This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.
As always, remember that rotations are subject to change, so if you see something that isn't correct, assume that it was a change that has occurred since this was written and feel free to politely bring it up in the comments, and I'll let you know where the new arm slots.
For the week May 12-18
AMERICAN LEAGUE
For the week May 12-18
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
| 1. Felix Hernandez - TB, at MIN Note: Ho-hum, no K in last start but still quietly brilliant ... again |
| 2. Yu Darvish - at HOU Note: Darvish and Tanaka can do a lot here even with just one start given the competition |
| 3. Masahiro Tanaka - at NYM |
| 4. James Shields - COL, BAL Note: Rough slate, but at least he gets both at home and has already handled BAL this year |
| 5. David Price - at SEA, at LAA Note: Have to love the 9.7 K:BB, but the 1.5 HR/9 and 10.2 H/9 suggest command isn't quite as sharp as his control |
| 6. Max Scherzer - at BOS |
| 7. Sonny Gray - at CLE Note: Yet to allow more than 3 ER in an outing |
| 8. Justin Verlander - at BAL |
| 9. Jon Lester - DET |
| 10. Hisashi Iwakuma - TB Note: Looking healthy in his two starts after missing a month |
| 11. Scott Kazmir - at CLE |
| 12. Yordano Ventura - BAL Note: His best start of the season came in BAL earlier |
| 13. Jose Quintana - at HOU Note: Did you move him down your draft board |
As always, remember that rotations are subject to change, so if you see something that isn't correct, assume that it was a change that has occurred since this was written and feel free to politely bring it up in the comments, and I'll let you know where the new arm slots.
For the week May 12-18
AMERICAN LEAGUE
SIT
NATIONAL LEAGUE
CONSIDER
SIT
MLB TOP 100
For the week May 12-18
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
| 1. Felix Hernandez - TB, at MIN Note: Ho-hum, no K in last start but still quietly brilliant ... again |
| 2. Yu Darvish - at HOU Note: Darvish and Tanaka can do a lot here even with just one start given the competition |
| 3. Masahiro Tanaka - at NYM |
| 4. James Shields - COL, BAL Note: Rough slate, but at least he gets both at home and has already handled BAL this year |
| 5. David Price - at SEA, at LAA Note: Have to love the 9.7 K:BB, but the 1.5 HR/9 and 10.2 H/9 suggest command isn't quite as sharp as his control |
| 6. Max Scherzer - at BOS |
| 7. Sonny Gray - at CLE Note: Yet to allow more than 3 ER in an outing |
| 8. Justin Verlander - at BAL |
| 9. Jon Lester - DET |
| 10. Hisashi Iwakuma - TB Note: Looking healthy in his two starts after missing a month |
| 11. Scott Kazmir - at CLE |
| 12. Yordano Ventura - BAL Note: His best start of the season came in BAL earlier |
| 13. Jose Quintana - at HOU Note: Did you move him down your draft board after that horrific spring outing? Oops |
| 14. Hiroki Kuroda - NYM, PIT Note: A run better than his 4.43 ERA, and this pair of outings will help him get there |
| 15. C.J. Wilson - at TOR, TB |
| 16. Jesse Chavez - CWS, at CLE |
| 17. Chris Tillman - at KC Note: Perfect team for a guy with HR issues to face |
| 18. Garrett Richards - at PHI |
| 19. Corey Kluber - at TOR Note: So good when he's on ... but maddeningly inconsistent through 8 starts |
