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
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | @TOR, MIA | With playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short |
2 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | TB, @WAS | No playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy |
3 | Shane Bieber | CLE | CWS, PIT | Sunday start could be skipped |
4 | Dylan Bundy | LAA | TEX, @LAD | Two more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day |
5 | Luis Castillo | CIN | MIL, @MIN | |
6 | German Marquez | COL | @SF, @ARI | Beatable offense on the road |
7 | Max Scherzer | WAS | NYM | |
8 | Framber Valdez | HOU | @SEA, @TEX | In a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP |
9 | Aaron Civale | CLE | CWS, PIT | Control off lately, but overall solid campaign |
10 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | @CIN, @STL | Facing 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
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | @TOR, MIA | With playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short |
2 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | TB, @WAS | No playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy |
3 | Shane Bieber | CLE | CWS, PIT | Sunday start could be skipped |
4 | Dylan Bundy | LAA | TEX, @LAD | Two more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day |
5 | Luis Castillo | CIN | MIL, @MIN | |
6 | German Marquez | COL | @SF, @ARI | Beatable offense on the road |
7 | Max Scherzer | WAS | NYM | |
8 | Framber Valdez | HOU | @SEA, @TEX | In a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP |
9 | Aaron Civale | CLE | CWS, PIT | Control off lately, but overall solid campaign |
10 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | @CIN, @STL | Facing two teams in a battle for last two NL playoff spots |
11 | Zack Greinke | HOU | @SEA | |
12 | Zac Gallen | ARI | TEX | |
13 | Blake Snell | TB | @NYM | |
14 | Trevor Bauer | CIN | MIL | |
15 | Adam Wainwright | STL | @KC, MIL | The remarkable renaissance continues. |
16 | Jesus Luzardo | OAK | @SEA | |
17 | Kenta Maeda | MIN | DET | |
18 | Mike Clevinger | SD | LAA | Finally finding groove since the deal |
19 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | @CLE | |
20 | Yu Darvish | CHC | @CWS | |
21 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | LAA | |
22 | Lance Lynn | TEX | HOU | |
23 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | TOR | BAL | |
24 | Jose Berrios | MIN | CIN | |
25 | Zack Wheeler | PHI | @WAS, @TB | Didn't miss time with fingernail issue, but still could be a concern |
26 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | NYM | |
27 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | @STL | 3-0, .38 ERA, .76 WHIP with 38 K over last 23.2 IP |
28 | Frankie Montas | OAK | @LAD, SEA | Disappointing season getting worse down the stretch |
29 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | HOU, @OAK | |
30 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | @PIT | |
31 | Brady Singer | KC | STL, DET | Quietly having strong rookie campaign |
32 | Michael Pineda | MIN | CIN | Pitching well since his return |
33 | Chris Bassitt | OAK | SEA | |
34 | Charlie Morton | TB | PHI | |
35 | Rich Hill | MIN | CIN | |
36 | Aaron Nola | PHI | @WAS | Restored ace status, second start could be for playoff berth |
