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 Aug. 18-24
AMERICAN LEAGUE
For the week Aug. 18-24
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
| 1. Max Scherzer - at TB, at MIN Note: 1.70 ERA in his last five starts (37 IP) with 46 Ks and a 6.6 K:BB ratio |
| 2. Felix Hernandez - at BOS |
| 3. Corey Kluber - at MIN Note: 1.31 ERA in his last eight starts (62 IP) with 70 Ks including five 10-K games |
| 4. David Price - at TB |
| 5. Chris Sale - at NYY |
| 6. Jon Lester - LAA Note: About the only thing in KC's way of late (2-0, 12 K, 4.0 K:BB ratio with OAK) |
| 7. Hisashi Iwakuma - at PHI |
| 8. Garrett Richards - at BOS Note: Has allowed 3 ER in three starts since back-to-back 4 ER outings |
| 9. Jose Quintana - BAL, at NYY Note: 2.11 ERA in his last 10 starts (64 IP) despite back-to-back 4 ER outings |
| 10. Sonny Gray - LAA |
| 11. Alex Cobb - DET Note: Shaved nearly a run off of his ERA in his last five starts (4.08 to 3.19) |
| 12. Scott Kazmir - NYM |
| 13. Yordano Ventura - at TEX |
| 14. Chris Archer - DET, at TOR Note: Two tough outings keeps this 2-start week down |
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 Aug. 18-24
AMERICAN LEAGUE
SIT
NATIONAL LEAGUE
SIT
MLB TOP 100
For the week Aug. 18-24
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
| 1. Max Scherzer - at TB, at MIN Note: 1.70 ERA in his last five starts (37 IP) with 46 Ks and a 6.6 K:BB ratio |
| 2. Felix Hernandez - at BOS |
| 3. Corey Kluber - at MIN Note: 1.31 ERA in his last eight starts (62 IP) with 70 Ks including five 10-K games |
| 4. David Price - at TB |
| 5. Chris Sale - at NYY |
| 6. Jon Lester - LAA Note: About the only thing in KC's way of late (2-0, 12 K, 4.0 K:BB ratio with OAK) |
| 7. Hisashi Iwakuma - at PHI |
| 8. Garrett Richards - at BOS Note: Has allowed 3 ER in three starts since back-to-back 4 ER outings |
| 9. Jose Quintana - BAL, at NYY Note: 2.11 ERA in his last 10 starts (64 IP) despite back-to-back 4 ER outings |
| 10. Sonny Gray - LAA |
| 11. Alex Cobb - DET Note: Shaved nearly a run off of his ERA in his last five starts (4.08 to 3.19) |
| 12. Scott Kazmir - NYM |
| 13. Yordano Ventura - at TEX |
| 14. Chris Archer - DET, at TOR Note: Two tough outings keeps this 2-start week down a little as he's still susceptible to that random dud |
| 15. James Shields - at COL Note: Moved down with a trip to Coors, but not someone I'd sit in any format |
| 16. Phil Hughes - CLE |
| 17. Dallas Keuchel - at NYY Note: Wrist issue behind him now with a 2.50 ERA in his last five starts |
| 18. Jeff Samardzija - NYM Note: Yet to allow more than 4 ER in a start with OAK |
| 19. Marcus Stroman - at MIL |
| 20. Collin McHugh - at CLE Note: CLE can be tough on RHP, but McHugh doesn't have a discernible platoon split to be concerned with |
| 21. Brandon McCarthy - HOU |
| 22. Matt Shoemaker - at BOS Note: Subbed in brilliantly during the 19 IP affair - 3 perfect IP w/4 Ks and the win |
| 23. Drew Smyly - at TOR |
| 24. Michael Pineda - HOU Note: Looked strong in his 67-pitch return; could be another low-pitch outing, but I'm still starting him |
