Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Down the Stretch They Come

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Down the Stretch They Come

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.

Well, friends, barring some extenuation circumstances, we made it. This final week comes with the usual caveats. Teams could shorten or skip the final outing if they're gearing up for the playoffs. Clubs playing out the string might shut their guys down early. With wins so tight this season, the category could decide many leagues the final week.

There's a good chance the Cardinals and Tigers will play Games 59 and 60 on Monday, Sept. 28. St. Louis is in a three-way tie at .500 for the last two NL playoff berths. The games will be played only if the postseason is on the line. 

For the week of Sept. 21-27

UPDATED: Monday, September 21, 12:15 AM ET

MLB

RankPitcherTMOPP 
1Gerrit ColeNYY@TOR, MIAWith playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short
2Jacob deGromNYMTB, @WASNo playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy
3Shane BieberCLECWS, PITSunday start could be skipped
4Dylan BundyLAATEX, @LADTwo more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day
5Luis CastilloCINMIL, @MIN 
6German MarquezCOL@SF, @ARIBeatable offense on the road
7Max ScherzerWASNYM 
8Framber ValdezHOU@SEA, @TEXIn a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP
9Aaron CivaleCLECWS, PITControl off lately, but overall solid campaign
10Brandon WoodruffMIL@CIN, @STLFacing two teams in a battle for

Well, friends, barring some extenuation circumstances, we made it. This final week comes with the usual caveats. Teams could shorten or skip the final outing if they're gearing up for the playoffs. Clubs playing out the string might shut their guys down early. With wins so tight this season, the category could decide many leagues the final week.

There's a good chance the Cardinals and Tigers will play Games 59 and 60 on Monday, Sept. 28. St. Louis is in a three-way tie at .500 for the last two NL playoff berths. The games will be played only if the postseason is on the line. 

