This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.
I don't recall a poorer weekly slate this year, and it could get worse. Friday was painful for pitching as Max Scherzer (neck spasm) and Jon Lester (sore shoulder) were placed on the disabled list. On top of that, Corey Kluber sprained his ankle while Drew Pomeranz left early with back spasms.
Of the healthy and upper-tier pitchers with a pair of starts, the Dodgers rule the roost as Alex Wood sits atop the rankings.
UPDATED: Sunday 11:30 PM ET
AMERICAN LEAGUE
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPPONENT | COMMENT |
1 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. BOS, vs. KC | 19 K, 3 BB last 2 GS, covering 13 IP |
2 | Chris Archer | TB | vs. TOR, at STL | Homers continue to plague otherwise outstanding skills |
3 | Cole Hamels | TEX | at LAA, at OAK | Outpitching skills but matchups so juicy |
4 | Charlie Morton | HOU | vs. WAS, at LAA | Continuing to exceed expectations |
5 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | at DET, vs. SEA | Slated to come off DL after successful bullpen on Friday |
6 | Chris Sale | BOS | at CLE | |
7 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | at TB | Pedestrian peripherals but limiting the long ball |
8 | Justin Verlander | DET | at CWS | 2.72 ERA, .99 WHIP with 10.1 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 since break |
9 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. BOS | |
10 | Luis Severino | NYY | at DET | |
11 | Ervin Santana | MIN | at CWS | Whiffs up, walks down |
12 | Carlos Rodon | CWS | vs. MIN, vs. DET | Walks down, so is ERA, funny how that works |
13 | Michael Fulmer | DET | at CWS | Burned by high hit |
I don't recall a poorer weekly slate this year, and it could get worse. Friday was painful for pitching as Max Scherzer (neck spasm) and Jon Lester (sore shoulder) were placed on the disabled list. On top of that, Corey Kluber sprained his ankle while Drew Pomeranz left early with back spasms.
Of the healthy and upper-tier pitchers with a pair of starts, the Dodgers rule the roost as Alex Wood sits atop the rankings.
UPDATED: Sunday 11:30 PM ET
AMERICAN LEAGUE
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPPONENT | COMMENT |
1 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. BOS, vs. KC | 19 K, 3 BB last 2 GS, covering 13 IP |
2 | Chris Archer | TB | vs. TOR, at STL | Homers continue to plague otherwise outstanding skills |
3 | Cole Hamels | TEX | at LAA, at OAK | Outpitching skills but matchups so juicy |
4 | Charlie Morton | HOU | vs. WAS, at LAA | Continuing to exceed expectations |
5 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | at DET, vs. SEA | Slated to come off DL after successful bullpen on Friday |
6 | Chris Sale | BOS | at CLE | |
7 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | at TB | Pedestrian peripherals but limiting the long ball |
8 | Justin Verlander | DET | at CWS | 2.72 ERA, .99 WHIP with 10.1 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 since break |
9 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. BOS | |
10 | Luis Severino | NYY | at DET | |
11 | Ervin Santana | MIN | at CWS | Whiffs up, walks down |
12 | Carlos Rodon | CWS | vs. MIN, vs. DET | Walks down, so is ERA, funny how that works |
13 | Michael Fulmer | DET | at CWS | Burned by high hit rate lately |
