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 June 23-29
AMERICAN LEAGUE
For the week June 23-29
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
1. Felix Hernandez - BOS, CLE Note: I usually point out that most sub-3.00 ERAs are not "real," meaning they aren't supported by the skills, but Hernandez's 1.86 FIP says his 2.22 ERA might actually be too high for his skills |
2. Chris Sale - at BAL, at TOR Note: Since returning from the DL - 2.13 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and 46 Ks in 38 IP with a 15.3 K:BB ratio |
3. Alex Cobb - PIT, at BAL Note: Sputtered a bit upon returning from the DL, but has allowed just 1 ER in 13.3 IP over his last two starts |
4. Yu Darvish - MIN |
5. Masahiro Tanaka - BOS |
6. David Price - PIT Note: He's gone 8 IP in each of his last three and fanned 10+ in each of his last four |
7. Scott Kazmir - at NYM Note: Durability is still a question, but he's been amazing with just one start over 3 ER |
8. Max Scherzer - at HOU Note: Mixed in his first CG among five other horrendous starts yielding a 6.86 ERA in his last six; 38 Ks and 4.2 K:BB ratio in |
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 June 23-29
AMERICAN LEAGUE
CONSIDER
SIT
NATIONAL LEAGUE
CONSIDER
SIT
MLB TOP 100
For the week June 23-29
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
1. Felix Hernandez - BOS, CLE Note: I usually point out that most sub-3.00 ERAs are not "real," meaning they aren't supported by the skills, but Hernandez's 1.86 FIP says his 2.22 ERA might actually be too high for his skills |
2. Chris Sale - at BAL, at TOR Note: Since returning from the DL - 2.13 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and 46 Ks in 38 IP with a 15.3 K:BB ratio |
3. Alex Cobb - PIT, at BAL Note: Sputtered a bit upon returning from the DL, but has allowed just 1 ER in 13.3 IP over his last two starts |
4. Yu Darvish - MIN |
5. Masahiro Tanaka - BOS |
6. David Price - PIT Note: He's gone 8 IP in each of his last three and fanned 10+ in each of his last four |
7. Scott Kazmir - at NYM Note: Durability is still a question, but he's been amazing with just one start over 3 ER |
8. Max Scherzer - at HOU Note: Mixed in his first CG among five other horrendous starts yielding a 6.86 ERA in his last six; 38 Ks and 4.2 K:BB ratio in those 39.3 IP says he hasn't been a total disaster |
9. Anibal Sanchez - at TEX Note: Went more than 5 IP just once in his first six; has gone 6+ IP in each of his last six |
10. Sonny Gray - at NYM |
11. Jon Lester - at NYY |
12. Phil Hughes - at TEX Note: Amazingly some still aren't buying in; I advised getting the jump on him back in PVM 6 |
13. Corey Kluber - at ARI Note: A little shaky in three straight before a hard-luck 7 IP/2 ER loss to DET |
14. Hisashi Iwakuma - BOS |
15. Chris Archer - PIT Note: He has a 0.89 ERA with 43 Ks in his last seven with four scoreless outings |
16. Yordano Ventura - LAA |
17. Dallas Keuchel - DET Note: He had nice outings in April, but his 7.7 IP/2 ER gem at DET on May 8th felt like his coming out party |
18. Garrett Richards - MIN |
19. C.J. Wilson - MIN, at KC |
20. John Lackey - at SEA, at NYY |
21. Drew Smyly - at TEX, at HOU Note: A lack of run support has left him with a 1-2 record in June despite a 1.89 ERA in 19 IP |
22. Jose Quintana - at BAL, at TOR |
23. James Shields - LAD Note: He's been unspectacular during KC's 13-5 June surge with a 4.81 ERA in four starts |