For the week of Sept. 21-27

UPDATED: Monday, September 21, 12:15 AM ET

MLB

RankPitcherTMOPP 
1Gerrit ColeNYY@TOR, MIAWith playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short
2Jacob deGromNYMTB, @WASNo playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy
3Shane BieberCLECWS, PITSunday start could be skipped
4Dylan BundyLAATEX, @LADTwo more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day
5Luis CastilloCINMIL, @MIN 
6German MarquezCOL@SF, @ARIBeatable offense on the road
7Max ScherzerWASNYM 
8Framber ValdezHOU@SEA, @TEXIn a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP
9Aaron CivaleCLECWS, PITControl off lately, but overall solid campaign
10Brandon WoodruffMIL@CIN, @STLFacing two teams in a battle for last two NL playoff spots
11Zack GreinkeHOU@SEA 
12Zac GallenARITEX 
13Blake SnellTB@NYM 
14Trevor BauerCINMIL 
15Adam WainwrightSTL@KC, MILThe remarkable renaissance continues.
16Jesus LuzardoOAK@SEA 
17Kenta MaedaMINDET 
18Mike ClevingerSDLAAFinally finding groove since the deal
19Lucas GiolitoCWS@CLE 
20Yu DarvishCHC@CWS 
21Clayton KershawLADLAA 
22Lance LynnTEXHOU 
23Hyun-Jin RyuTORBAL 
24Jose BerriosMINCIN 
25Zack WheelerPHI@WAS, @TBDidn't miss time with fingernail issue, but still could be a concern
26Patrick CorbinWASNYM 
27Corbin BurnesMIL@STL3-0, .38 ERA, .76 WHIP with 38 K over last 23.2 IP
28Frankie MontasOAK@LAD, SEADisappointing season getting worse down the stretch
29Marco GonzalesSEAHOU, @OAK 
30Kyle HendricksCHC@PIT 
31Brady SingerKCSTL, DETQuietly having strong rookie campaign
32Michael PinedaMINCINPitching well since his return
33Chris BassittOAKSEA 
34Charlie MortonTBPHI 
35Rich HillMINCIN 
36Aaron NolaPHI@WASRestored ace status, second start could be for playoff berth
37Matt ShoemakerTORNYY, BAL 
38Chris PaddackSD@SFSharper lately, 2.41 ERA, .96 WHIP with 21 K last 18.2 IP
39Max FriedATLMIACould be a preview of first round of playoffs
40Walker BuehlerLADOAK 
41JT BrubakerPITCHC, @CLE 
42Dane DunningCWS@CLE, CHCPitching like he wants to be in playoff rotation
43Cristian JavierHOU@TEX 
44Kyle FreelandCOL@SF, @ARIShould benefit from pair away from Coors
45Randy DobnakMINDET 
46Jack FlahertySTL@MILLooked back on track, then… POOF
47Tyler GlasnowTB@NYM 
48Jordan MontgomeryNYYMIA 
49Alec MillsCHC@PITNo hitter nice, but 37 K in 52.2 IP says keep expectations in check
50Sonny GrayCINMIL, @MINTerrible before IL stint, hoping for one start before possible playoff series
51Kevin GausmanSFCOL 
52Carlos CarrascoCLEPIT 
53Brad KellerKCDETOnly 3 K last two starts, spanning 15.2 IP
54Dinelson LametSD@SF 
55Ian AndersonATLMIAMaking a play for playoff rotation
56Kyle GibsonTEX@LAA, HOU 
57Dustin MayLADOAK, LAA 
58Jose UrquidyHOU@TEX 
59Jordan LylesTEX@ARI, HOU 
60Lance McCullersHOU@SEA, @TEX 
61Masahiro TanakaNYY@TOR5 HR last 28.1 IP, though with limited damage
62Zach PlesacCLECWSShowing early success wasn't a fluke
63Kyle CodyTEXHOU 
64Reynaldo LopezCWS@CLE, CHC 
65Julio UriasLADOAK 
66Andrew HeaneyLAA@LADOnly 4 HR in 56 IP after 20 in 95.1 last season
67Casey MizeDET@MINLined up for Monday, Sept 28 if necessary
68Nick MargeviciusSEAHOU 
69Alex CobbBAL@BOS 
70Ryan YarbroughTBPHI 
71Luke WeaverARICOL 
72Zach EflinPHI@WAS 
73Nathan EovaldiBOSBAL 
74Ryan RolisonCOL@ARI 
75Caleb SmithARITEX, COL 
76Danny DuffyKCSTL 
77Carlos HernandezKCSTL, DET 
78Josh FlemingTB@NYM, PHI 
79Justin DunnSEA@OAK 
80Luis PatinoSDSF 
81Austin VothWASPHI, NYM 
82Tarik SkubalDET@MIN, @KC 
83John MeansBAL@TOR 
84Triston McKenzieCLECWS 
85Daniel Ponce de LeonSTLMIL 
86Deivi GarciaNYYMIA 
87Anibal SanchezWASPHI, NYM 
88Michael KingNYY@TOR 
89Dylan CeaseCWSCHC 
90Joe MusgrovePIT@CLE 
91Justus SheffieldSEAOAK 
92Robbie RayTORNYY 
93Sean ManaeaOAK@LADFinishing strong, just in time for the playoffs
94Kwang Hyun KimSTLMIL 
95Adrian HouserMIL@CIN 
96Madison BumgarnerARICOL 
97Taijuan WalkerTORBAL 
98Griffin CanningLAA@SD 
99Yusei KikuchiSEA@OAK 
100Sixto SanchezMIA@ATL 
101Daulton JefferiesOAKSEA 
102Nick PivettaBOSBAL, @ATLWarning, rabbit hole ahead
103Josh LindblomMILSTL 
104Tyler AndersonSFSD 
105Dean KremerBAL@BOS 
106Ljay NewsomeSEAHOU 
107Cole HamelsATLMIA, BOS 
108Chris MazzaBOS@ATL 
109Dallas KeuchelCWS@CLE 
110Keegan AkinBAL@BOS, @TOR 
111Drew SmylySFCOL, SD 
112Vince VelasquezPHI@TB 
113Daniel NorrisDET@KC 
114Spencer TurnbullDET@KC 
115Jon LesterCHC@PIT, @CWS 
116Mike FiersOAK@LAD 
117Martin PerezBOSBAL 
118Kyle WrightATLBOS 
119Matthew BoydDET@KC 
120Trevor RogersMIA@ATL, @NYY 
121Trevor WilliamsPITCHC 
122Seth LugoNYMTB, @WAS 
123Tony GonsolinLADLAA 
124Austin GomberSTL@KC, MIL 
125Carlos MartinezSTL@KCCould get a second start on Mon Sep 28
126J.A. HappNYY@TOR 
127Antonio SenzatelaCOL@ARI 
128Jose QuintanaCHC@PIT, @CWS 
129Johnny CuetoSFCOL, SD 
130Zach DaviesSDLAA, @SF 
131Steven BraultPITCHC 
132Pablo LopezMIA@ATL 
133Brett AndersonMIL@CIN, @STL 
134Kris BubicKCDET 
135Huascar YnoaATLMIA, BOS 
136Sandy AlcantaraMIA@NYY 
137Jorge LopezBAL@TOR 
138Sterling SharpWASPHI 
139Jose UrenaMIA@ATL, @NYY 
140Eric LauerMIL@STL 
141Tyler MahleCIN@MIN 
142Wes BenjaminTEX@ARI 
143Tanner RoarkTORNYY 
144Erick FeddeWASPHI 
145Tanner HouckBOS@ATL 
146Steven MatzNYMTB 
147Mitch KellerPIT@CLE 
148Alex YoungARICOL 
149Logan WebbSFCOL 
150Chase AndersonTORNYY 
151Adonis MedinaPHI@TB 
152Julio TeheranLAA@LAD 
153Ryan CastellaniCOL@SF 
154Chad KuhlPITCHC 
155Jeff SamardzijaSF@SD 
156Jaime BarriaLAA@SD 
157Chi Chi GonzalezCOL@SF 
158Rick PorcelloNYM@WAS 
159JoJo RomeroPHI@WAS 
160David PetersonNYM@WAS 