14 | Tyler Skaggs | LAA | vs. TEX, vs. HOU | On bereavement, may not make first start |
15 | Danny Salazar | CLE | vs. KC | 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP with 46 K and 9 BB in 32 1/3 IP since returning to rotation |
16 | Danny Duffy | KC | vs. COL, at CLE | Poised for another late flourish |
17 | Jose Berrios | MIN | at CWS | |
18 | J.A. Happ | TOR | at TB | |
19 | Alex Cobb | TB | vs. TOR | Slated to return from turf toe |
20 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. OAK | |
21 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | vs. WAS | Strike outs down, but only 1 ER alowed last 13 2/3 IP |
22 | Andrew Heaney | LAA | vs. TEX | Odd line last time vs. BAL: 5 IP, 5 K, 0 BB, 4 HR |
23 | Sonny Gray | NYY | vs. SEA | |
24 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at CLE, vs. BAL | |
25 | Mike Fiers | HOU | vs. WAS | |
26 | Collin McHugh | HOU | at LAA | |
27 | Mike Clevinger | CLE | vs. BOS, vs. KC | |
28 | Ariel Miranda | SEA | at NYY | |
29 | Chris Rowley | TOR | at TB, vs. MIN | |
30 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. MIN, vs. DET | 2017 debut on Tuesday |
31 | CC Sabathia | NYY | vs. SEA | |
32 | Erasmo Ramirez | SEA | at ATL | |
33 | A.J. Griffin | TEX | at OAK | |
34 | Matt Boyd | DET | vs. NYY, at CWS | |
35 | Chris Smith | OAK | at BAL, vs. TEX | |
36 | Martin Perez | TEX | at LAA | |
37 | Rick Porcello | BOS | vs. BAL | |
38 | JC Ramirez | LAA | vs. TEX | |
39 | Ian Kennedy | KC | vs. COL | |
40 | Brad Peacock | HOU | at LAA | |
41 | Ricky Nolasco | LAA | vs. TEX, vs. HOU | |
42 | Drew Pomeranz | BOS | at CLE | Left last start with back spasms |
43 | Kendall Graveman | OAK | vs. TEX | |
44 | Andrew Cashner | TEX | at LAA | |
45 | Miguel Gonzalez | CWS | vs. DET | |
46 | Austin Pruitt | TB | vs. TOR | |
47 | Tyson Ross | TEX | at LAA, at OAK | Cake matchups wasted on a gas can |
48 | Jason Vargas | KC | at CLE | |
49 | Parker Bridwell | LAA | vs. HOU | |
50 | Jake Odorizzi | TB | at STL | |
51 | Jharel Cotton | OAK | vs. TEX | |
52 | Jake Junis | KC | vs. COL | |
53 | Sean Manaea | OAK | at BAL | |
54 | Marco Estrada | TOR | vs. MIN | |
55 | Tim Melville | MIN | at CWS | |
56 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | vs. BOS | |
57 | Dillon Gee | MIN | at TOR, at CWS | |
58 | Jason Hammel | KC | at CLE | |
59 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | at CWS, at TOR | |
60 | Blake Snell | TB | at STL | Looked better last two outings, but low K totals |
61 | Wade Miley | BAL | vs. OAK | |
62 | Jeremy Hellickson | BAL | at BOS | |
63 | Doug Fister | BOS | at CLE, vs. BAL | |
64 | Ubaldo Jimenez | BAL | vs. OAK | |
65 | Andrew Albers | SEA | at ATL, at NYY | |
66 | James Shields | CWS | vs. MIN | |
67 | Buck Farmer | DET | vs. NYY | |
68 | Kevin Gausman | BAL | at BOS | |
69 | Nick Tepesch | TOR | vs. MIN | |
70 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | vs. NYY | |
71 | Derek Holland | CWS | vs. MIN | |
72 | Paul Blackburn | OAK | at BAL | |
73 | Jaime Garcia | NYY | at DET | |
74 | Bartolo Colon | MIN | at TOR | |
75 | Yovani Gallardo | SEA | at NYY | |
76 | Carson Fulmer | CWS | vs. MIN | |
77 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | at ATL | |
