This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.
Let's start with the good news. Buoyed by three doubleheaders, there are a season-high 100 games on the docket, featuring a bountiful 37 two-start option.
The bad news is the quality of the double-dippers is lacking. Although, depending on your perspective, it may be beneficial if you're trying to make up ground on the pitching ledger as your opponents won't be able to extend the gap as much.
Something to keep in mind is barring a rainout pushed to Sept. 27, there are only two games on the slate that day, limiting the two-start options for the final week of the season.
Note: there are several double dippers in the 90-110 range. Deciding whether to take the chance is all about team needs and balancing categories.
As always, the probable pitchers are culled from the best Projected Starters grid on the planet. Ergo, please direct all rotation questions over there. If you have a query regarding a ranking, I'll be happy to address it below.
UPDATED: Monday September 20 1:45 AM ET
Week of Sept. 20-26
Mixed
| Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robbie Ray | TOR | @TB, @MIN | ERA estimators still trail Cole, but close enough to get my hypothetical AL Cy vote. |
| 2 | Alek Manoah | TOR | @TB, @MIN | |
| 3 | Joe Musgrove | SD | SF, ATL | 9 BB, 4 HR last 17.1 IP, needs to flip the script this week |
| 4 | Triston McKenzie | CLE | KC, CWS | 1.50 ERA and .61 WHIP with 20 K, 3 BB over last 18 IP |
Let's start with the good news. Buoyed by three doubleheaders, there are a season-high 100 games on the docket, featuring a bountiful 37 two-start option.
The bad news is the quality of the double-dippers is lacking. Although, depending on your perspective, it may be beneficial if you're trying to make up ground on the pitching ledger as your opponents won't be able to extend the gap as much.
Something to keep in mind is barring a rainout pushed to Sept. 27, there are only two games on the slate that day, limiting the two-start options for the final week of the season.
Note: there are several double dippers in the 90-110 range. Deciding whether to take the chance is all about team needs and balancing categories.
As always, the probable pitchers are culled from the best Projected Starters grid on the planet. Ergo, please direct all rotation questions over there. If you have a query regarding a ranking, I'll be happy to address it below.
UPDATED: Monday September 20 1:45 AM ET
Week of Sept. 20-26
Mixed
| Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robbie Ray | TOR | @TB, @MIN | ERA estimators still trail Cole, but close enough to get my hypothetical AL Cy vote. |
| 2 | Alek Manoah | TOR | @TB, @MIN | |
| 3 | Joe Musgrove | SD | SF, ATL | 9 BB, 4 HR last 17.1 IP, needs to flip the script this week |
| 4 | Triston McKenzie | CLE | KC, CWS | 1.50 ERA and .61 WHIP with 20 K, 3 BB over last 18 IP |
| 5 | Freddy Peralta | MIL | STL, NYM | Innings may be limited in one or both |
| 6 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | NYM | |
| 7 | Zack Wheeler | PHI | BAL | First to 200 IP |
| 8 | Carlos Rodon | CWS | @DET, @CLE | |
| 9 | Huascar Ynoa | ATL | @ARI, @SD | |
| 10 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | PIT, WAS | |
| 11 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | STL | |
| 12 | Max Scherzer | LAD | @COL | |
| 13 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | @OAK, @LAA | 7-0 with a 2.53 ERA and .99 WHIP in 11 starts since the break |