American League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Gerrit ColeNYY@TOR, MIAWith playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short
2Shane BieberCLECWS, PITSunday start could be skipped
3Dylan BundyLAATEX, @LADTwo more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day
4Framber ValdezHOU@SEA, @TEXIn a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP
5Aaron CivaleCLECWS, PITControl off lately, but overall solid campaign
6Zack GreinkeHOU@SEA 
7Blake SnellTB@NYM 
8Jesus LuzardoOAK@SEA 
9Kenta MaedaMINDET 
10Lucas GiolitoCWS@CLE 
11Lance LynnTEXHOU 
12Hyun-Jin RyuTORBAL 
13Jose BerriosMINCIN 
14Frankie MontasOAK@LAD, SEADisappointing season getting worse down the stretch
15Marco GonzalesSEAHOU, @OAK 
16Brady SingerKCSTL, DETQuietly having strong rookie campaign
17Michael PinedaMINCINPitching well since his return
18Chris BassittOAKSEA 
19Charlie MortonTBPHI 
20Rich HillMINCIN 
21Matt ShoemakerTORNYY, BAL 
22Dane DunningCWS@CLE, CHCPitching like he wants to be in playoff rotation
23Cristian JavierHOU@TEX 
24Randy DobnakMINDET 
25Tyler GlasnowTB@NYM 
26Jordan MontgomeryNYYMIA 
27Carlos CarrascoCLEPIT 
28Brad KellerKCDETOnly 3 K last two starts, spanning 15.2 IP
29Kyle GibsonTEX@LAA, HOU 
30Jose UrquidyHOU@TEX 
31Jordan LylesTEX@ARI, HOU 
32Lance McCullersHOU@SEA, @TEX 
33Masahiro TanakaNYY@TOR5 HR last 28.1 IP, though with limited damage
34Zach PlesacCLECWSShowing early success wasn't a fluke
35Kyle CodyTEXHOU 
36Reynaldo LopezCWS@CLE, CHC 
37Andrew HeaneyLAA@LADOnly 4 HR in 56 IP after 20 in 95.1 last season
38Casey MizeDET@MINLined up for Monday, Sept 28 if necessary
39Nick MargeviciusSEAHOU 
40Alex CobbBAL@BOS 
41Ryan YarbroughTBPHI 
42Nathan EovaldiBOSBAL 
43Danny DuffyKCSTL 
44Carlos HernandezKCSTL, DET 
45Josh FlemingTB@NYM, PHI 
46Justin DunnSEA@OAK 
47Tarik SkubalDET@MIN, @KC 
48John MeansBAL@TOR 
49Triston McKenzieCLECWS 
50Deivi GarciaNYYMIA 
51Michael KingNYY@TOR 
52Dylan CeaseCWSCHC 
53Justus SheffieldSEAOAK 
54Robbie RayTORNYY 
55Sean ManaeaOAK@LADFinishing strong, just in time for the playoffs
56Taijuan WalkerTORBAL 
57Griffin CanningLAA@SD 
58Yusei KikuchiSEA@OAK 
59Daulton JefferiesOAKSEA 
60Nick PivettaBOSBAL, @ATLWarning, rabbit hole ahead
61Dean KremerBAL@BOS 
62Ljay NewsomeSEAHOU 
63Chris MazzaBOS@ATL 
64Dallas KeuchelCWS@CLE 
65Keegan AkinBAL@BOS, @TOR 
66Daniel NorrisDET@KC 
67Spencer TurnbullDET@KC 
68Mike FiersOAK@LAD 
69Martin PerezBOSBAL 
70Matthew BoydDET@KC 
71J.A. HappNYY@TOR 
72Kris BubicKCDET 
73Jorge LopezBAL@TOR 
74Wes BenjaminTEX@ARI 
75Tanner RoarkTORNYY 
76Tanner HouckBOS@ATL 
77Chase AndersonTORNYY 
78Julio TeheranLAA@LAD 
79Jaime BarriaLAA@SD 