24. Jesse Chavez - at MIA Note: The Ks have tailed off since April, but he's still been useful, especially considering he cost nothing |
25. Kevin Gausman - TB Note: He'll be back up for Friday's doubleheader |
26. Justin Verlander - at HOU Note: Yes, I'm still starting him even if it's while holding my nose |
27. Collin McHugh - ATL Note: I continue to marvel at the exquisite K rate |
28. Jered Weaver - at KC |
29. Matt Shoemaker - at KC Note: Needs to cut the HRs, but everything is prime yielding a 2.96 xFIP |
30. Trevor Bauer - at SEA Note: Still far from perfect, but the improved control makes him much more palatable |
31. Rick Porcello - at TEX |
32. Mark Buehrle - NYY, CWS |
33. Chase Whitley - at TOR, BOS Note: I'm buying even with this tough slate, he's been impressive with his control-oriented approach |
34. Hiroki Kuroda - at TOR Note: He may be breaking free from his malaise with three gems in his last four, but the skills are still unimpressive |
35. Danny Duffy - LAD |
36. R.A. Dickey - CWS |
37. Jake Odorizzi - at BAL |
38. Justin Masterson - at ARI, at SEA Note: Even with the glimpses of quality lately, the inconsistency makes him tough to trust |
39. Kyle Gibson - at LAA, at TEX |
40. Wei-Yin Chen - CWS, TB Note: Gotta set it and forget it with Chen, he'll have ups and downs, but he'll find that high-3.00s, low-4.00s level by season's end |
41. Jarred Cosart - ATL |
42. Marcus Stroman - CWS |
43. Jason Vargas - LAA Note: Since that second 7 ER outing back in mid-May - 2.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 35 IP over five starts |
44. Roenis Elias - CLE Note: CLE is vulnerable against lefties |
CONSIDER
45. David Phelps - at TOR Note: I like what he's done as a starter, but I worry about him facing TOR in back-to-back outings |
46. John Danks - at TOR |
47. Chris Tillman - TB |
SIT
48. Erasmo Ramirez - BOS Note: I was high on these next two guys coming into the season, but they need to show some consistency before being trusted |
49. Hector Santiago - MIN |
50. Drew Hutchison - NYY Note: The 8.72 home ERA is a small 21.7 IP sample, but the 7.29 FIP says it's somewhat legit so beware |
51. Josh Tomlin - at SEA |
52. Brad Peacock - DET |
53. Tommy Milone - at MIA |
54. Colby Lewis - DET, MIN |
55. Scott Feldman - ATL, DET |
56. Rubby De La Rosa - at NYY Note: The BOS rotation is up in the air and this could end being Clay Buchholz by the time Friday rolls around |
57. Ubaldo Jimenez - CWS |
58. Ricky Nolasco - at LAA |
59. Bud Norris - TB |
60. Erik Bedard - at BAL |
61. Chris Young - CLE Note: I'm still not trusting that ERA |
62. Miguel Gonzalez - CWS |
63. Jeremy Guthrie - LAD, LAA |
64. Kevin Correia - at TEX |
65. Jake Peavy - at SEA |
66. Brad Mills - at MIA |
67. J.A. Happ - CWS |
68. Nick Tepesch - DET |
69. Nick Martinez - MIN |
70. Felix Doubront - at SEA |
71. Yohan Pino - at LAA Note: The 30-year old made his MLB debut last week, but I'm unsure if he'll remain in the rotation replacing Samuel Deduno |
72. Hector Noesi - at BAL |
73. Andre Rienzo - at TOR |
74. Vidal Nuno - BOS |
75. Joe Saunders - DET |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
START
1. Clayton Kershaw - at KC, STL Note: If the 7 ER outing vs. ARI bumped him from the unquestioned top spot, he reacquired it shortly after, and has used June to put a stranglehold on it capped off by the brilliant no-no |
2. Zack Greinke - at KC, STL |
