masahiro Tanaka	NYY	@TOR	5 HR last 28.1 IP, though with limited damage
62	Zach Plesac	CLE	CWS	Showing early success wasn't a fluke
63	Kyle Cody	TEX	HOU
64	Reynaldo Lopez	CWS	@CLE, CHC
65	Julio Urias	LAD	OAK
66	Andrew Heaney	LAA	@LAD	Only 4 HR in 56 IP after 20 in 95.1 last season
67	Casey Mize	DET	@MIN	Lined up for Monday, Sept 28 if necessary
68	Nick Margevicius	SEA	HOU
69	Alex Cobb	BAL	@BOS
70	Ryan Yarbrough	TB	PHI
71	Luke Weaver	ARI	COL
72	Zach Eflin	PHI	@WAS
73	Nathan Eovaldi	BOS	BAL
74	Ryan Rolison	COL	@ARI
75	Caleb Smith	ARI	TEX, COL
76	Danny Duffy	KC	STL
77	Carlos Hernandez	KC	STL, DET
78	Josh Fleming	TB	@NYM, PHI
79	Justin Dunn	SEA	@OAK
80	Luis Patino	SD	SF
81	Austin Voth	WAS	PHI, NYM
82	Tarik Skubal	DET	@MIN, @KC
83	John Means	BAL	@TOR
84	Triston McKenzie	CLE	CWS
85	Daniel Ponce de Leon	STL	MIL
86	Deivi Garcia	NYY	MIA
87	Anibal Sanchez	WAS	PHI, NYM
88	Michael King	NYY	@TOR
89	Dylan Cease	CWS	CHC
90	Joe Musgrove	PIT	@CLE
91	Justus Sheffield	SEA	OAK
92	Robbie Ray	TOR	NYY
93	Sean Manaea	OAK	@LAD	Finishing strong, just in time for the playoffs
94	Kwang Hyun Kim	STL	MIL
95	Adrian Houser	MIL	@CIN
96	Madison Bumgarner	ARI	COL
97	Taijuan Walker	TOR	BAL
98	Griffin Canning	LAA	@SD
99	Yusei Kikuchi	SEA	@OAK
100	Sixto Sanchez	MIA	@ATL
101	Daulton Jefferies	OAK	SEA
102	Nick Pivetta	BOS	BAL, @ATL	Warning, rabbit hole ahead
103	Josh Lindblom	MIL	STL
104	Tyler Anderson	SF	SD
105	Dean Kremer	BAL	@BOS
106	Ljay Newsome	SEA	HOU
107	Cole Hamels	ATL	MIA, BOS
108	Chris Mazza	BOS	@ATL
109	Dallas Keuchel	CWS	@CLE
110	Keegan Akin	BAL	@BOS, @TOR
111	Drew Smyly	SF	COL, SD
112	Vince Velasquez	PHI	@TB
113	Daniel Norris	DET	@KC
114	Spencer Turnbull	DET	@KC
115	Jon Lester	CHC	@PIT, @CWS
116	Mike Fiers	OAK	@LAD
117	Martin Perez	BOS	BAL
118	Kyle Wright	ATL	BOS
119	Matthew Boyd	DET	@KC
120	Trevor Rogers	MIA	@ATL, @NYY
121	Trevor Williams	PIT	CHC
122	Seth Lugo	NYM	TB, @WAS
123	Tony Gonsolin	LAD	LAA
124	Austin Gomber	STL	@KC, MIL
125	Carlos Martinez	STL	@KC	Could get a second start on Mon Sep 28
126	J.A. Happ	NYY	@TOR
127	Antonio Senzatela	COL	@ARI
128	Jose Quintana	CHC	@PIT, @CWS
129	Johnny Cueto	SF	COL, SD
130	Zach Davies	SD	LAA, @SF
131	Steven Brault	PIT	CHC
132	Pablo Lopez	MIA	@ATL
133	Brett Anderson	MIL	@CIN, @STL
134	Kris Bubic	KC	DET
135	Huascar Ynoa	ATL	MIA, BOS
136	Sandy Alcantara	MIA	@NYY
137	Jorge Lopez	BAL	@TOR
138	Sterling Sharp	WAS	PHI
139	Jose Urena	MIA	@ATL, @NYY
140	Eric Lauer	MIL	@STL
141	Tyler Mahle	CIN	@MIN
142	Wes Benjamin	TEX	@ARI
143	Tanner Roark	TOR	NYY
144	Erick Fedde	WAS	PHI
145	Tanner Houck	BOS	@ATL
146	Steven Matz	NYM	TB
147	Mitch Keller	PIT	@CLE
148	Alex Young	ARI	COL
149	Logan Webb	SF	COL
150	Chase Anderson	TOR	NYY
151	Adonis Medina	PHI	@TB
152	Julio Teheran	LAA	@LAD
153	Ryan Castellani	COL	@SF
154	Chad Kuhl	PIT	CHC
155	Jeff Samardzija	SF	@SD
156	Jaime Barria	LAA	@SD
157	Chi Chi Gonzalez	COL	@SF
158	Rick Porcello	NYM	@WAS
159	JoJo Romero	PHI	@WAS
160	David Peterson	NYM	@WAS

American League

Rank	Pitcher	TM	OPP	Comment
1	Gerrit Cole	NYY	@TOR, MIA	With playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short