78 | Chris Tillman | BAL | at BOS |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rank | Pitcher | TEAM | Opponent(s) | Comments |
1 | Alex Wood | LAD | at PIT, vs. MIL | |
2 | Aaron Nola | PHI | vs. CHC, vs. MIA | |
3 | Lance Lynn | STL | vs. SD, vs. TB | Great matchups |
4 | Max Scherzer | WAS | vs. NYM | Expected to make weekend start |
5 | Dan Straily | MIA | at PHI, vs. SD | Tossed 6 IP only once in last 7 GS |
6 | Taijuan Walker | ARI | at NYM, vs. SF | At least 1 HR allowed 7 straight efforts |
7 | Yu Darvish | LAD | vs. MIL | Expected to return for the weekend |
8 | Carlos Martinez | STL | vs. SD | |
9 | Jimmy Nelson | MIL | at SF, at LAD | Bounced back nicely after round outing vs. Cin |
10 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | at ARI | |
11 | Zack Greinke | ARI | vs. SF | |
12 | Gerrit Cole | PIT | vs. LAD, at CIN | 3.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP with 9.2 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 since break |
13 | Robbie Ray | ARI | at NYM | Expected to return, fanned 11 in just 4 IP final rehab start |
14 | Patrick Corbin | ARI | at NYM, vs. SF | 25 K, 4 BB, 3 ER last three outings, spanning 21 1/3 iP |
15 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | vs. MIL | |
16 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | vs. MIL | |
17 | Michael Wacha | STL | vs. TB | |
18 | Jose Quintana | CHC | at PHI | Not as sharp as just before the trade |
19 | Gio Gonzalez | WAS | vs. NYM | Check latest Z Files, still adament regression is coming |
20 | Zack Godley | ARI | at NYM | |
21 | John Lackey | CHC | at CIN, at PHI | Allowed 3 or fewer ER 9 of last 10 GS |
22 | Steven Matz | NYM | vs. ARI, at WAS | |
23 | Jon Gray | COL | at KC, at ATL | Getting it in gear, in line for strong finish |
24 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at HOU | |
25 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | at PHI | |
26 | Tanner Roark | WAS | at HOU, vs. NYM | |
27 | Luis Castillo | CIN | vs. PIT | Where have the whiffs gone? |
28 | Mike Leake | STL | vs. TB | |
29 | Adam Conley | MIA | vs. SD | Skills pedestrian, rank buoyed by opponent |
30 | Jake Arrieta | CHC | at CIN | 7 QS in last 8 GS |
31 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | at WAS | |
32 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | vs. LAD, at CIN | Should see a hit rate correction |
33 | Rich Hill | LAD | at PIT | 5 HR allowed in 16 IP in August |
34 | Luke Weaver | STL | vs. SD | Likely to take Wainwright's spot |
35 | Zach Davies | MIL | at SF, at LAD | |
36 | Mike Foltynewicz | ATL | vs. SEA, vs. COL | |
37 | Jose Urena | MIA | at PHI | |
38 | Ivan Nova | PIT | at CIN | |
39 | Justin Nicolino | MIA | at PHI | |
40 | Chase Anderson | MIL | at LAD | Tough draw first game back from DL |
41 | Dinelson Lamet | SD | at MIA | |
42 | Brock Stewart | LAD | at PIT | Filling in for Darvish |
43 | Mark Leiter | PHI | vs. CHC | |
44 | Ben Lively | PHI | vs. CHC | |
45 | Vance Worley | MIA | at PHI | |
46 | Chris Stratton | SF | vs. MIL, at ARI | |
47 | R.A. Dickey | ATL | vs. SEA | |
48 | Chad Bettis | COL | at ATL | |
49 | Nick Pivetta | PHI | vs. MIA | |
50 | Homer Bailey | CIN | vs. CHC, vs. PIT | |
51 | A.J. Cole | WAS | vs. NYM | |
52 | Mike Montgomery | CHC | at CIN | |
53 | Matt Moore | SF | vs. MIL | |
54 | Julio Teheran | ATL | vs. COL | |
55 | German Marquez | COL | at KC | |