| 14 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | @TB | 1.93 ERA, .60 WHIP with 27 K and 1 BB over last 23.1 IP |
| 15 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | @ARI | |
| 16 | Adam Wainwright | STL | @MIL | |
| 17 | Lance Lynn | CWS | @CLE | |
| 18 | Aaron Nola | PHI | PIT | HR have been an issue all season |
| 19 | Sonny Gray | CIN | WAS | |
| 20 | Charlie Morton | ATL | @ARI | |
| 21 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | @BOS | |
| 22 | Luis Castillo | CIN | PIT | |
| 23 | Lance McCullers Jr. | HOU | @LAA | |
| 24 | Shohei Ohtani | LAA | SEA | |
| 25 | Kevin Gausman | SF | @SD, @COL | |
| 26 | Sean Manaea | OAK | SEA, HOU | Tough matchups, but 21 K with just 2 BB over last 19 IP |
| 27 | Ranger Suarez | PHI | BAL, PIT | |
| 28 | John Means | BAL | @PHI, TEX | |
| 29 | Julio Urias | LAD | @COL, @ARI | |
| 30 | Shane Bieber | CLE | CWS | Good to see him back |
| 31 | Framber Valdez | HOU | @LAA, @OAK | Assuming cut on his finger has healed |
| 32 | Jose Berrios | TOR | @MIN | |
| 33 | Cal Quantrill | CLE | KC | |
| 34 | Chris Sale | BOS | NYM | |
| 35 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | @CLE | |
| 36 | Shane McClanahan | TB | MIA | |
| 37 | Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | NYY | |
| 38 | Chris Bassitt | OAK | SEA | Assuming he doesn't need a rehab start |
| 39 | Nestor Cortes | NYY | TEX, @BOS | |
| 40 | Jose Urquidy | HOU | @LAA | |
| 41 | Logan Webb | SF | @SD | 11 straight games with at least 6 IP, including 10 QS |
| 42 | Max Fried | ATL | @SD | |
| 43 | Yu Darvish | SD | ATL | |
| 44 | Marcus Stroman | NYM | @BOS | |
| 45 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | NYM, NYY | New York, New York |
| 46 | Zack Greinke | HOU | @OAK | |
| 47 | Chris Flexen | SEA | @OAK | |
| 48 | Luis Garcia | HOU | @LAA | |
| 49 | Elieser Hernandez | MIA | WAS | |
| 50 | Corey Kluber | NYY | TEX | |
| 51 | Frankie Montas | OAK | HOU | |
| 52 | Zach Plesac | CLE | CWS | |
| 53 | Kyle Gibson | PHI | PIT | ERA correction in full force |
| 54 | Eric Lauer | MIL | NYM | |
| 55 | Trevor Rogers | MIA | WAS | |
| 56 | Tyler Anderson | SEA | @OAK, @LAA | |
| 57 | Logan Gilbert | SEA | @LAA | |
| 58 | Jake Odorizzi | HOU | @OAK | |
| 59 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | TEX, @BOS | |
| 60 | Adrian Houser | MIL | STL | |
| 61 | Alex Wood | SF | @SD | |
| 62 | Vladimir Gutierrez | CIN | PIT, WAS | Prime matchups |
| 63 | Madison Bumgarner | ARI | ATL | |
| 64 | Tarik Skubal | DET | KC | |
| 65 | Bryce Elder | ATL | @ARI, @SD | |
| 66 | Carlos Carrasco | NYM | @MIL | |
| 67 | Edward Cabrera | MIA | @TB | |
| 68 | Walker Buehler | LAD | @COL | |
| 69 | Alex Cobb | LAA | HOU | |
| 70 | Zac Gallen | ARI | LAD | |
| 71 | Josiah Gray | WAS | @MIA | |
| 72 | Tony Gonsolin | LAD | @ARI | |
| 73 | Erick Fedde | WAS | @MIA, @CIN | Good option if you need whiffs, but puts ratios at risk |
| 74 | Aaron Civale | CLE | CWS | |
| 75 | Joe Ryan | MIN | @CHC | |
| 76 | Taijuan Walker | NYM | @MIL | |
| 77 | Dylan Cease | CWS | @CLE | |
| 78 | Cole Irvin | OAK | SEA | |
| 79 | Casey Mize | DET | CWS | |
| 80 | Rich Hill | NYM | @MIL | |
| 81 | Luis Patino | TB | MIA | |
| 82 | Jose Suarez | LAA | SEA | |
| 83 | Drew Rasmussen | TB | TOR | |
| 84 | James Kaprielian | OAK | HOU | |
| 85 | Mix 12 Reliever | |||
| 86 | Ian Anderson | ATL | @ARI | |
| 87 | Miles Mikolas | STL | @MIL | |
| 88 | Francisco Perez | CLE | KC | |
| 89 | Nick Pivetta | BOS | NYY | |
| 90 | Carlos Hernandez | KC | @CLE | 10 BB over last 16 IP, but good matchups, albeit on the road |