37 | Matt Shoemaker | TOR | NYY, BAL | |
38 | Chris Paddack | SD | @SF | Sharper lately, 2.41 ERA, .96 WHIP with 21 K last 18.2 IP |
39 | Max Fried | ATL | MIA | Could be a preview of first round of playoffs |
40 | Walker Buehler | LAD | OAK | |
41 | JT Brubaker | PIT | CHC, @CLE | |
42 | Dane Dunning | CWS | @CLE, CHC | Pitching like he wants to be in playoff rotation |
43 | Cristian Javier | HOU | @TEX | |
44 | Kyle Freeland | COL | @SF, @ARI | Should benefit from pair away from Coors |
45 | Randy Dobnak | MIN | DET | |
46 | Jack Flaherty | STL | @MIL | Looked back on track, then… POOF |
47 | Tyler Glasnow | TB | @NYM | |
48 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | MIA | |
49 | Alec Mills | CHC | @PIT | No hitter nice, but 37 K in 52.2 IP says keep expectations in check |
50 | Sonny Gray | CIN | MIL, @MIN | Terrible before IL stint, hoping for one start before possible playoff series |
51 | Kevin Gausman | SF | COL | |
52 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | PIT | |
53 | Brad Keller | KC | DET | Only 3 K last two starts, spanning 15.2 IP |
54 | Dinelson Lamet | SD | @SF | |
55 | Ian Anderson | ATL | MIA | Making a play for playoff rotation |
56 | Kyle Gibson | TEX | @LAA, HOU | |
57 | Dustin May | LAD | OAK, LAA | |
58 | Jose Urquidy | HOU | @TEX | |
59 | Jordan Lyles | TEX | @ARI, HOU | |
60 | Lance McCullers | HOU | @SEA, @TEX | |
61 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | @TOR | 5 HR last 28.1 IP, though with limited damage |
62 | Zach Plesac | CLE | CWS | Showing early success wasn't a fluke |
63 | Kyle Cody | TEX | HOU | |
64 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | @CLE, CHC | |
65 | Julio Urias | LAD | OAK | |
66 | Andrew Heaney | LAA | @LAD | Only 4 HR in 56 IP after 20 in 95.1 last season |
67 | Casey Mize | DET | @MIN | Lined up for Monday, Sept 28 if necessary |
68 | Nick Margevicius | SEA | HOU | |
69 | Alex Cobb | BAL | @BOS | |
70 | Ryan Yarbrough | TB | PHI | |
71 | Luke Weaver | ARI | COL | |
72 | Zach Eflin | PHI | @WAS | |
73 | Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | BAL | |
74 | Ryan Rolison | COL | @ARI | |
75 | Caleb Smith | ARI | TEX, COL | |
76 | Danny Duffy | KC | STL | |
77 | Carlos Hernandez | KC | STL, DET | |
78 | Josh Fleming | TB | @NYM, PHI | |
79 | Justin Dunn | SEA | @OAK | |
80 | Luis Patino | SD | SF | |
81 | Austin Voth | WAS | PHI, NYM | |
82 | Tarik Skubal | DET | @MIN, @KC | |
83 | John Means | BAL | @TOR | |
84 | Triston McKenzie | CLE | CWS | |
85 | Daniel Ponce de Leon | STL | MIL | |
86 | Deivi Garcia | NYY | MIA | |
87 | Anibal Sanchez | WAS | PHI, NYM | |
88 | Michael King | NYY | @TOR | |
89 | Dylan Cease | CWS | CHC | |
90 | Joe Musgrove | PIT | @CLE | |
91 | Justus Sheffield | SEA | OAK | |
92 | Robbie Ray | TOR | NYY | |
93 | Sean Manaea | OAK | @LAD | Finishing strong, just in time for the playoffs |
94 | Kwang Hyun Kim | STL | MIL | |
95 | Adrian Houser | MIL | @CIN | |
96 | Madison Bumgarner | ARI | COL | |
97 | Taijuan Walker | TOR | BAL | |
98 | Griffin Canning | LAA | @SD | |
99 | Yusei Kikuchi | SEA | @OAK | |
100 | Sixto Sanchez | MIA | @ATL | |
101 | Daulton Jefferies | OAK | SEA | |
102 | Nick Pivetta | BOS | BAL, @ATL | Warning, rabbit hole ahead |
103 | Josh Lindblom | MIL | STL | |
104 | Tyler Anderson | SF | SD | |
105 | Dean Kremer | BAL | @BOS | |
106 | Ljay Newsome | SEA | HOU | |