56 | Jerad Eickhoff | PHI | vs. MIA | |
57 | Lucas Sims | ATL | vs. SEA | |
58 | Odrisamer Despaigne | MIA | vs. SD | |
59 | Chris Flexen | NYM | vs. ARI | |
60 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. LAD | |
61 | Travis Wood | SD | at MIA | |
62 | Jhoulys Chacin | SD | at STL | |
63 | Zach Eflin | PHI | vs. MIA | |
64 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | LAD | at PIT | |
65 | Matt Garza | MIL | at SF | |
66 | Sean Newcomb | ATL | vs. COL | |
67 | Robert Gsellman | NYM | vs. ARI, at WAS | |
68 | Robert Stephenson | CIN | vs. PIT | |
69 | Clayton Richard | SD | at STL, at MIA | |
70 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | vs. LAD | |
71 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | at KC | |
72 | Ty Blach | SF | at ARI | |
73 | Asher Wojciechowski | CIN | vs. CHC | |
74 | Sal Romano | CIN | vs. CHC | |
75 | Luis Perdomo | SD | at STL | |
76 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at ATL | |
77 | Rafael Montero | NYM | vs. ARI | |
78 | Edwin Jackson | WAS | at HOU | |
79 | Tyler Pill | NYM | at WAS |
MLB
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPPONENT | COMMENT |
1 | Alex Wood | LAD | at PIT, vs. MIL | |
2 | Aaron Nola | PHI | vs. CHC, vs. MIA | |
3 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. BOS, vs. KC | 19 K, 3 BB last 2 GS, covering 13 IP |
4 | Lance Lynn | STL | vs. SD, vs. TB | Great matchups |
5 | Chris Archer | TB | vs. TOR, at STL | Homers continue to plague otherwise outstanding skills |
6 | Max Scherzer | WAS | vs. NYM | Expected to make weekend start |
7 | Cole Hamels | TEX | at LAA, at OAK | Outpitching skills but matchups so juicy |
8 | Dan Straily | MIA | at PHI, vs. SD | Tossed 6 IP only once in last 7 GS |
9 | Charlie Morton | HOU | vs. WAS, at LAA | Continuing to exceed expectations |
10 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | at DET, vs. SEA | Slated to come off DL after successful bullpen on Friday |
11 | Chris Sale | BOS | at CLE | |
12 | Taijuan Walker | ARI | at NYM, vs. SF | At least 1 HR allowed 7 straight efforts |
13 | Yu Darvish | LAD | vs. MIL | Expected to return for the weekend |
14 | Carlos Martinez | STL | vs. SD | |
15 | Jimmy Nelson | MIL | at SF, at LAD | Bounced back nicely after round outing vs. Cin |
16 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | at TB | Pedestrian peripherals but limiting the long ball |
17 | Justin Verlander | DET | at CWS | 2.72 ERA, .99 WHIP with 10.1 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 since break |
18 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | at ARI | |
19 | Zack Greinke | ARI | vs. SF | |
20 | Gerrit Cole | PIT | vs. LAD, at CIN | 3.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP with 9.2 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 since break |
21 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. BOS | |
22 | Robbie Ray | ARI | at NYM | Expected to return, fanned 11 in just 4 IP final rehab start |
23 | Luis Severino | NYY | at DET | |
24 | Patrick Corbin | ARI | at NYM, vs. SF | 25 K, 4 BB, 3 ER last three outings, spanning 21 1/3 iP |
25 | Ervin Santana | MIN | at CWS | Whiffs up, walks down |
26 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | vs. MIL | |
27 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | vs. MIL | |