| 91 | Mix 15 Reliever | |||
| 92 | Dallas Keuchel | CWS | @DET, @CLE | |
| 93 | Taylor Hearn | TEX | @NYY | |
| 94 | Yusei Kikuchi | SEA | @OAK | |
| 95 | Michael Pineda | MIN | TOR | |
| 96 | Brett Anderson | MIL | STL | |
| 97 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | MIN | |
| 98 | Wade Miley | CIN | WAS | |
| 99 | Shane Baz | TB | TOR | |
| 100 | Jon Lester | STL | @MIL, @CHC | |
| 101 | Alec Mills | CHC | MIN, STL | |
| 102 | Paolo Espino | WAS | @CIN | |
| 103 | Josh Rogers | WAS | @MIA, @CIN | |
| 104 | Matt Manning | DET | CWS, KC | |
| 105 | Zac Lowther | BAL | TEX | |
| 106 | Luke Weaver | ARI | ATL | |
| 107 | A.J. Alexy | TEX | @NYY, @BAL | |
| 108 | Brady Singer | KC | @CLE, @DET | |
| 109 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | @DET | |
| 110 | Nabil Crismatt | SD | SF | |
| 111 | Wily Peralta | DET | KC | |
| 112 | Jesus Luzardo | MIA | WAS, @TB | |
| 113 | Jaime Barria | LAA | HOU, SEA | |
| 114 | Paul Blackburn | OAK | SEA | |
| 115 | Jake Woodford | STL | @MIL, @CHC | |
| 116 | Eli Morgan | CLE | CWS | |
| 117 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | ATL | |
| 118 | Dakota Hudson | STL | @CHC | |
| 119 | Michael Wacha | TB | TOR | |
| 120 | Dane Dunning | TEX | @NYY | |
| 121 | Humberto Mejia | ARI | ATL, LAD | |
| 122 | Tylor Megill | NYM | @BOS | |
| 123 | Jordan Lyles | TEX | @BAL | |
| 124 | Vince Velasquez | SD | SF | |
| 125 | Ryan Yarbrough | TB | MIA | |
| 126 | Bailey Ober | MIN | TOR | |
| 127 | Logan Allen | CLE | KC | |
| 128 | J.A. Happ | STL | @CHC | |
| 129 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | @CIN | |
| 130 | Steven Matz | TOR | @MIN | |
| 131 | Anthony DeSclafani | SF | @COL | |
| 132 | Zach Davies | CHC | STL | |
| 133 | Ross Stripling | TOR | @TB | |
| 134 | Kris Bubic | KC | @DET | |
| 135 | Tyler Alexander | DET | CWS | |
| 136 | Justin Steele | CHC | STL | |
| 137 | Griffin Jax | MIN | @CHC, TOR | |
| 138 | Spencer Howard | TEX | @BAL | |
| 139 | Mitch Keller | PIT | @CIN, @PHI | |
| 140 | Packy Naughton | LAA | HOU | |
| 141 | Adonis Medina | PHI | BAL, PIT | |
| 142 | Jon Gray | COL | SF | |
| 143 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | LAD, SF | |
| 144 | German Marquez | COL | LAD | |
| 145 | Daniel Lynch | KC | @CLE | |
| 146 | Kolby Allard | TEX | @BAL | |
| 147 | Humberto Castellanos | ARI | LAD | |
| 148 | Adrian Sampson | CHC | STL | |
| 149 | Max Kranick | PIT | @PHI | |
| 150 | Dillon Peters | PIT | @CIN, @PHI | |
| 151 | Jake Arrieta | SD | ATL | |
| 152 | Janson Junk | LAA | HOU | |
| 153 | Charlie Barnes | MIN | TOR | |
| 154 | Chris Ellis | BAL | @PHI, TEX | |
| 155 | Keegan Akin | BAL | @PHI | |
| 156 | Wil Crowe | PIT | @CIN | |
| 157 | Alexander Wells | BAL | TEX | |
| 158 | Jackson Kowar | KC | @DET | |
| 159 | Jose Quintana | SF | @COL | |
| 160 | Ervin Santana | KC | @CLE | |
| 161 | Kyle Freeland | COL | LAD | |
| 162 | Connor Overton | PIT | @PHI | |
| 163 | Peter Lambert | COL | SF |
American League
| Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robbie Ray | TOR | @TB, @MIN | ERA estimators still trail Cole, but close enough to get my hypothetical AL Cy vote. |
| 2 | Alek Manoah | TOR | @TB, @MIN | |
| 3 | Triston McKenzie | CLE | KC, CWS | 1.50 ERA and .61 WHIP with 20 K, 3 BB over last 18 IP |
| 4 | Carlos Rodon | CWS | @DET, @CLE | |
| 5 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | @OAK, @LAA | 7-0 with a 2.53 ERA and .99 WHIP in 11 starts since the break |