| 20. John Lackey - DET Note: 35-year-old is overlooked for his strong 2013 and his solid start in 2014 |
| 21. Rick Porcello - at BAL, at BOS |
| 22. Danny Salazar - at TOR, OAK Note: Coming out of it a bit in his last three, but I'm still a little reticent, especially at TOR |
| 23. Justin Masterson - at TOR Note: Now has a 2.94 ERA over his last five since back-to-back 5 ER duds |
| 24. Jake Peavy - at MIN Note: MIN offense has returned to earth, but it does exploit Peavy's biggest weakness: walks |
| 25. Jered Weaver - TB Note: Chiseled ERA down to 3.48 with a 1.78 over his last four |
| 26. CC Sabathia - at NYM |
| 27. Zach McAllister - OAK |
| 28. Chris Archer - at LAA Note: Great or awful with only one start (5 IP/3 ER vs. BAL) falling in between |
| 29. Martin Perez - TOR Note: Knew he'd come back after back-to-back shutouts; he's good, not great |
| 30. Drew Smyly - at BAL |
| 31. Dallas Keuchel - TEX Note: Showed some flashes last year, too; this is intriguing |
| 32. Jason Vargas - BAL |
| 33. Matt Harrison - at HOU Note: Hey, someone who tamed the Rockies! |
| 34. David Phelps - PIT Note: After 4 ER in first two appearances - 1.32 ERA, 14:6 K:BB ratio in 13.7 IP |
| 35. Phil Hughes - BOS Note: After three straight 5-IP/4-ER outings to open year, has 2.05 ERA in last four with 15:1 K:BB ratio |
| 36. Mark Buehrle - LAA, at TEX Note: Pitching great, but he's not sub-2.00 ERA pitcher, and these two will likely remind him of that |
| 37. John Danks - at OAK, at HOU |
| 38. Colby Lewis - at HOU, TOR |
| 39. R.A. Dickey - CLE, at TEX Note: Just don't know what to make of him |
| 40. Ricky Nolasco - BOS, SEA Note: Appears to be putting April behind him with two strong starts to open May |
| 41. Roenis Elias - at MIN |
| 42. Jake Odorizzi - at SEA Note: Inept M's offense gives Odorizzi a chance to string a pair together |
| 43. Danny Duffy - COL Note: Gotta be careful with the Rockies, but at least it's not in Coors |
| 44. Tyler Skaggs - TB |
| 45. Josh Tomlin - OAK |
| 46. Drew Hutchison - at TEX |
| 47. Dustin McGowan - CLE Note: Wearing the insulin pump on the mound has seemed to really help him over his last three |
SIT
| 48. Bud Norris - DET, at KC Note: All three BAL arms have been strong lately, but don't love the matchup against DET |
| 49. Wei-Yin Chen - DET |
| 50. Ubaldo Jimenez - DET |
| 51. Robbie Ray - at BOS |
| 52. Clay Buchholz - at MIN Note: Don't feel confident in him even against a sinking MIN offense |
| 53. Robbie Ross - TOR |
| 54. Felix Doubront - at MIN, DET |
| 55. Hector Santiago - at PHI, TB |
| 56. Kyle Gibson - SEA |
| 57. Chris Young - at MIN Note: Sweet K:BB ratio |
| 58. Brandon Maurer - TB |
| 59. Scott Feldman - TEX |
| 60. Drew Pomeranz - CWS Note: Avoiding CWS as a rule with middle tier of talents or below |
| 61. Jarred Cosart - CWS |
| 62. Tommy Milone - CWS |
| 63. J.A. Happ - CLE |
| 64. Miguel Gonzalez - DET |
| 65. Brad Peacock - TEX, CWS Note: Having two starts almost hurts when it's these two teams |
| 66. Vidal Nuno - NYM, PIT |
| 67. Cesar Ramos - at SEA, at LAA |
| 68. Samuel Deduno - SEA |
| 69. Erik Bedard - at LAA |
| 70. Jeremy Guthrie - BAL |
| 71. Andre Rienzo - at OAK |
| 72. Scott Carroll - at OAK |
| 73. Hector Noesi - at HOU |
