This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.
The rankings are designed for scenarios just like this, helping you decide between a middle-of-the-road option with a double dip and a better hurler with just one start.
Please check the comments Sunday night for any significant movement in the rankings due to changes in the schedule.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPPONENT | COMMENT |
1 | Chris Sale | BOS | at CWS, at BAL | And it's not even close |
2 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. OAK, at KC | Last time out, threw 104 pitches first start after coming off DL |
3 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. OAK | |
4 | Luis Severino | NYY | at BAL, at TOR | Big test against powerful offenses with whiff potential |
5 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. NYY, vs. BOS | Which Bundy will show up? |
6 | Jake Odorizzi | TB | at SEA | |
7 | Jose Berrios | MIN | vs. HOU, at LAA | Astros a tough draw, but Berrios appears here to stay |
8 | Ervin Santana | MIN | at LAA | |
9 | Michael Fulmer | DET | vs. CWS | |
10 | Marco Estrada | TOR | vs. NYY | |
11 | David Price | BOS | at CWS, at BAL | Wasn't sharp in last rehab start, but did throw 94 pitches, which is more important |
12 | Yu Darvish | TEX | vs. HOU | |
13 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | at TEX | |
14 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | vs. CIN, vs. NYY | |
15 | Danny Salazar | CLE | vs. OAK | |
16 | Michael |
The rankings are designed for scenarios just like this, helping you decide between a middle-of-the-road option with a double dip and a better hurler with just one start.
Please check the comments Sunday night for any significant movement in the rankings due to changes in the schedule.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPPONENT | COMMENT |
1 | Chris Sale | BOS | at CWS, at BAL | And it's not even close |
2 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. OAK, at KC | Last time out, threw 104 pitches first start after coming off DL |
3 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. OAK | |
4 | Luis Severino | NYY | at BAL, at TOR | Big test against powerful offenses with whiff potential |
5 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. NYY, vs. BOS | Which Bundy will show up? |
6 | Jake Odorizzi | TB | at SEA | |
7 | Jose Berrios | MIN | vs. HOU, at LAA | Astros a tough draw, but Berrios appears here to stay |
8 | Ervin Santana | MIN | at LAA | |
9 | Michael Fulmer | DET | vs. CWS | |
10 | Marco Estrada | TOR | vs. NYY | |
11 | David Price | BOS | at CWS, at BAL | Wasn't sharp in last rehab start, but did throw 94 pitches, which is more important |
12 | Yu Darvish | TEX | vs. HOU | |
13 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | at TEX | |
14 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | vs. CIN, vs. NYY | |
15 | Danny Salazar | CLE | vs. OAK | |
16 | Michael Pineda | NYY | at TOR | |
17 | Alex Cobb | TB | at SEA | |
18 | Justin Verlander | DET | at KC | |
19 | JC Ramirez | LAA | vs. MIN | |
20 | Chris Archer | TB | at TEX | |
21 | Danny Duffy | KC | vs. CLE | |
22 | Sonny Gray | OAK | at CLE, vs. WAS | Maybe a little aggressive, but Gray has looked strong last two efforts |
23 | James Paxton | SEA | vs. COL | Rockies often struggle versus lefties on the road |
24 | Erasmo Ramirez | TB | at TEX, at SEA | Watch the schedule, chance he doesn't make second start |
25 | Ricky Nolasco | LAA | vs. ATL, vs. MIN | Two in run-suppressing Angels Stadium |
26 | Andrew Triggs | OAK | vs. WAS | Deceptive delivery getting it done |
27 | Matt Shoemaker | LAA | vs. MIN | Looks to be over early season scuffles |
28 | Lance McCullers | HOU | at TEX | |
29 | Drew Pomeranz | BOS | at CWS | Curve ball is looking sharp, but still hangs too many |
30 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | at BAL | |