107 | Cole Hamels | ATL | MIA, BOS | |
108 | Chris Mazza | BOS | @ATL | |
109 | Dallas Keuchel | CWS | @CLE | |
110 | Keegan Akin | BAL | @BOS, @TOR | |
111 | Drew Smyly | SF | COL, SD | |
112 | Vince Velasquez | PHI | @TB | |
113 | Daniel Norris | DET | @KC | |
114 | Spencer Turnbull | DET | @KC | |
115 | Jon Lester | CHC | @PIT, @CWS | |
116 | Mike Fiers | OAK | @LAD | |
117 | Martin Perez | BOS | BAL | |
118 | Kyle Wright | ATL | BOS | |
119 | Matthew Boyd | DET | @KC | |
120 | Trevor Rogers | MIA | @ATL, @NYY | |
121 | Trevor Williams | PIT | CHC | |
122 | Seth Lugo | NYM | TB, @WAS | |
123 | Tony Gonsolin | LAD | LAA | |
124 | Austin Gomber | STL | @KC, MIL | |
125 | Carlos Martinez | STL | @KC | Could get a second start on Mon Sep 28 |
126 | J.A. Happ | NYY | @TOR | |
127 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | @ARI | |
128 | Jose Quintana | CHC | @PIT, @CWS | |
129 | Johnny Cueto | SF | COL, SD | |
130 | Zach Davies | SD | LAA, @SF | |
131 | Steven Brault | PIT | CHC | |
132 | Pablo Lopez | MIA | @ATL | |
133 | Brett Anderson | MIL | @CIN, @STL | |
134 | Kris Bubic | KC | DET | |
135 | Huascar Ynoa | ATL | MIA, BOS | |
136 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | @NYY | |
137 | Jorge Lopez | BAL | @TOR | |
138 | Sterling Sharp | WAS | PHI | |
139 | Jose Urena | MIA | @ATL, @NYY | |
140 | Eric Lauer | MIL | @STL | |
141 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | @MIN | |
142 | Wes Benjamin | TEX | @ARI | |
143 | Tanner Roark | TOR | NYY | |
144 | Erick Fedde | WAS | PHI | |
145 | Tanner Houck | BOS | @ATL | |
146 | Steven Matz | NYM | TB | |
147 | Mitch Keller | PIT | @CLE | |
148 | Alex Young | ARI | COL | |
149 | Logan Webb | SF | COL | |
150 | Chase Anderson | TOR | NYY | |
151 | Adonis Medina | PHI | @TB | |
152 | Julio Teheran | LAA | @LAD | |
153 | Ryan Castellani | COL | @SF | |
154 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | CHC | |
155 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | @SD | |
156 | Jaime Barria | LAA | @SD | |
157 | Chi Chi Gonzalez | COL | @SF | |
158 | Rick Porcello | NYM | @WAS | |
159 | JoJo Romero | PHI | @WAS | |
160 | David Peterson | NYM | @WAS |
American League
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comment |
1 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | @TOR, MIA | With playoffs starting Tues, 9/29, start on Sat, 9/26 likely will be short |
2 | Shane Bieber | CLE | CWS, PIT | Sunday start could be skipped |
3 | Dylan Bundy | LAA | TEX, @LAD | Two more chances to pitch for 2021 pay day |
4 | Framber Valdez | HOU | @SEA, @TEX | In a rut, 6.04 ERA, 1.26 ERA over last 25.1 IP |
5 | Aaron Civale | CLE | CWS, PIT | Control off lately, but overall solid campaign |
6 | Zack Greinke | HOU | @SEA | |
7 | Blake Snell | TB | @NYM | |
8 | Jesus Luzardo | OAK | @SEA | |
9 | Kenta Maeda | MIN | DET | |
10 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | @CLE | |
11 | Lance Lynn | TEX | HOU | |
12 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | TOR | BAL | |
13 | Jose Berrios | MIN | CIN | |
14 | Frankie Montas | OAK | @LAD, SEA | Disappointing season getting worse down the stretch |
15 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | HOU, @OAK | |
16 | Brady Singer | KC | STL, DET | Quietly having strong rookie campaign |
17 | Michael Pineda | MIN | CIN | Pitching well since his return |
18 | Chris Bassitt | OAK | SEA | |