| 74. Collin McHugh - CWS |
| 75. Kevin Correia - BOS |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
START
| 1. Adam Wainwright - CHC, ATL Note: Oddly enough the Cubs have given Waino 10 of his 13 ER this year |
| 2. Jordan Zimmermann - at ARI, NYM Note: Since MIA left him with a 1.7-IP/5-ER dud - 1.78 ERA and 5.6 K:BB ratio in 30.3 IP |
| 3. Cliff Lee - LAA, CIN |
| 4. Clayton Kershaw - at ARI Note: Layoff really seemed to hurt him as he "only" went seven |
| 5. Johnny Cueto - SD |
| 6. Jose Fernandez - at LAD Note: Baseball loves to keep us honest - like Fernandez getting ripped in SD |
| 7. Stephen Strasburg - at ARI Note: Feels like he hasn't been great, but deeper look suggests he really has |
| 8. Gerrit Cole - at MIL, at NYY Note: Haven't seen the Ks from late last year, but he's gone 6-plus IP in all but one outing |
| 9. Dan Haren - MIA, at ARI |
| 10. Marco Estrada - PIT, at CHC |
| 11. Julio Teheran - at SF Note: Amazing this year and the Ks are on the rise lately, too - 29 in 30 IP over last four starts |
| 12. Zack Greinke - at ARI Note: Rain snuffed out his last start after just three innings |
| 13. Michael Wacha - CHC |
| 14. Gio Gonzalez - NYM |
| 15. Nathan Eovaldi - at SF Note: Emergence has given the Marlins a dynamic 1-2 punch atop their rotation |
| 16. Madison Bumgarner - ATL Note: After allowing 6-plus hits in every April start, he's allowed 7 total in two May starts |
| 17. Andrew Cashner - at CIN, at COL Note: Trip to Coors almost eliminates upside of two-start week, though Cashner has arsenal to survive |
| 18. Zack Wheeler - at NYY, at WAS |
| 19. Lance Lynn - CHC |
| 20. Matt Cain - MIA Note: Marlins go from '27 Yankees at home to '03 Tigers on the road |
| 21. Tim Hudson - MIA |
| 22. Josh Beckett - MIA |
| 23. Alex Wood - at STL Note: Cards are brutal against lefties |
| 24. Ervin Santana - at STL |
| 25. Matt Garza - at CHC Note: Inconsistent thus far, but should be able to handle his former mates again |
| 26. Wily Peralta - PIT |
| 27. Jeff Samardzija - at STL Note: Hasn't been much talk of his brilliant start (1.62 ERA in 50 IP) |
| 28. Tyson Ross - at CIN |
| 29. Ian Kennedy - at CIN Note: Resurgence isn't just Petco-fueled - 1.42 ERA in 19 road IP |
| 30. Wade Miley - LAD |
| 31. A.J. Burnett - LAA Note: Trips to TOR are scary, he's been excellent otherwise |
| 32. Dillon Gee - NYY Note: Appears to be working through endurance issues with 110-plus pitches in each of last two during which he has 0.00 ERA in 14 IP |
| 33. Homer Bailey - at PHI Note: Has to be moved down, but the component numbers show a much better pitcher |
| 34. Cole Hamels - CIN Note: Rocky start, but he'll be fine |
| 35. Doug Fister - at ARI Note: Rough debut, but you just have to give him some time |
| 36. Mike Minor - at SF Note: Early issues with HRs through 2 starts, but just stick with him |
| 37. Francisco Liriano - at MIL |
| 38. Travis Wood - at STL, MIL |
| 39. Mike Leake - SD, at PHI Note: He's been the guy we've seen the last few years - a solid, but unspectacular arm |
| 40. Tyler Lyons - CHC, ATL |
| 41. Jon Niese - at WAS Note: Love what he's done, but the Nats really beat up on lefties so I don't love him this week |
| 42. Alfredo Simon - SD |