3. Cole Hamels - MIA Note: Hope you bought when he has a low-4.00s ERA in late-May despite skills befitting a much lower ERA (now 2.78) |
4. Madison Bumgarner - CIN Note: Gets a very different CIN than the one he decimated on June 5th, but I still trust him to handle them |
5. Adam Wainwright - at LAD |
6. Johnny Cueto - at SF |
7. Julio Teheran - at PHI Note: Had just 26 Ks in his first 43 IP of the season; now has 38 in his last 43.7 IP |
8. Stephen Strasburg - at MIL |
9. Jordan Zimmermann - at MIL Note: He's emerged from his May funk (5.06 ERA, 38 H in 26.7 IP) to post an 0.84 ERA in 32 June IP with just 17 H allowed |
10. Michael Wacha - at LAD Note: You never like to lose starts, but I'll take 30 ace-level starts over 33 that might include some disasters if they see him fatiguing a bit |
11. Andrew Cashner - at SF, ARI |
12. Jeff Samardzija - CIN, WAS Note: Rebounded nicely from the 8 ER massacre at MIL w/2.84 ERA, 23 Ks, and 3.8 K:BB ratio in last three outings |
13. Tim Hudson - SD, CIN |
14. Bartolo Colon - OAK, at PIT Note: He's allowed 2 or fewer in each of his last six outings |
15. Gio Gonzalez - at MIL, at CHC |
16. Doug Fister - at CHC |
17. Hyun-Jin Ryu - STL |
18. Jason Hammel - WAS |
19. Jake Arrieta - CIN Note: Don't forget, he was once a blue-chip prospect with BAL |
20. Josh Beckett - STL Note: Since the no-no - 2.63 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 24 Ks, and 6.0 K:BB ratio in 24 IP |
21. Tyson Ross - ARI Note: Last four perfectly encapsulate his volatility - 6 IP/1 ER, 5.3 IP/5 ER, 7 IP/0 ER, and 5.7 IP/5 ER |
22. Mat Latos - at CHC Note: Still getting his footing, but 5 ER vs. TOR is hardly a crime |
23. Gerrit Cole - NYM Note: Few softer matchups available than the Mets as your first start off the DL |
24. Jon Niese - at PIT Note: He's an out away from six straight QS (5.7 IP/2 ER vs. PIT on May 27th); has a 2.83 ERA in 41.3 IP over those six starts |
25. Nathan Eovaldi - at PHI, OAK Note: Some of the inconsistency that plagued him before has returned; still a high-ceiling profile |
26. Homer Bailey - at CHC, at SF Note: Still not operating at peak, but he's slowly chiseling down that ERA |
27. Lance Lynn - at COL, at LAD Note: This is a tough slate for the oft-frustrating righty |
28. Aaron Harang - at HOU, at PHI |
29. Matt Cain - SD, CIN Note: Diminished stuff has sapped the already-tenuous margin for error he'd been playing with for years |
30. Yovani Gallardo - WAS, COL |
31. Matt Garza - WAS, COL |
32. Ian Kennedy - at SF Note: Homers keeping him from the ERA that this skillset would usually yield |
33. Zack Wheeler - OAK Note: Love the 3-hitter in MIA, but OAK is scary as is Wheeler's volatility so far |
34. A.J. Burnett - MIA Note: Pleased by the 2.22 ERA over his last three, but just 10 Ks in 24.3 IP is alarming |
35. Mike Minor - at HOU Note: Lots of highs in that 4.20 ERA, but the lows include three 11 H outings and half of his 28 ER this year tied up in two of them |
36. Tanner Roark - at CHC |
37. Alfredo Simon - at CHC, at SF Note: 10 of his 30 ER have come in two poor starts - his only two bad ones out of 14 |
38. Andrew Heaney - at PHI, OAK Note: Impressive debut was overshadowed by Wheeler's shutout |
39. Jeff Locke - at TB, NYM |
40. Tim Lincecum - SD Note: Lots of mid- and low-tier plays getting a shot against SD this week |
41. Henderson Alvarez - at PHI Note: Has six scoreless outings this year including three shutouts |
42. Brandon McCarthy - at SD |
43. Ervin Santana - at PHI |