19 | Charlie Morton | TB | PHI | |
20 | Rich Hill | MIN | CIN | |
21 | Matt Shoemaker | TOR | NYY, BAL | |
22 | Dane Dunning | CWS | @CLE, CHC | Pitching like he wants to be in playoff rotation |
23 | Cristian Javier | HOU | @TEX | |
24 | Randy Dobnak | MIN | DET | |
25 | Tyler Glasnow | TB | @NYM | |
26 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | MIA | |
27 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | PIT | |
28 | Brad Keller | KC | DET | Only 3 K last two starts, spanning 15.2 IP |
29 | Kyle Gibson | TEX | @LAA, HOU | |
30 | Jose Urquidy | HOU | @TEX | |
31 | Jordan Lyles | TEX | @ARI, HOU | |
32 | Lance McCullers | HOU | @SEA, @TEX | |
33 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | @TOR | 5 HR last 28.1 IP, though with limited damage |
34 | Zach Plesac | CLE | CWS | Showing early success wasn't a fluke |
35 | Kyle Cody | TEX | HOU | |
36 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | @CLE, CHC | |
37 | Andrew Heaney | LAA | @LAD | Only 4 HR in 56 IP after 20 in 95.1 last season |
38 | Casey Mize | DET | @MIN | Lined up for Monday, Sept 28 if necessary |
39 | Nick Margevicius | SEA | HOU | |
40 | Alex Cobb | BAL | @BOS | |
41 | Ryan Yarbrough | TB | PHI | |
42 | Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | BAL | |
43 | Danny Duffy | KC | STL | |
44 | Carlos Hernandez | KC | STL, DET | |
45 | Josh Fleming | TB | @NYM, PHI | |
46 | Justin Dunn | SEA | @OAK | |
47 | Tarik Skubal | DET | @MIN, @KC | |
48 | John Means | BAL | @TOR | |
49 | Triston McKenzie | CLE | CWS | |
50 | Deivi Garcia | NYY | MIA | |
51 | Michael King | NYY | @TOR | |
52 | Dylan Cease | CWS | CHC | |
53 | Justus Sheffield | SEA | OAK | |
54 | Robbie Ray | TOR | NYY | |
55 | Sean Manaea | OAK | @LAD | Finishing strong, just in time for the playoffs |
56 | Taijuan Walker | TOR | BAL | |
57 | Griffin Canning | LAA | @SD | |
58 | Yusei Kikuchi | SEA | @OAK | |
59 | Daulton Jefferies | OAK | SEA | |
60 | Nick Pivetta | BOS | BAL, @ATL | Warning, rabbit hole ahead |
61 | Dean Kremer | BAL | @BOS | |
62 | Ljay Newsome | SEA | HOU | |
63 | Chris Mazza | BOS | @ATL | |
64 | Dallas Keuchel | CWS | @CLE | |
65 | Keegan Akin | BAL | @BOS, @TOR | |
66 | Daniel Norris | DET | @KC | |
67 | Spencer Turnbull | DET | @KC | |
68 | Mike Fiers | OAK | @LAD | |
69 | Martin Perez | BOS | BAL | |
70 | Matthew Boyd | DET | @KC | |
71 | J.A. Happ | NYY | @TOR | |
72 | Kris Bubic | KC | DET | |
73 | Jorge Lopez | BAL | @TOR | |
74 | Wes Benjamin | TEX | @ARI | |
75 | Tanner Roark | TOR | NYY | |
76 | Tanner Houck | BOS | @ATL | |
77 | Chase Anderson | TOR | NYY | |
78 | Julio Teheran | LAA | @LAD | |
79 | Jaime Barria | LAA | @SD |
National League
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comment |
1 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | TB, @WAS | No playoff concerns, pitching for 3rd straight Cy |
2 | Luis Castillo | CIN | MIL, @MIN | |
3 | German Marquez | COL | @SF, @ARI | Beatable offense on the road |
4 | Max Scherzer | WAS | NYM | |
5 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | @CIN, @STL | Facing two teams in a battle for last two NL playoff spots |
6 | Zac Gallen | ARI | TEX | |
7 | Trevor Bauer | CIN | MIL | |
8 | Adam Wainwright | STL | @KC, MIL | The remarkable renaissance continues. |
9 | Mike Clevinger | SD | LAA | Finally finding groove since the deal |
10 | Yu Darvish | CHC | @CWS | |