2	Shane Bieber	CLE	CWS, PIT	Sunday start could be skipped
3	Dylan Bundy	LAA	TEX, @LAD	Two more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day
4	Framber Valdez	HOU	@SEA, @TEX	In a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP
5	Aaron Civale	CLE	CWS, PIT	Control off lately, but overall solid campaign
6	Zack Greinke	HOU	@SEA
7	Blake Snell	TB	@NYM
8	Jesus Luzardo	OAK	@SEA
9	Kenta Maeda	MIN	DET
10	Lucas Giolito	CWS	@CLE
11	Lance Lynn	TEX	HOU
12	Hyun-Jin Ryu	TOR	BAL
13	Jose Berrios	MIN	CIN
14	Frankie Montas	OAK	@LAD, SEA	Disappointing season getting worse down the stretch
15	Marco Gonzales	SEA	HOU, @OAK
16	Brady Singer	KC	STL, DET	Quietly having strong rookie campaign
17	Michael Pineda	MIN	CIN	Pitching well since his return
18	Chris Bassitt	OAK	SEA
19	Charlie Morton	TB	PHI
20	Rich Hill	MIN	CIN
21	Matt Shoemaker	TOR	NYY, BAL
22	Dane Dunning	CWS	@CLE, CHC	Pitching like he wants to be in playoff rotation
23	Cristian Javier	HOU	@TEX
24	Randy Dobnak	MIN	DET
25	Tyler Glasnow	TB	@NYM
26	Jordan Montgomery	NYY	MIA
27	Carlos Carrasco	CLE	PIT
28	Brad Keller	KC	DET	Only 3 K last two starts, spanning 15.2 IP
29	Kyle Gibson	TEX	@LAA, HOU
30	Jose Urquidy	HOU	@TEX
31	Jordan Lyles	TEX	@ARI, HOU
32	Lance McCullers	HOU	@SEA, @TEX
33	Masahiro Tanaka	NYY	@TOR	5 HR last 28.1 IP, though with limited damage
34	Zach Plesac	CLE	CWS	Showing early success wasn't a fluke
35	Kyle Cody	TEX	HOU
36	Reynaldo Lopez	CWS	@CLE, CHC
37	Andrew Heaney	LAA	@LAD	Only 4 HR in 56 IP after 20 in 95.1 last season
38	Casey Mize	DET	@MIN	Lined up for Monday, Sept 28 if necessary
39	Nick Margevicius	SEA	HOU
40	Alex Cobb	BAL	@BOS
41	Ryan Yarbrough	TB	PHI
42	Nathan Eovaldi	BOS	BAL
43	Danny Duffy	KC	STL
44	Carlos Hernandez	KC	STL, DET
45	Josh Fleming	TB	@NYM, PHI
46	Justin Dunn	SEA	@OAK
47	Tarik Skubal	DET	@MIN, @KC
48	John Means	BAL	@TOR
49	Triston McKenzie	CLE	CWS
50	Deivi Garcia	NYY	MIA
51	Michael King	NYY	@TOR
52	Dylan Cease	CWS	CHC
53	Justus Sheffield	SEA	OAK
54	Robbie Ray	TOR	NYY
55	Sean Manaea	OAK	@LAD	Finishing strong, just in time for the playoffs
56	Taijuan Walker	TOR	BAL
57	Griffin Canning	LAA	@SD
58	Yusei Kikuchi	SEA	@OAK
59	Daulton Jefferies	OAK	SEA
60	Nick Pivetta	BOS	BAL, @ATL	Warning, rabbit hole ahead
61	Dean Kremer	BAL	@BOS
62	Ljay Newsome	SEA	HOU
63	Chris Mazza	BOS	@ATL
64	Dallas Keuchel	CWS	@CLE
65	Keegan Akin	BAL	@BOS, @TOR
66	Daniel Norris	DET	@KC
67	Spencer Turnbull	DET	@KC
68	Mike Fiers	OAK	@LAD
69	Martin Perez	BOS	BAL
70	Matthew Boyd	DET	@KC
71	J.A. Happ	NYY	@TOR
72	Kris Bubic	KC	DET
73	Jorge Lopez	BAL	@TOR
74	Wes Benjamin	TEX	@ARI
75	Tanner Roark	TOR	NYY
76	Tanner Houck	BOS	@ATL
77	Chase Anderson	TOR	NYY
78	Julio Teheran	LAA	@LAD
79	Jaime Barria	LAA	@SD

National League

Rank	Pitcher	TM	OPP	Comment
1	Jacob deGrom	NYM	TB, @WAS	No playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy
2	Luis Castillo	CIN	MIL, @MIN
3	German Marquez	COL	@SF, @ARI	Beatable offense on the road
4	Max Scherzer	WAS	NYM
5	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	@CIN, @STL	Facing two teams in a battle for last two NL playoff spots