| 25. Shane Greene - CWS |
| 26. Jake Odorizzi - DET |
| 27. James Paxton - at PHI Note: Just 4 ER allowed in 16.7 IP since returning from the DL (2.16 ERA) |
| 28. Chris Capuano - HOU, CWS Note: A year removed from 198.3 IP of 3.72 with a 3.0 K:BB ratio; this NYY run is believable |
| 29. Roenis Elias - at PHI, at BOS Note: 3.73 ERA in 10 road starts this year plus two of the easiest offenses in the league |
| 30. Jason Vargas - at MIN, at TEX |
| 31. Jered Weaver - at BOS, at OAK Note: His 4.80 road ERA is 1.91 runs higher than his home mark |
| 32. Rick Porcello - at TB |
| 33. Danny Duffy - at COL |
| 34. Chris Tillman - at CWS Note: Improving component numbers is breeding trust - 31 Ks, 6.2 K:BB, and 0.9 HR/9 rate in his last six starts (38.3 IP) |
| 35. Jeremy Hellickson - at TOR |
| 36. Wei-Yin Chen - at CWS Note: 2.86 ERA in his last seven starts (44 IP) with 37 Ks and a 4.6 K:BB |
| 37. Hiroki Kuroda - CWS |
| 38. Drew Hutchison - TB |
| 39. Chris Young - at BOS |
| 40. Brett Oberholtzer - at NYY, at CLE Note: Since returning from the DL - 3.02 ERA in 53.7 IP albeit with just 26 Ks |
| 41. Kevin Gausman - at CHC Note: We could finally see that breakout strikeout game from him (season-high of 7) |
| 42. J.A. Happ - at MIL |
| 43. Jason Hammel - LAA |
| 44. Hector Santiago - at OAK Note: Hasn't allowed more than 3 ER in any of his last seven outings (five starts) yielding a 1.95 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 2.0 K:BB ratio in 32.3 IP |
| 45. Mark Buehrle - TB |
| 46. Ubaldo Jimenez - at CHC Note: This is a spot start against a club that is toting a 25 percent K rate as a team since the break (highest in MLB) |
| 47. R.A. Dickey - at MIL |
| 48. Bud Norris - at CWS ,at CHC Note: Useful 3.10 ERA in his last five starts, but has failed to finish six in three of the five |
| 49. Trevor Bauer - at MIN, HOU Note: Last four are a perfect microcosm of his risk - 4.3 IP/5 ER, 7.3 IP/3 ER, 3.3 IP/5 ER, and 8 IP/2 ER ... feeling lucky? |
| 50. Kyle Gibson - CLE, DET Note: Similarly volatile - 7, 2, 5, 0, 6, 0, 3, 5, and 1 ER over his last nine (5.12 ERA) |
SIT
| 51. Danny Salazar - HOU Note: Was his trip to CIN a hiccup or a return of early season struggles? |
| 52. Joe Kelly - SEA Note: Continues to put up results despite unimpressive component numbers; correction definitely coming on 0.9 K:BB ratio |
| 53. Rubby De La Rosa - LAA |
| 54. Scott Feldman - at NYY |
| 55. C.J. Wilson - at BOS, at OAK Note: Looked better his last time out, not trusting him with a pair of roadies, though |
| 56. Brandon Workman - LAA, SEA |
| 57. John Danks - at NYY |
| 58. Jeremy Guthrie - at TEX Note: Too inconsistent to trust, even against a weakened TEX club |
| 59. Robbie Ray - at MIN Note: Wasn't bad in his return to MLB last week, but not ready for fantasy primetime |
| 60. Brad Peacock - at CLE |
| 61. Colby Lewis - KC |
| 62. Nick Tepesch - KC |
| 63. Carlos Carrasco - HOU |
| 64. Tommy Milone - DET |
| 65. Nick Martinez - KC |
| 66. Robbie Ross Jr. - at MIA |
| 67. Josh Tomlin - at MIN |