31 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | vs. OAK, at KC | Inconsistent, but facing lesser lineups, despite A's power |
32 | Rick Porcello | BOS | at BAL | |
33 | Jason Vargas | KC | vs. CLE | |
34 | Jose Quintana | CWS | vs. BOS | |
35 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at BAL | |
36 | Martin Perez | TEX | vs. TB, vs. HOU | Allowing too many baserunners |
37 | Joe Biagini | TOR | vs. NYY | |
38 | Jesse Chavez | LAA | vs. ATL | |
39 | Ian Kennedy | KC | vs. DET | |
40 | Charlie Morton | HOU | at MIN, at TEX | Strikeouts great, but ratios in danger for road pair in hitter's parks |
41 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | at BAL, at TOR | Facing lots of righty power in homer friendly venues |
42 | Jason Hammel | KC | vs. DET, vs. CLE | |
43 | Adalberto Mejia | MIN | at LAA | |
44 | Christian Bergman | SEA | vs. TB | |
45 | Josh Tomlin | CLE | at KC | |
46 | A.J. Griffin | TEX | vs. TB | |
47 | Alex Meyer | LAA | vs. ATL, vs. MIN | |
48 | Matt Andriese | TB | at TEX | |
49 | Nick Martinez | TEX | vs. TB | |
50 | Sean Manaea | OAK | at CLE | |
51 | Chris Tillman | BAL | vs. NYY, vs. BOS | |
52 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | vs. CWS | |
53 | Jharel Cotton | OAK | at CLE | |
54 | Francisco Liriano | TOR | vs. NYY | |
55 | Daniel Norris | DET | at KC, vs. CWS | |
56 | Ariel Miranda | SEA | at COL, vs. TB | |
57 | Hector Santiago | MIN | vs. HOU | |
58 | Alec Asher | BAL | vs. BOS | |
59 | CC Sabathia | NYY | at TOR | |
60 | Zach Neal | OAK | at CLE, vs. WAS | |
61 | Kevin Gausman | BAL | vs. NYY | |
62 | Yovani Gallardo | SEA | vs. COL | |
63 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | vs. HOU, at LAA | |
64 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. BOS | |
65 | Mike Fiers | HOU | at MIN | |
66 | Joe Musgrove | HOU | at MIN | |
67 | Miguel Gonzalez | CWS | at DET | |
68 | Sam Gaviglio | SEA | at COL, vs. TB | |
69 | Matt Boyd | DET | at KC | |
70 | T.J. House | TOR | vs. CIN | |
71 | Derek Holland | CWS | at DET | |
72 | Miguel Almonte | KC | vs. DET | |
73 | Mike Bolsinger | TOR | vs. CIN | |
74 | Wade Miley | BAL | vs. BOS | |
75 | Andrew Cashner | TEX | vs. HOU | |
76 | Dylan Covey | CWS | at DET | |
77 | Mike Pelfrey | CWS | vs. BOS |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rank | Pitcher | TEAM | Opponent(s) | Comments |
1 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | at SD, vs. STL | Two runs or fewer last six outings |
2 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | at MIL | |
3 | Tanner Roark | WAS | at SF, at OAK | Looked better last time, boosted by weak offenses in pitcher's parks |
4 | Max Scherzer | WAS | at SF | |
5 | Rich Hill | LAD | at STL, at MIL | Giving a pass after he allowed seven free passes to Cards |
6 | Julio Teheran | ATL | at LAA, at CIN | On the road for a pair, more importantly, facing limited number of tough LHB |
7 | Robbie Ray | ARI | at PIT, at MIA | Huge park upgrades with serious strikeout potential |
8 | Michael Wacha | STL | vs. LAD, at CHC | Wacha continues to be a pleasant surprise |
9 | Jon Lester | CHC | vs. STL | |
10 | Johnny Cueto | SF | at PHI | |
11 | Zack Greinke | ARI | at MIA | |
12 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at OAK | |
13 | Tyler Anderson | COL | vs. SEA, at SD | Holds platoon edge over most of the better Mariners |
14 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | vs. MIL | |
15 | Jake Arrieta | CHC | at SD | |
16 | Gerrit Cole | PIT | at NYM | |
17 | Joe Ross | WAS | at OAK | |
18 | Mike Leake | STL | vs. LAD, at CHC | Start in Wrigley risky, but Leake's been solid |
19 | Steven Matz | NYM | vs. PIT | Leap of faith, who really knows how he'll look |
20 | Jerad Eickhoff | PHI | vs. SF | |
21 | German Marquez | COL | at SD | |
22 | Dan Straily | MIA | vs. PHI | |