6	Zac Gallen	ARI	TEX
7	Trevor Bauer	CIN	MIL
8	Adam Wainwright	STL	@KC, MIL	The remarkable renaissance continues.
9	Mike Clevinger	SD	LAA	Finally finding groove since the deal
10	Yu Darvish	CHC	@CWS
11	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	LAA
12	Zack Wheeler	PHI	@WAS, @TB	Didn't miss time with fingernail issue, but still could be a concern
13	Patrick Corbin	WAS	NYM
14	Corbin Burnes	MIL	@STL	3-0, .38 ERA, .76 WHIP with 38 K over last 23.2 IP
15	Kyle Hendricks	CHC	@PIT
16	Aaron Nola	PHI	@WAS	Restored ace status, second start could be for playoff berth
17	Chris Paddack	SD	@SF	Sharper lately, 2.41 ERA, .96 WHIP with 21 K last 18.2 IP
18	Max Fried	ATL	MIA	Could be a preview of first round of playoffs
19	Walker Buehler	LAD	OAK
20	JT Brubaker	PIT	CHC, @CLE
21	Kyle Freeland	COL	@SF, @ARI	Should benefit from pair away from Coors
22	Jack Flaherty	STL	@MIL	Looked back on track, then… POOF
23	Alec Mills	CHC	@PIT	No hitter nice, but 37 K in 52.2 IP says keep expectations in check
24	Sonny Gray	CIN	MIL, @MIN	Terrible before IL stint, hoping for one start before possible playoff series
25	Kevin Gausman	SF	COL
26	Dinelson Lamet	SD	@SF
27	Ian Anderson	ATL	MIA	Making a play for playoff rotation
28	Dustin May	LAD	OAK, LAA
29	Julio Urias	LAD	OAK
30	Luke Weaver	ARI	COL
31	Zach Eflin	PHI	@WAS
32	Ryan Rolison	COL	@ARI
33	Caleb Smith	ARI	TEX, COL
34	Luis Patino	SD	SF
35	Austin Voth	WAS	PHI, NYM
36	Daniel Ponce de Leon	STL	MIL
37	Anibal Sanchez	WAS	PHI, NYM
38	Joe Musgrove	PIT	@CLE
39	Kwang Hyun Kim	STL	MIL
40	Adrian Houser	MIL	@CIN
41	Madison Bumgarner	ARI	COL
42	Sixto Sanchez	MIA	@ATL
43	Josh Lindblom	MIL	STL
44	Tyler Anderson	SF	SD
45	Cole Hamels	ATL	MIA, BOS
46	Drew Smyly	SF	COL, SD
47	Vince Velasquez	PHI	@TB
48	Jon Lester	CHC	@PIT, @CWS
49	Kyle Wright	ATL	BOS
50	Trevor Rogers	MIA	@ATL, @NYY
51	Trevor Williams	PIT	CHC
52	Seth Lugo	NYM	TB, @WAS
53	Tony Gonsolin	LAD	LAA
54	Austin Gomber	STL	@KC, MIL
55	Carlos Martinez	STL	@KC	Could get a second start on Mon Sep 28
56	Antonio Senzatela	COL	@ARI
57	Jose Quintana	CHC	@PIT, @CWS
58	Johnny Cueto	SF	COL, SD
59	Zach Davies	SD	LAA, @SF
60	Steven Brault	PIT	CHC
61	Pablo Lopez	MIA	@ATL
62	Brett Anderson	MIL	@CIN, @STL
63	Huascar Ynoa	ATL	MIA, BOS
64	Sandy Alcantara	MIA	@NYY
65	Sterling Sharp	WAS	PHI
66	Jose Urena	MIA	@ATL, @NYY
67	Eric Lauer	MIL	@STL
68	Tyler Mahle	CIN	@MIN
69	Erick Fedde	WAS	PHI
70	Steven Matz	NYM	TB
71	Mitch Keller	PIT	@CLE
72	Alex Young	ARI	COL
73	Logan Webb	SF	COL
74	Adonis Medina	PHI	@TB
75	Ryan Castellani	COL	@SF
76	Chad Kuhl	PIT	CHC
77	Jeff Samardzija	SF	@SD
78	Chi Chi Gonzalez	COL	@SF
79	Rick Porcello	NYM	@WAS
80	JoJo Romero	PHI	@WAS
81	David Peterson	NYM	@WAS