11 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | LAA | |
12 | Zack Wheeler | PHI | @WAS, @TB | Didn't miss time with fingernail issue, but still could be a concern |
13 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | NYM | |
14 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | @STL | 3-0, .38 ERA, .76 WHIP with 38 K over last 23.2 IP |
15 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | @PIT | |
16 | Aaron Nola | PHI | @WAS | Restored ace status, second start could be for playoff berth |
17 | Chris Paddack | SD | @SF | Sharper lately, 2.41 ERA, .96 WHIP with 21 K last 18.2 IP |
18 | Max Fried | ATL | MIA | Could be a preview of first round of playoffs |
19 | Walker Buehler | LAD | OAK | |
20 | JT Brubaker | PIT | CHC, @CLE | |
21 | Kyle Freeland | COL | @SF, @ARI | Should benefit from pair away from Coors |
22 | Jack Flaherty | STL | @MIL | Looked back on track, then… POOF |
23 | Alec Mills | CHC | @PIT | No hitter nice, but 37 K in 52.2 IP says keep expectations in check |
24 | Sonny Gray | CIN | MIL, @MIN | Terrible before IL stint, hoping for one start before possible playoff series |
25 | Kevin Gausman | SF | COL | |
26 | Dinelson Lamet | SD | @SF | |
27 | Ian Anderson | ATL | MIA | Making a play for playoff rotation |
28 | Dustin May | LAD | OAK, LAA | |
29 | Julio Urias | LAD | OAK | |
30 | Luke Weaver | ARI | COL | |
31 | Zach Eflin | PHI | @WAS | |
32 | Ryan Rolison | COL | @ARI | |
33 | Caleb Smith | ARI | TEX, COL | |
34 | Luis Patino | SD | SF | |
35 | Austin Voth | WAS | PHI, NYM | |
36 | Daniel Ponce de Leon | STL | MIL | |
37 | Anibal Sanchez | WAS | PHI, NYM | |
38 | Joe Musgrove | PIT | @CLE | |
39 | Kwang Hyun Kim | STL | MIL | |
40 | Adrian Houser | MIL | @CIN | |
41 | Madison Bumgarner | ARI | COL | |
42 | Sixto Sanchez | MIA | @ATL | |
43 | Josh Lindblom | MIL | STL | |
44 | Tyler Anderson | SF | SD | |
45 | Cole Hamels | ATL | MIA, BOS | |
46 | Drew Smyly | SF | COL, SD | |
47 | Vince Velasquez | PHI | @TB | |
48 | Jon Lester | CHC | @PIT, @CWS | |
49 | Kyle Wright | ATL | BOS | |
50 | Trevor Rogers | MIA | @ATL, @NYY | |
51 | Trevor Williams | PIT | CHC | |
52 | Seth Lugo | NYM | TB, @WAS | |
53 | Tony Gonsolin | LAD | LAA | |
54 | Austin Gomber | STL | @KC, MIL | |
55 | Carlos Martinez | STL | @KC | Could get a second start on Mon Sep 28 |
56 | Antonio Senzatela | COL | @ARI | |
57 | Jose Quintana | CHC | @PIT, @CWS | |
58 | Johnny Cueto | SF | COL, SD | |
59 | Zach Davies | SD | LAA, @SF | |
60 | Steven Brault | PIT | CHC | |
61 | Pablo Lopez | MIA | @ATL | |
62 | Brett Anderson | MIL | @CIN, @STL | |
63 | Huascar Ynoa | ATL | MIA, BOS | |
64 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | @NYY | |
65 | Sterling Sharp | WAS | PHI | |
66 | Jose Urena | MIA | @ATL, @NYY | |
67 | Eric Lauer | MIL | @STL | |
68 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | @MIN | |
69 | Erick Fedde | WAS | PHI | |
70 | Steven Matz | NYM | TB | |
71 | Mitch Keller | PIT | @CLE | |
72 | Alex Young | ARI | COL | |
73 | Logan Webb | SF | COL | |
74 | Adonis Medina | PHI | @TB | |
75 | Ryan Castellani | COL | @SF | |
76 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | CHC | |
77 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | @SD | |
78 | Chi Chi Gonzalez | COL | @SF | |
79 | Rick Porcello | NYM | @WAS | |
80 | JoJo Romero | PHI | @WAS | |
81 | David Peterson | NYM | @WAS |