23 | John Lackey | CHC | vs. STL | |
24 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | at STL, at MIL | Increase in punch outs supported by underlying metrics |
25 | Carlos Martinez | STL | vs. LAD | |
26 | Jeremy Hellickson | PHI | at MIA, vs. SF | Hellickson's disappearing strikeouts curious, but buoyed by weak offenses |
27 | Matt Moore | SF | vs. WAS, at PHI | |
28 | Tyler Chatwood | COL | vs. SEA, at SD | Goodness of Petco affair balances risk of Coors encounter |
29 | Aaron Nola | PHI | at MIA | |
30 | Alex Wood | LAD | at STL | |
31 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | at SEA | |
32 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | vs. WAS | Stellar skills, tough draw |
33 | Zach Davies | MIL | at NYM, vs. LAD | Not as sharp as post All-Star break last year |
34 | Robert Gsellman | NYM | vs. MIL, vs. PIT | Make good week for early-seaso disappointments |
35 | Edinson Volquez | MIA | vs. PHI, vs. ARI | Pair at home in pitcher-friendly Marlins Park |
36 | Taijuan Walker | ARI | at MIA | |
37 | Junior Guerra | MIL | at NYM | |
38 | Ty Blach | SF | at PHI | Solidifying hold on rotation spot |
39 | Ivan Nova | PIT | vs. ARI | Low strikeouts drop rank |
40 | Zack Godley | ARI | at PIT | Cementing hold on rotation spot |
41 | Vince Velasquez | PHI | at MIA | |
42 | Randall Delgado | ARI | at PIT | |
43 | Vance Worley | MIA | vs. ARI | |
44 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at SEA | |
45 | Gio Gonzalez | WAS | at SF | |
46 | Zach Eflin | PHI | vs. SF | |
47 | Adam Wainwright | STL | vs. LAD | |
48 | Matt Harvey | NYM | vs. PIT | |
49 | Matt Garza | MIL | at NYM, vs. LAD | |
50 | Lance Lynn | STL | at CHC | |
51 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. ARI, at NYM | |
52 | Justin Nicolino | MIA | vs. PHI, vs. ARI | |
53 | Dinelson Lamet | SD | vs. CHC | |
54 | Chase Anderson | MIL | at NYM | |
55 | Jimmy Nelson | MIL | vs. LAD | |
56 | Jaime Garcia | ATL | at LAA | |
57 | Patrick Corbin | ARI | at MIA | |
58 | Bartolo Colon | ATL | at LAA | |
59 | Eddie Butler | CHC | at SD | |
60 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | vs. ARI | |
61 | Mike Foltynewicz | ATL | at CIN | |
62 | Zack Wheeler | NYM | vs. MIL | |
63 | Scott Feldman | CIN | vs. ATL | |
64 | Jose Urena | MIA | vs. ARI | |
65 | Brandon McCarthy | LAD | at STL | |
66 | Tim Adleman | CIN | at TOR | |
67 | Luis Perdomo | SD | vs. CHC | |
68 | Tyler Glasnow | PIT | at NYM | |
69 | Amir Garrett | CIN | vs. ATL | |
70 | R.A. Dickey | ATL | at CIN | |
71 | Bronson Arroyo | CIN | vs. ATL | |
72 | Tyler Pill | NYM | vs. MIL | |
73 | Matt Cain | SF | vs. WAS | |
74 | Lisalverto Bonilla | CIN | at TOR | |
75 | Jarred Cosart | SD | vs. CHC, vs. COL | |
76 | Clayton Richard | SD | vs. COL | |
77 | Jhoulys Chacin | SD | vs. COL | |
78 | Asher Wojciechowski | CIN | at TOR |
MLB
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPPONENT | COMMENT |
1 | Chris Sale | BOS | at CWS, at BAL | And it's not even close |
2 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. OAK, at KC | Last time out, threw 104 pitches first start after coming off DL |
3 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | at SD, vs. STL | Two runs or fewer last six outings |
4 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | at MIL | |
5 | Tanner Roark | WAS | at SF, at OAK | Looked better last time, boosted by weak offenses in pitcher's parks |
6 | Max Scherzer | WAS | at SF | |
7 | Rich Hill | LAD | at STL, at MIL | Giving a pass after he allowed seven free passes to Cards |
8 | Julio Teheran | ATL | at LAA, at CIN | On the road for a pair, more importantly, facing limited number of tough LHB |
9 | Robbie Ray | ARI | at PIT, at MIA | Huge park upgrades with serious strikeout potential |
10 | Michael Wacha | STL | vs. LAD, at CHC | Wacha continues to be a pleasant surprise |