| 43. Jason Hammel - at STL Note: Don't necessarily buy a 2.45 ERA, but I buy that's a reliable all-formats arm |
| 44. Kyle Lohse - at CHC |
| 45. Ryan Vogelsong - ATL, MIA Note: Excellent in his last three - 0.89 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 20.3 IP |
| 46. Tom Koehler - at LAD, at SF Note: Skills aren't sub-2.00 ERA worthy, but he has some talent |
| 47. Gavin Floyd - at SF |
| 48. Tim Lincecum - ATL, MIA Note: If it was at MIA, he'd probably be a "Consider" at best; just hasn't been good, but there's a lot of swing-and-miss in these two teams |
| 49. Yovani Gallardo - PIT |
| 50. Aaron Harang - at STL |
| 51. Bartolo Colon - at NYY, at WAS Note: 16 of his 26 ER have come in two starts |
| 52. Henderson Alvarez - at LAD Note: Skeptical dating to last year, but there's something here |
CONSIDER
| 53. Shelby Miller - ATL Note: Devolved into a one-pitch pitcher, but it's kinda working ... kinda |
| 54. Jenrry Mejia - NYY Note: How badly do you need Ks? |
| 55. Jordan Lyles - SD Note: Still nervous about the modest skills supporting his fast start, but at least it's SD coming into town |
| 56. Tanner Roark - NYM |
| 57. Bronson Arroyo - WAS, LAD Note: Excellent in his last three; he's working his way back to his high-3.00s/low-4.00s watermark |
| 58. Jake Arrieta - at STL, MIL |
| 59. Brandon McCarthy - WAS Note: Either dominates or gets destroyed; love the K and velo surges |
| 60. Jhoulys Chacin - SD Note: Can Coors even help this SD offense? |
| 61. Juan Nicasio - SD |
| 62. Paul Maholm - MIA Note: MIA is so bad on the road that even Maholm becomes worthwhile |
SIT
| 63. Jacob Turner - at LAD, at SF Note: Keeping a close eye on him |
| 64. Edinson Volquez - at MIL |
| 65. Charlie Morton - at NYY |
| 66. Wandy Rodriguez - at NYY |
| 67. Edwin Jackson - MIL |
| 68. Josh Collmenter - WAS, LAD |
| 69. Jorge de la Rosa - at KC |
| 70. Franklin Morales - at KC |
| 71. Kyle Kendrick - CIN |
| 72. Robbie Erlin - at COL |
| 73. Eric Stults - at COL |
| 74. Reds Fifth Starter Note: No one slotted for "at PHI" on Saturday just yet |
| 75. Roberto Hernandez Note: Not needed in a 5-game week |
MLB TOP 100
| 1. Adam Wainwright - CHC, ATL Note: Oddly enough the Cubs have given Waino 10 of his 13 ER this year |
| 2. Felix Hernandez - TB, at MIN Note: Ho-hum, no K in last start but still quietly brilliant ... again |
| 3. Jordan Zimmermann - at ARI, NYM Note: Since MIA left him with a 1.7-IP/5-ER dud - 1.78 ERA and 5.6 K:BB ratio in 30.3 IP |
| 4. Cliff Lee - LAA, CIN |
| 5. Clayton Kershaw - at ARI Note: Layoff really seemed to hurt him as he "only" went seven |
| 6. Johnny Cueto - SD |
| 7. Yu Darvish - at HOU Note: Darvish and Tanaka can do a lot here even with just one start given the competition |
| 8. Masahiro Tanaka - at NYM |
| 9. Jose Fernandez - at LAD Note: Baseball loves to keep us honest - like Fernandez getting ripped in SD |
| 10. Stephen Strasburg - at ARI Note: Feels like he hasn't been great, but deeper look suggests he really has |
| 11. James Shields - COL, BAL Note: Rough slate, but at least he gets both at home and has already handled BAL this year |
| 12. David Price - at SEA, at LAA Note: Have to love the 9.7 K:BB, but the 1.5 HR/9 and 10.2 H/9 suggest that his command isn't quite as sharp as his control |