| 6 | Lance Lynn | CWS | @CLE | |
| 7 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | @BOS | |
| 8 | Lance McCullers Jr. | HOU | @LAA | |
| 9 | Shohei Ohtani | LAA | SEA | |
| 10 | Sean Manaea | OAK | SEA, HOU | Tough matchups, but 21 K with just 2 BB over last 19 IP |
| 11 | John Means | BAL | @PHI, TEX | |
| 12 | Shane Bieber | CLE | CWS | Good to see him back |
| 13 | Framber Valdez | HOU | @LAA, @OAK | Assuming cut on his finger has healed |
| 14 | Jose Berrios | TOR | @MIN | |
| 15 | Cal Quantrill | CLE | KC | |
| 16 | Chris Sale | BOS | NYM | |
| 17 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | @CLE | |
| 18 | Shane McClanahan | TB | MIA | |
| 19 | Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | NYY | |
| 20 | Chris Bassitt | OAK | SEA | Assuming he doesn't need a rehab start |
| 21 | Nestor Cortes | NYY | TEX, @BOS | |
| 22 | Jose Urquidy | HOU | @LAA | |
| 23 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | NYM, NYY | New York, New York |
| 24 | Zack Greinke | HOU | @OAK | |
| 25 | Chris Flexen | SEA | @OAK | |
| 26 | Luis Garcia | HOU | @LAA | |
| 27 | Corey Kluber | NYY | TEX | |
| 28 | Frankie Montas | OAK | HOU | |
| 29 | Zach Plesac | CLE | CWS | |
| 30 | Tyler Anderson | SEA | @OAK, @LAA | |
| 31 | Logan Gilbert | SEA | @LAA | |
| 32 | Jake Odorizzi | HOU | @OAK | |
| 33 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | TEX, @BOS | |
| 34 | Tarik Skubal | DET | KC | |
| 35 | Alex Cobb | LAA | HOU | |
| 36 | Aaron Civale | CLE | CWS | |
| 37 | Joe Ryan | MIN | @CHC | |
| 38 | Dylan Cease | CWS | @CLE | |
| 39 | Cole Irvin | OAK | SEA | |
| 40 | Casey Mize | DET | CWS | |
| 41 | Luis Patino | TB | MIA | |
| 42 | Jose Suarez | LAA | SEA | |
| 43 | Drew Rasmussen | TB | TOR | |
| 44 | James Kaprielian | OAK | HOU | |
| 45 | Francisco Perez | CLE | KC | |
| 46 | Nick Pivetta | BOS | NYY | |
| 47 | Carlos Hernandez | KC | @CLE | 10 BB over last 16 IP, but good matchups, albeit on the road |
| 48 | Dallas Keuchel | CWS | @DET, @CLE | |
| 49 | Taylor Hearn | TEX | @NYY | |
| 50 | Yusei Kikuchi | SEA | @OAK | |
| 51 | Michael Pineda | MIN | TOR | |
| 52 | Shane Baz | TB | TOR | |
| 53 | AL Reliever | |||
| 54 | Matt Manning | DET | CWS, KC | |
| 55 | Zac Lowther | BAL | TEX | |
| 56 | A.J. Alexy | TEX | @NYY, @BAL | |
| 57 | Brady Singer | KC | @CLE, @DET | |
| 58 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | @DET | |
| 59 | Wily Peralta | DET | KC | |
| 60 | Jaime Barria | LAA | HOU, SEA | |
| 61 | Paul Blackburn | OAK | SEA | |
| 62 | Eli Morgan | CLE | CWS | |
| 63 | Michael Wacha | TB | TOR | |
| 64 | Dane Dunning | TEX | @NYY | |
| 65 | Jordan Lyles | TEX | @BAL | |
| 66 | Ryan Yarbrough | TB | MIA | |
| 67 | Bailey Ober | MIN | TOR | |
| 68 | Logan Allen | CLE | KC | |
| 69 | Steven Matz | TOR | @MIN | |
| 70 | Ross Stripling | TOR | @TB | |
| 71 | Kris Bubic | KC | @DET | |
| 72 | Tyler Alexander | DET | CWS | |
| 73 | Griffin Jax | MIN | @CHC, TOR | |
| 74 | Spencer Howard | TEX | @BAL | |
| 75 | Packy Naughton | LAA | HOU | |
| 76 | Daniel Lynch | KC | @CLE | |
| 77 | Kolby Allard | TEX | @BAL | |
| 78 | Janson Junk | LAA | HOU | |
| 79 | Charlie Barnes | MIN | TOR | |
| 80 | Chris Ellis | BAL | @PHI, TEX | |
| 81 | Keegan Akin | BAL | @PHI | |
| 82 | Alexander Wells | BAL | TEX | |
| 83 | Jackson Kowar | KC | @DET | |
| 84 | Ervin Santana | KC | @CLE |
National League
| Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Musgrove | SD | SF, ATL | 9 BB, 4 HR last 17.1 IP, needs to flip the script this week |