11 | Jon Lester | CHC | vs. STL | |
12 | Johnny Cueto | SF | at PHI | |
13 | Zack Greinke | ARI | at MIA | |
14 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at OAK | |
15 | Tyler Anderson | COL | vs. SEA, at SD | Holds platoon edge over most of the better Mariners |
16 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. OAK | |
17 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | vs. MIL | |
18 | Jake Arrieta | CHC | at SD | |
19 | Gerrit Cole | PIT | at NYM | |
20 | Joe Ross | WAS | at OAK | |
21 | Mike Leake | STL | vs. LAD, at CHC | Start in Wrigley risky, but Leake's been solid |
22 | Luis Severino | NYY | at BAL, at TOR | Big test against powerful offenses with whiff potential |
23 | Steven Matz | NYM | vs. PIT | Leap of faith, who really knows how he'll look |
24 | Jerad Eickhoff | PHI | vs. SF | |
25 | German Marquez | COL | at SD | |
26 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. NYY, vs. BOS | Which Bundy will show up? |
27 | Jake Odorizzi | TB | at SEA | |
28 | Dan Straily | MIA | vs. PHI | |
29 | Jose Berrios | MIN | vs. HOU, at LAA | Astros a tough draw, but Berrios appears here to stay |
30 | John Lackey | CHC | vs. STL | |
31 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | at STL, at MIL | Increase in punch outs supported by underlying metrics |
32 | Carlos Martinez | STL | vs. LAD | |
33 | Jeremy Hellickson | PHI | at MIA, vs. SF | Hellickson's disappearing strikeouts curious, but buoyed by weak offenses |
34 | Ervin Santana | MIN | at LAA | |
35 | Michael Fulmer | DET | vs. CWS | |
36 | Marco Estrada | TOR | vs. NYY | |
37 | David Price | BOS | at CWS, at BAL | Wasn't sharp in last rehab start, but did throw 94 pitches, which is more important |
38 | Yu Darvish | TEX | vs. HOU | |
39 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | at TEX | |
40 | Matt Moore | SF | vs. WAS, at PHI | |
41 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | vs. CIN, vs. NYY | |
42 | Tyler Chatwood | COL | vs. SEA, at SD | Goodness of Petco affair balances risk of Coors encounter |
43 | Danny Salazar | CLE | vs. OAK | |
44 | Michael Pineda | NYY | at TOR | |
45 | Alex Cobb | TB | at SEA | |
46 | Justin Verlander | DET | at KC | |
47 | Aaron Nola | PHI | at MIA | |
48 | JC Ramirez | LAA | vs. MIN | |
49 | Alex Wood | LAD | at STL | |
50 | Chris Archer | TB | at TEX | |
51 | Danny Duffy | KC | vs. CLE | |
52 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | at SEA | |
53 | Sonny Gray | OAK | at CLE, vs. WAS | Maybe a little aggressive, but Gray has looked strong last two efforts |
54 | James Paxton | SEA | vs. COL | Rockies often struggle versus lefties on the road |
55 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | vs. WAS | Stellar skills, tough draw |
56 | Zach Davies | MIL | at NYM, vs. LAD | Not as sharp as post All-Star break last year |
57 | Robert Gsellman | NYM | vs. MIL, vs. PIT | Make good week for early-seaso disappointments |
58 | Edinson Volquez | MIA | vs. PHI, vs. ARI | Pair at home in pitcher-friendly Marlins Park |
59 | Erasmo Ramirez | TB | at TEX, at SEA | Watch the schedule, chance he doesn't make second start |
60 | Ricky Nolasco | LAA | vs. ATL, vs. MIN | Two in run-suppressing Angels Stadium |
61 | Andrew Triggs | OAK | vs. WAS | Deceptive delivery getting it done |
62 | Taijuan Walker | ARI | at MIA | |
63 | Junior Guerra | MIL | at NYM | |
64 | Ty Blach | SF | at PHI | Solidifying hold on rotation spot |
65 | Matt Shoemaker | LAA | vs. MIN | Looks to be over early season scuffles |
66 | Lance McCullers | HOU | at TEX | |
67 | Ivan Nova | PIT | vs. ARI | Low strikeouts drop rank |
68 | Zack Godley | ARI | at PIT | Cementing hold on rotation spot |
69 | Drew Pomeranz | BOS | at CWS | Curve ball is looking sharp, but still hangs too many |
70 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | at BAL | |