| 68. Allen Webster - LAA, SEA |
| 69. Hector Noesi - BAL |
| 70. Scott Carroll - BAL |
| 71. Clay Buchholz - LAA |
| 72. Trevor May - KC, DET Note: The big leagues are hard! |
| 73. Miles Mikolas - at MIA, KC |
| 74. Ricky Nolasco - CLE |
| 75. Justin Verlander Replacement - at MIN Note: There will also be a call-up for the doubleheader in MIN on Saturday. Neither player is likely to be someone worth chasing down, the Tigers just aren't that deep. |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
START
| 1. Johnny Cueto - at STL, ATL Note: Coors Shmoors |
| 2. Clayton Kershaw - NYM |
| 3. Jordan Zimmermann - ARI, SF |
| 4. Stephen Strasburg - ARI, SF Note: How do you net a 2.77 ERA in four starts with a 5 IP/7 ER in the mix? Give up 1 ER in the other three combined |
| 5. Cole Hamels - SEA Note: 1.87 ERA in his last 19 starts going fewer than 6 IP just once and fewer than 7 IP just twice |
| 6. Adam Wainwright - at PHI |
| 7. Julio Teheran - at CIN |
| 8. Zack Greinke - SD |
| 9. Madison Bumgarner - at CHC |
| 10. Jake Arrieta - BAL Note: Gets to show his old franchise what they're missing |
| 11. Lance Lynn - CIN |
| 12. Ian Kennedy - at LAD, at ARI Note: Has fanned fewer than five just once in his last 11 (72 Ks in 65.7 IP) |
| 13. Mat Latos - ATL Note: Ks are coming along - 4.8 K/9 in first five starts; 6.6 K/9 in last six |
| 14. Tyson Ross - at LAD |
| 15. Doug Fister - SF |
| 16. John Lackey - CIN Note: Two 7 IP/2 ER outings in his three starts w/STL, but 5 IP/9 ER is spoiling the bunch |
| 17. Zack Wheeler - at OAK |
| 18. Tanner Roark - ARI |
| 19. Alex Wood - at PIT Note: Grinding out a win v. OAK despite just 1 K with three walks and a homer allowed |
| 20. Gio Gonzalez - ARI |
| 21. Ervin Santana - at PIT, at CIN |
| 22. Wily Peralta - PIT |
| 23. Yovani Gallardo - PIT |
| 24. Kyle Hendricks - at NYM, BAL Note: I love Ks as much as the next guy, but a lack of them doesn't automatically mean a pitcher isn't good or is just getting lucky |
| 25. Bartolo Colon - CHC, at LAD |
| 26. Chase Anderson - at WAS, SD Note: 8 HR in first eight starts; 4 HR in his last seven |
| 27. Ryan Vogelsong - at CHC, at WAS |
| 28. Mike Fiers - TOR, PIT |
| 29. Nathan Eovaldi - TEX |
| 30. Gerrit Cole - at MIL Note: Threw 92 pit in final rehab start (7 IP/0 ER), but still playing it cautiously |
| 31. Tim Hudson - at WAS |
| 32. Jon Niese - at LAD |
| 33. Vance Worley - ATL Note: Survived against DET, also caught them at a great time |
| 34. Jake Peavy - at CHC |
| 35. Jesse Hahn - at ARI Note: 2.73 ERA in his last five starts, but with just a 1.3 K:BB ratio; fatigue setting in as he moves toward his finish line? |
| 36. Edinson Volquez - at MIL |
| 37. Francisco Liriano - ATL |
| 38. Jimmy Nelson - TOR Note: Be careful with TOR as they start getting their pieces back |
| 39. Wade Miley - at WAS |
| 40. Aaron Harang - at PIT, at CIN |
| 41. Dillon Gee - at OAK, at LAD |
| 42. Tsuyoshi Wada - SF, BAL Note: Another Cub who gets to show BAL what they're missing (originally signed by in winter of 2011) |
| 43. Mike Leake - at STL, ATL Note: K surge has featured nine games of 6+ Ks; had seven in all of 2013 |