44. Wade Miley - CLE Note: The skills really aren't bad, but an 18% HR/FB rate has blown up his ERA |
45. Alex Wood - at HOU Note: Likely to rejoin the rotation in place of Floyd |
46. Travis Wood - WAS |
47. Ryan Vogelsong - CIN |
48. Mike Leake - at SF |
49. Kyle Lohse - COL Note: I'll still run Lohse and Peralta out there because it's in Miller Park |
50. Wily Peralta - COL |
51. Jesse Hahn - at SF Note: Posted back-to-back beauties after struggling in his MLB debut |
CONSIDER
52. Jaime Garcia - at COL Note: He's displayed some strong skills so far, but I worry about a trip to Coors |
53. Charlie Morton - at TB Note: I think familiarity got him last time out at CHC; they've seen him four times - two gems, two duds |
54. Chase Anderson - CLE Note: He's been a revelation for the D'Backs, but CLE smashes righties |
55. David Buchanan - MIA, ATL |
56. Josh Collmenter - at SD Note: It's easy to confidently pick on SD as you'll see with this next one, too… |
57. Mike Bolsinger - at SD Note: If you're just looking to pile up starts for the week, take a shot on him in this cushy matchup as Petco should protect his HR tendencies |
SIT
58. Dan Haren - at KC Note: I'm concerned that the back is an issue again; only started him last week because it was in SD |
59. Edwin Jackson - CIN |
60. Marco Estrada - WAS Note: 7 ER was actually better than I expected in Coors |
61. Shelby Miller - at COL Note: Noooope! |
62. Jacob deGrom - at PIT |
63. Daisuke Matsuzaka - at PIT |
64. Jhoulys Chacin - STL, at MIL |
65. Jorge De La Rosa - STL, at MIL |
66. Edinson Volquez - at TB, NYM |
67. Tom Koehler - at PHI |
68. Kyle Kendrick - ATL |
69. Anthony DeSclafani - OAK |
70. Brandon Cumpton - NYM |
71. Christian Friedrich - at MIL |
72. Tyler Matzek - at MIL |
73. Eric Stults - ARI |
74. Roberto Hernandez - ATL |
75. Christian Bergman - STL |
MLB TOP 100
1. Clayton Kershaw - at KC, STL Note: If the 7 ER outing vs. ARI bumped him from the unquestioned top spot, he reacquired it shortly after, and has used June to put a stranglehold on it capped off by the brilliant no-no |
2. Felix Hernandez - BOS, CLE Note: I usually point out that most sub-3.00 ERAs are not "real," meaning they aren't supported by the skills, but Hernandez's 1.86 FIP says his 2.22 ERA might actually be too high for his skills |
3. Zack Greinke - at KC, STL |
4. Chris Sale - at BAL, at TOR Note: Since returning from the DL - 2.13 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and 46 Ks in 38 IP with a 15.3 K:BB ratio |
5. Alex Cobb - PIT, at BAL Note: Sputtered a bit upon returning from the DL, but has allowed just 1 ER in 13.3 IP over his last two starts |
6. Cole Hamels - MIA Note: Hope you bought when he has a low-4.00s ERA in late-May despite skills befitting a much lower ERA (now 2.78) |
7. Yu Darvish - MIN |
8. Masahiro Tanaka - BOS |
9. David Price - PIT Note: He's gone 8 IP in each of his last three and fanned 10+ in each of his last four |
10. Madison Bumgarner - CIN Note: Gets a very different CIN than the one he decimated on June 5th, but I still trust him to handle them |
11. Adam Wainwright - at LAD |
12. Johnny Cueto - at SF |
13. Julio Teheran - at PHI Note: Had just 26 Ks in his first 43 IP of the season; now has 38 in his last 43.7 IP |
14. Scott Kazmir - at NYM Note: Durability is still a question, but he's been amazing with just one start over 3 ER |
15. Stephen Strasburg - at MIL |