71 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | vs. OAK, at KC | Inconsistent, but facing lesser lineups, despite A's power |
72 | Rick Porcello | BOS | at BAL | |
73 | Vince Velasquez | PHI | at MIA | |
74 | Randall Delgado | ARI | at PIT | |
75 | Jason Vargas | KC | vs. CLE | |
76 | Vance Worley | MIA | vs. ARI | |
77 | Jose Quintana | CWS | vs. BOS | |
78 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at SEA | |
79 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at BAL | |
80 | Gio Gonzalez | WAS | at SF | |
81 | Martin Perez | TEX | vs. TB, vs. HOU | Allowing too many baserunners |
82 | Joe Biagini | TOR | vs. NYY | |
83 | Zach Eflin | PHI | vs. SF | |
84 | Jesse Chavez | LAA | vs. ATL | |
85 | Ian Kennedy | KC | vs. DET | |
86 | Charlie Morton | HOU | at MIN, at TEX | Strikeouts great, but ratios in danger for road pair in hitter's parks |
87 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | at BAL, at TOR | Facing lots of righty power in homer friendly venues |
88 | Adam Wainwright | STL | vs. LAD | |
89 | Matt Harvey | NYM | vs. PIT | |
90 | Jason Hammel | KC | vs. DET, vs. CLE | |
91 | Adalberto Mejia | MIN | at LAA | |
92 | Christian Bergman | SEA | vs. TB | |
93 | Matt Garza | MIL | at NYM, vs. LAD | |
94 | Lance Lynn | STL | at CHC | |
95 | Josh Tomlin | CLE | at KC | |
96 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. ARI, at NYM | |
97 | Justin Nicolino | MIA | vs. PHI, vs. ARI | |
98 | Dinelson Lamet | SD | vs. CHC | |
99 | A.J. Griffin | TEX | vs. TB | |
100 | Chase Anderson | MIL | at NYM | |
101 | Jimmy Nelson | MIL | vs. LAD | |
102 | Alex Meyer | LAA | vs. ATL, vs. MIN | |
103 | Jaime Garcia | ATL | at LAA | |
104 | Matt Andriese | TB | at TEX | |
105 | Nick Martinez | TEX | vs. TB | |
106 | Patrick Corbin | ARI | at MIA | |
107 | Sean Manaea | OAK | at CLE | |
108 | Bartolo Colon | ATL | at LAA | |
109 | Eddie Butler | CHC | at SD | |
110 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | vs. ARI | |
111 | Mike Foltynewicz | ATL | at CIN | |
112 | Chris Tillman | BAL | vs. NYY, vs. BOS | |
113 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | vs. CWS | |
114 | Zack Wheeler | NYM | vs. MIL | |
115 | Scott Feldman | CIN | vs. ATL | |
116 | Jose Urena | MIA | vs. ARI | |
117 | Brandon McCarthy | LAD | at STL | |
118 | Jharel Cotton | OAK | at CLE | |
119 | Francisco Liriano | TOR | vs. NYY | |
120 | Daniel Norris | DET | at KC, vs. CWS | |
121 | Tim Adleman | CIN | at TOR | |
122 | Ariel Miranda | SEA | at COL, vs. TB | |
123 | Luis Perdomo | SD | vs. CHC | |
124 | Tyler Glasnow | PIT | at NYM | |
125 | Hector Santiago | MIN | vs. HOU | |
126 | Alec Asher | BAL | vs. BOS | |
127 | CC Sabathia | NYY | at TOR | |
128 | Zach Neal | OAK | at CLE, vs. WAS | |
129 | Amir Garrett | CIN | vs. ATL | |
130 | Kevin Gausman | BAL | vs. NYY | |
131 | Yovani Gallardo | SEA | vs. COL | |
132 | R.A. Dickey | ATL | at CIN | |
133 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | vs. HOU, at LAA | |
134 | Bronson Arroyo | CIN | vs. ATL | |
135 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. BOS | |
136 | Mike Fiers | HOU | at MIN | |
137 | Joe Musgrove | HOU | at MIN | |
138 | Miguel Gonzalez | CWS | at DET | |
139 | Sam Gaviglio | SEA | at COL, vs. TB | |
140 | Matt Boyd | DET | at KC | |
141 | Tyler Pill | NYM | vs. MIL | |
142 | Matt Cain | SF | vs. WAS | |
143 | T.J. House | TOR | vs. CIN | |
144 | Lisalverto Bonilla | CIN | at TOR | |
145 | Derek Holland | CWS | at DET | |
146 | Jarred Cosart | SD | vs. CHC, vs. COL | |
147 | Miguel Almonte | KC | vs. DET | |
148 | Mike Bolsinger | TOR | vs. CIN | |
149 | Clayton Richard | SD | vs. COL | |
150 | Jhoulys Chacin | SD | vs. COL | |
151 | Wade Miley | BAL | vs. BOS | |
152 | Andrew Cashner | TEX | vs. HOU | |
153 | Dylan Covey | CWS | at DET | |
154 | Asher Wojciechowski | CIN | at TOR | |
155 | Mike Pelfrey | CWS | vs. BOS |