| 44. A.J. Burnett - SEA |
| 45. David Buchanan - STL Note: Hasn't allowed more than 3 ER in any of his last eight starts (3.56 ERA) |
| 46. Trevor Cahill - at WAS Note: Since return to the rotation - 3.53 ERA in six starts with a 3.3 K:BB ratio |
| 47. Jeff Locke - at MIL |
| 48. Kevin Correia - SD, NYM Note: 3.52 ERA in his last 12 starts and gets two of the weaker offenses in the league |
| 49. Josh Collmenter - SD |
| 50. Alfredo Simon - at STL Note: Three shaky outings in a row; he's outright benched with another disaster |
| 51. Odrisamer Despaigne - at ARI Note: 5 Ks in first three starts combined has masked improvement (7.6 K/9, 2.2 K:BB in last six) |
| 52. Jarred Cosart - TEX |
| 53. Charlie Morton - ATL Note: 6.00 ERA in his last seven starts, but show plenty in previous 18 starts; plus ATL is a team to stream against these days |
| 54. Roberto Hernandez - SD Note: 1.99 ERA in his last six starts; ride the hot streak v. SD |
SIT
| 55. Dan Haren - NYM Note: Has just two 0 HR games in his last 17 starts (NYM near lg avg in HRs v. RHP) |
| 56. Shelby Miller - at PHI Note: Schedule keeps smiling on him (CHC, SD, BOS, MIA, SD), but I'm still skeptical |
| 57. Mike Minor - at CIN Note: His 6 games with 2+ HRs allowed is tied for third-most in baseball ... and he missed a month (Estrada leads MLB w/8) |
| 58. Tim Lincecum - at WAS |
| 59. Justin Masterson - CIN, at PHI Note: Nice work at MIA last time out, but still need to see more |
| 60. Jordan Lyles - MIA |
| 61. Tom Koehler - at COL Note: This is the kind of guy you auto-reserve in Coors, just doesn't have the pedigree to take such a risk |
| 62. Vidal Nuno - at WAS, SD |
| 63. Tyler Matzek - KC |
| 64. Henderson Alvarez - at COL |
| 65. Dylan Axelrod - ATL |
| 66. Travis Wood - SF |
| 67. Jorge De La Rosa - KC |
| 68. Franklin Morales - MIA |
| 69. Brad Hand/Penny - at COL Note: One of the Brads will be done with Alvarez back, but you don't want either |
| 70. Eric Stults - at LAD |
| 71. Edwin Jackson - SF |
| 72. Kyle Kendrick - STL |
| 73. Yohan Flande - MIA |
| 74. Jerome Williams - SEA, STL |
| • NYM and MIL going with four; PIT going with six - hence 74 names instead of the normal 75 |
MLB TOP 100
| 1. Max Scherzer - at TB, at MIN Note: 1.70 ERA in his last five starts (37 IP) with 46 Ks and a 6.6 K:BB ratio |
| 2. Johnny Cueto - at STL, ATL Note: Coors Shmoors |
| 3. Clayton Kershaw - NYM |
| 4. Jordan Zimmermann - ARI, SF |
| 5. Stephen Strasburg - ARI, SF Note: How do you net a 2.77 ERA in four starts with a 5 IP/7 ER in the mix? Give up 1 ER in the other three combined |
| 6. Cole Hamels - SEA Note: 1.87 ERA in his last 19 starts going fewer than 6 IP just once and fewer than 7 IP just twice |
| 7. Felix Hernandez - at BOS |
| 8. Corey Kluber - at MIN Note: 1.31 ERA in his last eight starts (62 IP) with 70 Ks including five 10-K games |
| 9. Adam Wainwright - at PHI |
| 10. David Price - at TB |
| 11. Chris Sale - at NYY |
| 12. Julio Teheran - at CIN |
| 13. Zack Greinke - SD |