| 13. Max Scherzer - at BOS |
| 14. Gerrit Cole - at MIL, at NYY Note: Haven't seen the Ks from late last year, but he's gone 6-plus IP in all but one outing |
| 15. Dan Haren - MIA, at ARI |
| 16. Marco Estrada - PIT, at CHC |
| 17. Julio Teheran - at SF Note: Amazing this year and the Ks are on the rise lately, too - 29 in 30 IP over last four starts |
| 18. Zack Greinke - at ARI Note: Rain snuffed out his last start after just three innings |
| 19. Michael Wacha - CHC |
| 20. Gio Gonzalez - NYM |
| 21. Nathan Eovaldi - at SF Note: Emergence has given the Marlins a dynamic 1-2 punch atop their rotation |
| 22. Madison Bumgarner - ATL Note: After allowing 6-plus hits in every April start, he's allowed 7 total in two May starts |
| 23. Sonny Gray - at CLE Note: Yet to allow more than 3 ER in an outing |
| 24. Justin Verlander - at BAL |
| 25. Jon Lester - DET |
| 26. Hisashi Iwakuma - TB Note: Looking healthy in his two starts after missing a month |
| 27. Scott Kazmir - at CLE |
| 28. Yordano Ventura - BAL Note: Best start of the season came in BAL earlier |
| 29. Jose Quintana - at HOU Note: Did you move him down your draft board after that horrific spring outing? Oops. |
| 30. Hiroki Kuroda - NYM, PIT Note: A run better than his 4.43 ERA, and this pair of outings will help him get there |
| 31. C.J. Wilson - at TOR, TB |
| 32. Jesse Chavez - CWS, at CLE |
| 33. Andrew Cashner - at CIN, at COL Note: Trip to Coors almost eliminates upside of two-start week, though Cashner has the arsenal to survive |
| 34. Zack Wheeler - at NYY, at WAS |
| 35. Lance Lynn - CHC |
| 36. Matt Cain - MIA Note: Marlins go from '27 Yankees at home to '03 Tigers on the road |
| 37. Tim Hudson - MIA |
| 38. Josh Beckett - MIA |
| 39. Alex Wood - at STL Note: Cards are brutal against lefties |
| 40. Ervin Santana - at STL |
| 41. Matt Garza - at CHC Note: Inconsistent thus far, but should be able to handle his former mates again |
| 42. Wily Peralta - PIT |
| 43. Jeff Samardzija - at STL Note: Hasn't been much talk of his brilliant start (1.62 ERA in 50 IP) |
| 44. Tyson Ross - at CIN |
| 45. Ian Kennedy - at CIN Note: Resurgence isn't just Petco-fueled - 1.42 ERA in 19 road IP |
| 46. Chris Tillman - at KC Note: Perfect team for a guy with HR issues to face |
| 47. Garrett Richards - at PHI |
| 48. Corey Kluber - at TOR Note: So good when he's on ... but maddeningly inconsistent through 8 starts |
| 49. John Lackey - DET Note: 35-year-old is overlooked for his strong 2013 and his solid start in 2014 |
| 50. Rick Porcello - at BAL, at BOS |
| 51. Wade Miley - LAD |
| 52. A.J. Burnett - LAA Note: Trips to TOR are scary, excellent otherwise |
| 53. Dillon Gee - NYY Note: Appears to be working through endurance issues with 110-plus pitches in each of last two during which he has 0.00 ERA in 14 IP |
| 54. Danny Salazar - at TOR, OAK Note: Coming out of it a bit in his last three, but I'm still a little reticent, especially at TOR |
| 55. Homer Bailey - at PHI Note: Has to be moved down, but the component numbers show a much better pitcher |
| 56. Cole Hamels - CIN Note: Rocky start, but he'll be fine |
| 57. Doug Fister - at ARI Note: Rough debut, but you just have to give him some time |