National League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Jacob deGromNYMTB, @WASNo playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy
2Luis CastilloCINMIL, @MIN 
3German MarquezCOL@SF, @ARIBeatable offense on the road
4Max ScherzerWASNYM 
5Brandon WoodruffMIL@CIN, @STLFacing two teams in a battle for last two NL playoff spots
6Zac GallenARITEX 
7Trevor BauerCINMIL 
8Adam WainwrightSTL@KC, MILThe remarkable renaissance continues.
9Mike ClevingerSDLAAFinally finding groove since the deal
10Yu DarvishCHC@CWS 
11Clayton KershawLADLAA 
12Zack WheelerPHI@WAS, @TBDidn't miss time with fingernail issue, but still could be a concern
13Patrick CorbinWASNYM 
14Corbin BurnesMIL@STL3-0, .38 ERA, .76 WHIP with 38 K over last 23.2 IP
15Kyle HendricksCHC@PIT 
16Aaron NolaPHI@WASRestored ace status, second start could be for playoff berth
17Chris PaddackSD@SFSharper lately, 2.41 ERA, .96 WHIP with 21 K last 18.2 IP
18Max FriedATLMIACould be a preview of first round of playoffs
19Walker BuehlerLADOAK 
20JT BrubakerPITCHC, @CLE 
21Kyle FreelandCOL@SF, @ARIShould benefit from pair away from Coors
22Jack FlahertySTL@MILLooked back on track, then… POOF
23Alec MillsCHC@PITNo hitter nice, but 37 K in 52.2 IP says keep expectations in check
24Sonny GrayCINMIL, @MINTerrible before IL stint, hoping for one start before possible playoff series
25Kevin GausmanSFCOL 
26Dinelson LametSD@SF 
27Ian AndersonATLMIAMaking a play for playoff rotation
28Dustin MayLADOAK, LAA 
29Julio UriasLADOAK 
30Luke WeaverARICOL 
31Zach EflinPHI@WAS 
32Ryan RolisonCOL@ARI 
33Caleb SmithARITEX, COL 
34Luis PatinoSDSF 
35Austin VothWASPHI, NYM 
36Daniel Ponce de LeonSTLMIL 
37Anibal SanchezWASPHI, NYM 
38Joe MusgrovePIT@CLE 
39Kwang Hyun KimSTLMIL 
40Adrian HouserMIL@CIN 
41Madison BumgarnerARICOL 
42Sixto SanchezMIA@ATL 
43Josh LindblomMILSTL 
44Tyler AndersonSFSD 
45Cole HamelsATLMIA, BOS 
46Drew SmylySFCOL, SD 
47Vince VelasquezPHI@TB 
48Jon LesterCHC@PIT, @CWS 
49Kyle WrightATLBOS 
50Trevor RogersMIA@ATL, @NYY 
51Trevor WilliamsPITCHC 
52Seth LugoNYMTB, @WAS 
53Tony GonsolinLADLAA 
54Austin GomberSTL@KC, MIL 
55Carlos MartinezSTL@KCCould get a second start on Mon Sep 28
56Antonio SenzatelaCOL@ARI 
57Jose QuintanaCHC@PIT, @CWS 
58Johnny CuetoSFCOL, SD 
59Zach DaviesSDLAA, @SF 
60Steven BraultPITCHC 
61Pablo LopezMIA@ATL 
62Brett AndersonMIL@CIN, @STL 
63Huascar YnoaATLMIA, BOS 
64Sandy AlcantaraMIA@NYY 
65Sterling SharpWASPHI 
66Jose UrenaMIA@ATL, @NYY 
67Eric LauerMIL@STL 
68Tyler MahleCIN@MIN 
69Erick FeddeWASPHI 
70Steven MatzNYMTB 
71Mitch KellerPIT@CLE 
72Alex YoungARICOL 
73Logan WebbSFCOL 
74Adonis MedinaPHI@TB 
75Ryan CastellaniCOL@SF 
76Chad KuhlPITCHC 
77Jeff SamardzijaSF@SD 
78Chi Chi GonzalezCOL@SF 
79Rick PorcelloNYM@WAS 
80JoJo RomeroPHI@WAS 
81David PetersonNYM@WAS 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd Zola
Todd has been writing about fantasy baseball since 1997. He won NL Tout Wars and Mixed LABR in 2016 as well as a multi-time league winner in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. Todd is now setting his sights even higher: The Rotowire Staff League. Lord Zola, as he's known in the industry, won the 2013 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Article of the Year award and was named the 2017 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year. Todd is a five-time FSWA awards finalist.
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