| 2 | Freddy Peralta | MIL | STL, NYM | Innings may be limited in one or both |
| 3 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | NYM | |
| 4 | Zack Wheeler | PHI | BAL | First to 200 IP |
| 5 | Huascar Ynoa | ATL | @ARI, @SD | |
| 6 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | PIT, WAS | |
| 7 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | STL | |
| 8 | Max Scherzer | LAD | @COL | |
| 9 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | @TB | 1.93 ERA, .60 WHIP with 27 K and 1 BB over last 23.1 IP |
| 10 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | @ARI | |
| 11 | Adam Wainwright | STL | @MIL | |
| 12 | Aaron Nola | PHI | PIT | HR have been an issue all season |
| 13 | Sonny Gray | CIN | WAS | |
| 14 | Charlie Morton | ATL | @ARI | |
| 15 | Luis Castillo | CIN | PIT | |
| 16 | Kevin Gausman | SF | @SD, @COL | |
| 17 | Ranger Suarez | PHI | BAL, PIT | |
| 18 | Julio Urias | LAD | @COL, @ARI | |
| 19 | Logan Webb | SF | @SD | 11 straight games with at least 6 IP, including 10 QS |
| 20 | Max Fried | ATL | @SD | |
| 21 | Yu Darvish | SD | ATL | |
| 22 | Marcus Stroman | NYM | @BOS | |
| 23 | Elieser Hernandez | MIA | WAS | |
| 24 | Kyle Gibson | PHI | PIT | ERA correction in full force |
| 25 | Eric Lauer | MIL | NYM | |
| 26 | Trevor Rogers | MIA | WAS | |
| 27 | Adrian Houser | MIL | STL | |
| 28 | Alex Wood | SF | @SD | |
| 29 | Vladimir Gutierrez | CIN | PIT, WAS | Prime matchups |
| 30 | Madison Bumgarner | ARI | ATL | |
| 31 | Bryce Elder | ATL | @ARI, @SD | |
| 32 | Carlos Carrasco | NYM | @MIL | |
| 33 | Edward Cabrera | MIA | @TB | |
| 34 | Walker Buehler | LAD | @COL | |
| 35 | Zac Gallen | ARI | LAD | |
| 36 | Josiah Gray | WAS | @MIA | |
| 37 | Tony Gonsolin | LAD | @ARI | |
| 38 | Erick Fedde | WAS | @MIA, @CIN | Good option if you need whiffs, but puts ratios at risk |
| 39 | Taijuan Walker | NYM | @MIL | |
| 40 | Rich Hill | NYM | @MIL | |
| 41 | Ian Anderson | ATL | @ARI | |
| 42 | Miles Mikolas | STL | @MIL | |
| 43 | Brett Anderson | MIL | STL | |
| 44 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | MIN | |
| 45 | Wade Miley | CIN | WAS | |
| 46 | Jon Lester | STL | @MIL, @CHC | |
| 47 | NL Reliever | |||
| 48 | Alec Mills | CHC | MIN, STL | |
| 49 | Paolo Espino | WAS | @CIN | |
| 50 | Josh Rogers | WAS | @MIA, @CIN | |
| 51 | Luke Weaver | ARI | ATL | |
| 52 | Nabil Crismatt | SD | SF | |
| 53 | Jesus Luzardo | MIA | WAS, @TB | |
| 54 | Jake Woodford | STL | @MIL, @CHC | |
| 55 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | ATL | |
| 56 | Dakota Hudson | STL | @CHC | |
| 57 | Humberto Mejia | ARI | ATL, LAD | |
| 58 | Tylor Megill | NYM | @BOS | |
| 59 | Vince Velasquez | SD | SF | |
| 60 | J.A. Happ | STL | @CHC | |
| 61 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | @CIN | |
| 62 | Anthony DeSclafani | SF | @COL | |
| 63 | Zach Davies | CHC | STL | |
| 64 | Justin Steele | CHC | STL | |
| 65 | Mitch Keller | PIT | @CIN, @PHI | |
| 66 | Adonis Medina | PHI | BAL, PIT | |
| 67 | Jon Gray | COL | SF | |
| 68 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | LAD, SF | |
| 69 | German Marquez | COL | LAD | |
| 70 | Humberto Castellanos | ARI | LAD | |
| 71 | Adrian Sampson | CHC | STL | |
| 72 | Max Kranick | PIT | @PHI | |
| 73 | Dillon Peters | PIT | @CIN, @PHI | |
| 74 | Jake Arrieta | SD | ATL | |
| 75 | Wil Crowe | PIT | @CIN | |
| 76 | Jose Quintana | SF | @COL | |
| 77 | Kyle Freeland | COL | LAD | |
| 78 | Connor Overton | PIT | @PHI | |
| 79 | Peter Lambert | COL | SF |