| 14. Jon Lester - LAA Note: About the only thing in KC's way of late (2-0, 12 K, 4.0 K:BB ratio with OAK) |
| 15. Hisashi Iwakuma - at PHI |
| 16. Madison Bumgarner - at CHC |
| 17. Garrett Richards - at BOS Note: Has allowed 3 ER in three starts since back-to-back 4 ER outings |
| 18. Jose Quintana - BAL, at NYY Note: 2.11 ERA in his last 10 starts (64 IP) despite back-to-back 4 ER outings |
| 19. Sonny Gray - LAA |
| 20. Jake Arrieta - BAL Note: Gets to show his old franchise what they're missing |
| 21. Lance Lynn - CIN |
| 22. Ian Kennedy - at LAD, at ARI Note: Has fanned fewer than five just once in his last 11 (72 Ks in 65.7 IP) |
| 23. Mat Latos - ATL Note: Ks are coming along - 4.8 K/9 in first five starts; 6.6 K/9 in last six |
| 24. Tyson Ross - at LAD |
| 25. Alex Cobb - DET Note: Shaved nearly a run off of his ERA in his last five starts (4.08 to 3.19) |
| 26. Scott Kazmir - NYM |
| 27. Doug Fister - SF |
| 28. John Lackey - CIN Note: Two 7 IP/2 ER outings in his three starts w/STL, but 5 IP/9 ER is spoiling the bunch |
| 29. Yordano Ventura - at TEX |
| 30. Chris Archer - DET, at TOR Note: Two tough outings keeps this 2-start week down a little as he's still susceptible to that random dud |
| 31. James Shields - at COL Note: Moved down with a trip to Coors, but not someone I'd sit in any format |
| 32. Zack Wheeler - at OAK |
| 33. Tanner Roark - ARI |
| 34. Alex Wood - at PIT Note: Grinding out a win v. OAK despite just 1 K with three walks and a homer allowed |
| 35. Gio Gonzalez - ARI |
| 36. Phil Hughes - CLE |
| 37. Dallas Keuchel - at NYY Note: Wrist issue behind him now with a 2.50 ERA in his last five starts |
| 38. Jeff Samardzija - NYM Note: Yet to allow more than 4 ER in a start with OAK |
| 39. Marcus Stroman - at MIL |
| 40. Collin McHugh - at CLE Note: CLE can be tough on RHP, but McHugh doesn't have a discernible platoon split to be concerned with |
| 41. Brandon McCarthy - HOU |
| 42. Matt Shoemaker - at BOS Note: Subbed in brilliantly during the 19 IP affair - 3 perfect IP w/4 Ks and the win |
| 43. Drew Smyly - at TOR |
| 44. Michael Pineda - HOU Note: Looked strong in his 67-pitch return; could be another low-pitch outing, but I'm still starting him |
| 45. Shane Greene - CWS |
| 46. Jake Odorizzi - DET |
| 47. James Paxton - at PHI Note: Just 4 ER allowed in 16.7 IP since returning from the DL (2.16 ERA) |
| 48. Ervin Santana - at PIT, at CIN |
| 49. Wily Peralta - PIT |
| 50. Yovani Gallardo - PIT |
| 51. Kyle Hendricks - at NYM, BAL Note: I love Ks as much as the next guy, but a lack of them doesn't automatically mean a pitcher isn't good or is just getting lucky |
| 52. Bartolo Colon - CHC, at LAD |
| 53. Chase Anderson - at WAS, SD Note: 8 HR in first eight starts; 4 HR in his last seven |
| 54. Ryan Vogelsong - at CHC, at WAS |
| 55. Mike Fiers - TOR, PIT |
| 56. Chris Capuano - HOU, CWS Note: A year removed from 198.3 IP of 3.72 with a 3.0 K:BB ratio; this NYY run is believable |
| 57. Roenis Elias - at PHI, at BOS Note: 3.73 ERA in 10 road starts this year plus two of the easiest offenses in the league |
| 58. Jason Vargas - at MIN, at TEX |