28 | Carlos Rodon | CWS | vs. MIN, vs. DET | Walks down, so is ERA, funny how that works |
29 | Michael Wacha | STL | vs. TB | |
30 | Jose Quintana | CHC | at PHI | Not as sharp as just before the trade |
31 | Michael Fulmer | DET | at CWS | Burned by high hit rate lately |
32 | Tyler Skaggs | LAA | vs. TEX, vs. HOU | On bereavement, may not make first start |
33 | Gio Gonzalez | WAS | vs. NYM | Check latest Z Files, still adament regression is coming |
34 | Zack Godley | ARI | at NYM | |
35 | John Lackey | CHC | at CIN, at PHI | Allowed 3 or fewer ER 9 of last 10 GS |
36 | Steven Matz | NYM | vs. ARI, at WAS | |
37 | Danny Salazar | CLE | vs. KC | 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP with 46 K and 9 BB in 32 1/3 IP since returning to rotation |
38 | Jon Gray | COL | at KC, at ATL | Getting it in gear, in line for strong finish |
39 | Danny Duffy | KC | vs. COL, at CLE | Poised for another late flourish |
40 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at HOU | |
41 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | at PHI | |
42 | Jose Berrios | MIN | at CWS | |
43 | J.A. Happ | TOR | at TB | |
44 | Alex Cobb | TB | vs. TOR | Slated to return from turf toe |
45 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. OAK | |
46 | Tanner Roark | WAS | at HOU, vs. NYM | |
47 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | vs. WAS | Strike outs down, but only 1 ER alowed last 13 2/3 IP |
48 | Luis Castillo | CIN | vs. PIT | Where have the whiffs gone? |
49 | Andrew Heaney | LAA | vs. TEX | Odd line last time vs. BAL: 5 IP, 5 K, 0 BB, 4 HR |
50 | Mike Leake | STL | vs. TB | |
51 | Adam Conley | MIA | vs. SD | Skills pedestrian, rank buoyed by opponent |
52 | Jake Arrieta | CHC | at CIN | 7 QS in last 8 GS |
53 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | at WAS | |
54 | Sonny Gray | NYY | vs. SEA | |
55 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | vs. LAD, at CIN | Should see a hit rate correction |
56 | Rich Hill | LAD | at PIT | 5 HR allowed in 16 IP in August |
57 | Luke Weaver | STL | vs. SD | Likely to take Wainwright's spot |
58 | Zach Davies | MIL | at SF, at LAD | |
59 | Mike Foltynewicz | ATL | vs. SEA, vs. COL | |
60 | Jose Urena | MIA | at PHI | |
61 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at CLE, vs. BAL | |
62 | Ivan Nova | PIT | at CIN | |
63 | Mike Fiers | HOU | vs. WAS | |
64 | Collin McHugh | HOU | at LAA | |
65 | Justin Nicolino | MIA | at PHI | |
66 | Mike Clevinger | CLE | vs. BOS, vs. KC | |
67 | Ariel Miranda | SEA | at NYY | |
68 | Chris Rowley | TOR | at TB, vs. MIN | |
69 | Chase Anderson | MIL | at LAD | Tough draw first game back from DL |
70 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. MIN, vs. DET | 2017 debut on Tuesday |
71 | CC Sabathia | NYY | vs. SEA | |
72 | Dinelson Lamet | SD | at MIA | |
73 | Brock Stewart | LAD | at PIT | Filling in for Darvish |
74 | Mark Leiter | PHI | vs. CHC | |
75 | Erasmo Ramirez | SEA | at ATL | |
76 | A.J. Griffin | TEX | at OAK | |
77 | Matt Boyd | DET | vs. NYY, at CWS | |
78 | Chris Smith | OAK | at BAL, vs. TEX | |
79 | Ben Lively | PHI | vs. CHC | |
80 | Martin Perez | TEX | at LAA | |
81 | Vance Worley | MIA | at PHI | |
82 | Chris Stratton | SF | vs. MIL, at ARI | |
83 | R.A. Dickey | ATL | vs. SEA | |