16. Jordan Zimmermann - at MIL Note: He's emerged from his May funk (5.06 ERA, 38 H in 26.7 IP) to post an 0.84 ERA in 32 June IP with just 17 H allowed |
17. Michael Wacha - at LAD Note: You never like to lose starts, but I'll take 30 ace-level starts over 33 that might include some disasters if they see him fatiguing a bit |
18. Max Scherzer - at HOU Note: Mixed in his first CG among five other horrendous starts yielding a 6.86 ERA in his last six; 38 Ks and 4.2 K:BB ratio in those 39.3 IP says he hasn't been a total disaster |
19. Anibal Sanchez - at TEX Note: Went more than 5 IP just once in his first six; has gone 6+ IP in each of his last six |
20. Sonny Gray - at NYM |
21. Jon Lester - at NYY |
22. Andrew Cashner - at SF, ARI |
23. Jeff Samardzija - CIN, WAS Note: Rebounded nicely from the 8 ER massacre at MIL w/2.84 ERA, 23 Ks, and 3.8 K:BB ratio in last three outings |
24. Tim Hudson - SD, CIN |
25. Bartolo Colon - OAK, at PIT Note: He's allowed 2 or fewer in each of his last six outings |
26. Gio Gonzalez - at MIL, at CHC |
27. Phil Hughes - at TEX Note: Amazingly some still aren't buying in; I advised getting the jump on him back in PVM 6 |
28. Corey Kluber - at ARI Note: A little shaky in three straight before a hard-luck 7 IP/2 ER loss to DET |
29. Hisashi Iwakuma - BOS |
30. Doug Fister - at CHC |
31. Chris Archer - PIT Note: He has a 0.89 ERA with 43 Ks in his last seven with four scoreless outings |
32. Yordano Ventura - LAA |
33. Hyun-Jin Ryu - STL |
34. Jason Hammel - WAS |
35. Dallas Keuchel - DET Note: He had nice outings in April, but his 7.7 IP/2 ER gem at DET on May 8th felt like his coming out party |
36. Garrett Richards - MIN |
37. C.J. Wilson - MIN, at KC |
38. John Lackey - at SEA, at NYY |
39. Drew Smyly - at TEX, at HOU Note: A lack of run support has left him with a 1-2 record in June despite a 1.89 ERA in 19 IP |
40. Jose Quintana - at BAL, at TOR |
41. Jake Arrieta - CIN Note: Don't forget, he was once a blue-chip prospect with BAL |
42. Josh Beckett - STL Note: Since the no-no - 2.63 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 24 Ks, and 6.0 K:BB ratio in 24 IP |
43. Tyson Ross - ARI Note: Last four perfectly encapsulate his volatility - 6 IP/1 ER, 5.3 IP/5 ER, 7 IP/0 ER, and 5.7 IP/5 ER |
44. Mat Latos - at CHC Note: Still getting his footing, but 5 ER vs. TOR is hardly a crime |
45. Gerrit Cole - NYM Note: Few softer matchups available than the Mets as your first start off the DL |
46. Jon Niese - at PIT Note: He's an out away from six straight QS (5.7 IP/2 ER vs. PIT on May 27th); has a 2.83 ERA in 41.3 IP over those six starts |
47. James Shields - LAD Note: He's been unspectacular during KC's 13-5 June surge with a 4.81 ERA in four starts |
48. Jesse Chavez - at MIA Note: The Ks have tailed off since April, but he's still been useful, especially considering he cost nothing |
49. Kevin Gausman - TB Note: He'll be back up for Friday's doubleheader |
50. Justin Verlander - at HOU Note: Yes, I'm still starting him even if it's while holding my nose |
51. Collin McHugh - ATL Note: I continue to marvel at the exquisite K rate |
52. Nathan Eovaldi - at PHI, OAK Note: Some of the inconsistency that plagued him before has returned; still a high-ceiling profile |
53. Homer Bailey - at CHC, at SF Note: Still not operating at peak, but he's slowly chiseling down that ERA |
54. Lance Lynn - at COL, at LAD Note: This is a tough slate for the oft-frustrating righty |
55. Aaron Harang - at HOU, at PHI |