| 59. Jered Weaver - at BOS, at OAK Note: His 4.80 road ERA is 1.91 runs higher than his home mark |
| 60. Nathan Eovaldi - TEX |
| 61. Gerrit Cole - at MIL Note: Threw 92 pit in final rehab start (7 IP/0 ER), but still playing it cautiously |
| 62. Tim Hudson - at WAS |
| 63. Rick Porcello - at TB |
| 64. Danny Duffy - at COL |
| 65. Chris Tillman - at CWS Note: Improving component numbers is breeding trust - 31 Ks, 6.2 K:BB, and 0.9 HR/9 rate in his last six starts (38.3 IP) |
| 66. Jon Niese - at LAD |
| 67. Vance Worley - ATL Note: Survived against DET, also caught them at a great time |
| 68. Jake Peavy - at CHC |
| 69. Jesse Hahn - at ARI Note: 2.73 ERA in his last five starts, but with just a 1.3 K:BB ratio; fatigue setting in as he moves toward his finish line? |
| 70. Edinson Volquez - at MIL |
| 71. Francisco Liriano - ATL |
| 72. Jimmy Nelson - TOR Note: Be careful with TOR as they start getting their pieces back |
| 73. Wade Miley - at WAS |
| 74. Aaron Harang - at PIT, at CIN |
| 75. Dillon Gee - at OAK, at LAD |
| 76. Tsuyoshi Wada - SF, BAL Note: Another Cub who gets to show BAL what they're missing (originally signed by in winter of 2011) |
| 77. Mike Leake - at STL, ATL Note: K surge has featured nine games of 6+ Ks; had seven in all of 2013 |
| 78. Jeremy Hellickson - at TOR |
| 79. Wei-Yin Chen - at CWS Note: 2.86 ERA in his last seven starts (44 IP) with 37 Ks and a 4.6 K:BB |
| 80. Hiroki Kuroda - CWS |
| 81. Drew Hutchison - TB |
| 82. Chris Young - at BOS |
| 83. Brett Oberholtzer - at NYY, at CLE Note: Since returning from the DL - 3.02 ERA in 53.7 IP albeit with just 26 Ks |
| 84. A.J. Burnett - SEA |
| 85. David Buchanan - STL Note: Hasn't allowed more than 3 ER in any of his last eight starts (3.56 ERA) |
| 86. Trevor Cahill - at WAS Note: Since return to the rotation - 3.53 ERA in six starts with a 3.3 K:BB ratio |
| 87. Jeff Locke - at MIL |
| 88. Kevin Correia - SD, NYM Note: 3.52 ERA in his last 12 starts and gets two of the weaker offenses in the league |
| 89. Josh Collmenter - SD |
| 90. Alfredo Simon - at STL Note: Three shaky outings in a row; he's outright benched with another disaster |
| 91. Odrisamer Despaigne - at ARI Note: 5 Ks in first three starts combined has masked improvement (7.6 K/9, 2.2 K:BB in last six) |
| 92. Jarred Cosart - TEX |
| 93. Charlie Morton - ATL Note: 6.00 ERA in his last seven starts, but show plenty in previous 18 starts; plus ATL is a team to stream against these days |
| 94. Kevin Gausman - at CHC Note: We could finally see that breakout strikeout game from him (season-high of 7) |
| 95. J.A. Happ - at MIL |
| 96. Jason Hammel - LAA |
| 97. Hector Santiago - at OAK Note: Hasn't allowed more than 3 ER in any of his last seven outings (five starts) yielding a 1.95 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 2.0 K:BB ratio in 32.3 IP |
| 98. Mark Buehrle - TB |
| 99. Ubaldo Jimenez - at CHC Note: This is a spot start against a club that is toting a 25 percent K rate as a team since the break (highest in MLB) |
| 100. R.A. Dickey - at MIL |