84 | Chad Bettis | COL | at ATL | |
85 | Rick Porcello | BOS | vs. BAL | |
86 | JC Ramirez | LAA | vs. TEX | |
87 | Nick Pivetta | PHI | vs. MIA | |
88 | Ian Kennedy | KC | vs. COL | |
89 | Homer Bailey | CIN | vs. CHC, vs. PIT | |
90 | Brad Peacock | HOU | at LAA | |
91 | Ricky Nolasco | LAA | vs. TEX, vs. HOU | |
92 | Drew Pomeranz | BOS | at CLE | Left last start with back spasms |
93 | A.J. Cole | WAS | vs. NYM | |
94 | Kendall Graveman | OAK | vs. TEX | |
95 | Mike Montgomery | CHC | at CIN | |
96 | Andrew Cashner | TEX | at LAA | |
97 | Miguel Gonzalez | CWS | vs. DET | |
98 | Austin Pruitt | TB | vs. TOR | |
99 | Matt Moore | SF | vs. MIL | |
100 | Julio Teheran | ATL | vs. COL | |
101 | German Marquez | COL | at KC | |
102 | Tyson Ross | TEX | at LAA, at OAK | Cake matchups wasted on a gas can |
103 | Jason Vargas | KC | at CLE | |
104 | Jerad Eickhoff | PHI | vs. MIA | |
105 | Lucas Sims | ATL | vs. SEA | |
106 | Parker Bridwell | LAA | vs. HOU | |
107 | Jake Odorizzi | TB | at STL | |
108 | Odrisamer Despaigne | MIA | vs. SD | |
109 | Chris Flexen | NYM | vs. ARI | |
110 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. LAD | |
111 | Jharel Cotton | OAK | vs. TEX | |
112 | Travis Wood | SD | at MIA | |
113 | Jhoulys Chacin | SD | at STL | |
114 | Zach Eflin | PHI | vs. MIA | |
115 | Jake Junis | KC | vs. COL | |
116 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | LAD | at PIT | |
117 | Matt Garza | MIL | at SF | |
118 | Sean Newcomb | ATL | vs. COL | |
119 | Sean Manaea | OAK | at BAL | |
120 | Robert Gsellman | NYM | vs. ARI, at WAS | |
121 | Robert Stephenson | CIN | vs. PIT | |
122 | Clayton Richard | SD | at STL, at MIA | |
123 | Marco Estrada | TOR | vs. MIN | |
124 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | vs. LAD | |
125 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | at KC | |
126 | Tim Melville | MIN | at CWS | |
127 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | vs. BOS | |
128 | Ty Blach | SF | at ARI | |
129 | Dillon Gee | MIN | at TOR, at CWS | |
130 | Jason Hammel | KC | at CLE | |
131 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | at CWS, at TOR | |
132 | Blake Snell | TB | at STL | Looked better last two outings, but low K totals |
133 | Asher Wojciechowski | CIN | vs. CHC | |
134 | Wade Miley | BAL | vs. OAK | |
135 | Jeremy Hellickson | BAL | at BOS | |
136 | Sal Romano | CIN | vs. CHC | |
137 | Doug Fister | BOS | at CLE, vs. BAL | |
138 | Ubaldo Jimenez | BAL | vs. OAK | |
139 | Andrew Albers | SEA | at ATL, at NYY | |
140 | James Shields | CWS | vs. MIN | |
141 | Buck Farmer | DET | vs. NYY | |
142 | Kevin Gausman | BAL | at BOS | |
143 | Nick Tepesch | TOR | vs. MIN | |
144 | Luis Perdomo | SD | at STL | |
145 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | vs. NYY | |
146 | Derek Holland | CWS | vs. MIN | |
147 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at ATL | |
148 | Paul Blackburn | OAK | at BAL | |
149 | Jaime Garcia | NYY | at DET | |
150 | Rafael Montero | NYM | vs. ARI | |
151 | Bartolo Colon | MIN | at TOR | |
152 | Yovani Gallardo | SEA | at NYY | |
153 | Carson Fulmer | CWS | vs. MIN | |
154 | Edwin Jackson | WAS | at HOU | |
155 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | at ATL | |
156 | Chris Tillman | BAL | at BOS | |
157 | Tyler Pill | NYM | at WAS |