| 58. Justin Masterson - at TOR Note: Now has a 2.94 ERA over his last five since back-to-back 5 ER duds |
| 59. Jake Peavy - at MIN Note: MIN offense has returned to earth, but it does exploit Peavy's biggest weakness: walks |
| 60. Jered Weaver - TB Note: Chiseled his ERA down to 3.48 with a 1.78 over his last four |
| 61. CC Sabathia - at NYM |
| 62. Zach McAllister - OAK |
| 63. Chris Archer - at LAA Note: Great or awful with only one start (5 IP/3 ER v. BAL) falling in between |
| 64. Mike Minor - at SF Note: Early issues with HRs through 2 starts, but just stick with him |
| 65. Francisco Liriano - at MIL |
| 66. Travis Wood - at STL, MIL |
| 67. Mike Leake - SD, at PHI Note: He's been the guy we've seen the last few years - a solid, but unspectacular arm |
| 68. Tyler Lyons - CHC, ATL |
| 69. Jon Niese - at WAS Note: Love what he's done, but the Nats really beat up on lefties so I don't love him this week |
| 70. Alfredo Simon - SD |
| 71. Jason Hammel - at STL Note: Don't necessarily buy a 2.45 ERA, but I buy that's a reliable all-formats arm |
| 72. Kyle Lohse - at CHC |
| 73. Ryan Vogelsong - ATL, MIA Note: Excellent in his last three - 0.89 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 20.3 IP |
| 74. Tom Koehler - at LAD, at SF Note: Skills aren't sub-2.00 ERA worthy, but he has some talent |
| 75. Gavin Floyd - at SF |
| 76. Martin Perez - TOR Note: Knew he'd come back after back-to-back shutouts; he's good, not great |
| 77. Drew Smyly - at BAL |
| 78. Dallas Keuchel - TEX Note: Showed some flashes last year, too; this is intriguing |
| 79. Tim Lincecum - ATL, MIA Note: If it was at MIA, he'd probably be a "Consider" at best; just hasn't been good, but there's a lot of swing-and-miss in these two teams |
| 80. Yovani Gallardo - PIT |
| 81. Aaron Harang - at STL |
| 82. Jason Vargas - BAL |
| 83. Matt Harrison - at HOU Note: Hey, someone who tamed the Rockies! |
| 84. David Phelps - PIT Note: After 4 ER in first two appearances - 1.32 ERA, 14:6 K:BB ratio in 13.7 IP |
| 85. Phil Hughes - BOS Note: After three straight 5-IP/4-ER outings to open year, has 2.05 ERA in last four with 15:1 K:BB ratio |
| 86. Mark Buehrle - LAA, at TEX Note: Pitching great, but he's not a sub-2.00 ERA pitcher and these two will likely remind him of that |
| 87. John Danks - at OAK, at HOU |
| 88. Colby Lewis - at HOU, TOR |
| 89. R.A Dickey - CLE, at TEX Note: Just don't know what to make of him |
| 90. Ricky Nolasco - BOS, SEA Note: Appears to be putting April behind him with two strong starts to open May |
| 91. Roenis Elias - at MIN |
| 92. Jake Odorizzi - at SEA Note: Inept M's offense gives Odorizzi a chance to string a pair together |
| 93. Bartolo Colon - at NYY, at WAS Note: 16 of his 26 ER have come in two starts |
| 94. Henderson Alvarez - at LAD Note: Skeptical dating to last year, but there's something here |
| 95. Danny Duffy - COL Note: Gotta be careful with the Rockies, but at least it's not in Coors |
| 96. Tyler Skaggs - TB |
| 97. Josh Tomlin - OAK |
| 98. Shelby Miller - ATL Note: Devolved into a one-pitch pitcher, but it's kinda working ... kinda |
| 99. Jenrry Mejia - NYY Note: How badly do you need Ks? |
| 100. Jordan Lyles - SD Note: Still nervous about the modest skills supporting his fast start, but at least it's SD coming into town |