56. Matt Cain - SD, CIN Note: Diminished stuff has sapped the already-tenuous margin for error he'd been playing with for years |
57. Yovani Gallardo - WAS, COL |
58. Matt Garza - WAS, COL |
59. Ian Kennedy - at SF Note: Homers keeping him from the ERA that this skillset would usually yield |
60. Zack Wheeler - OAK Note: Love the 3-hitter in MIA, but OAK is scary as is Wheeler's volatility so far |
61. A.J. Burnett - MIA Note: Pleased by the 2.22 ERA over his last three, but just 10 Ks in 24.3 IP is alarming |
62. Mike Minor - at HOU Note: Lots of highs in that 4.20 ERA, but the lows include three 11 H outings and half of his 28 ER this year tied up in two of them |
63. Tanner Roark - at CHC |
64. Alfredo Simon - at CHC, at SF Note: 10 of his 30 ER have come in two poor starts - his only two bad ones out of 14 |
65. Andrew Heaney - at PHI, OAK Note: Impressive debut was overshadowed by Wheeler's shutout |
66. Jeff Locke - at TB, NYM |
67. Jered Weaver - at KC |
68. Matt Shoemaker - at KC Note: Needs to cut the HRs, but everything is prime yielding a 2.96 xFIP |
69. Trevor Bauer - at SEA Note: Still far from perfect, but the improved control makes him much more palatable |
70. Rick Porcello - at TEX |
71. Mark Buehrle - NYY, CWS |
72. Chase Whitley - at TOR, BOS Note: I'm buying even with this tough slate, he's been impressive with his control-oriented approach |
73. Hiroki Kuroda - at TOR Note: He may be breaking free from his malaise with three gems in his last four, but the skills are still unimpressive |
74. Danny Duffy - LAD |
75. Tim Lincecum - SD Note: Lots of mid- and low-tier plays getting a shot against SD this week |
76. Henderson Alvarez - at PHI Note: Has six scoreless outings this year including three shutouts |
77. Brandon McCarthy - at SD |
78. Ervin Santana - at PHI |
79. Wade Miley - CLE Note: The skills really aren't bad, but an 18% HR/FB rate has blown up his ERA |
80. Alex Wood - at HOU Note: Likely to rejoin the rotation in place of Floyd |
81. Travis Wood - WAS |
82. Ryan Vogelsong - CIN |
83. Mike Leake - at SF |
84. R.A. Dickey - CWS |
85. Jake Odorizzi - at BAL |
86. Kyle Lohse - COL Note: I'll still run Lohse and Peralta out there because it's in Miller Park |
87. Wily Peralta - COL |
88. Jesse Hahn - at SF Note: Posted back-to-back beauties after struggling in his MLB debut |
89. Justin Masterson - at ARI, at SEA Note: Even with the glimpses of quality lately, the inconsistency makes him tough to trust |
90. Kyle Gibson - at LAA, at TEX |
91. Wei-Yin Chen - CWS, TB Note: Gotta set it and forget it with Chen, he'll have ups and downs, but he'll find that high-3.00s, low-4.00s level by season's end |
92. Jarred Cosart - ATL |
93. Marcus Stroman - CWS |
94. Jason Vargas - LAA Note: Since that second 7 ER outing back in mid-May - 2.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 35 IP over five starts |
95. Roenis Elias - CLE Note: CLE is vulnerable against lefties |
96. Jaime Garcia - at COL Note: He's displayed some strong skills so far, but I worry about a trip to Coors |
97. Charlie Morton - at TB Note: I think familiarity got him last time out at CHC; they've seen him four times - two gems, two duds |
98. Chase Anderson - CLE Note: He's been a revelation for the D'Backs, but CLE smashes righties |
99. David Buchanan - MIA, ATL |
100. Josh Collmenter - at SD Note: It's easy to confidently pick on SD as you'll see with this next one, too… |