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 looks incorrect, assume that it was a change that 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 May 4-10
AMERICAN LEAGUE
For the week May 4-10
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
| 1. Felix Hernandez - at LAA, OAK Note: How many pitchers would kill for a 6.7 IP/2 ER/4 K win to be considered a mild disappointment? DFSers hoped for another huge K night like 12 he had vs. TEX the first time |
| 2. Dallas Keuchel - TEX, at LAA Note: To say he'll drop from matching 0.73 ERA, WHIP is obvious, but he can still be 3.00 or so ERA from here; WHIP excellence offsets K downside |
| 3. Michael Pineda - at TOR, BAL Note: Not great 2-start slate with pair of top 10 wRC+ offenses vs. RHP, but he's showing even more elite skills than last year; the ERA will continue to melt |
| 4. Garrett Richards - SEA, HOU Note: Rounding into form, though walks remain prevalent and could be longer-term issue; not at absurd 14 percent we see now, but it could be 9-percent situation |
| 5. Collin McHugh - at LAA |
| 6. Chris Archer - TEX Note: Again, saying he'll drop from this level isn't hard, but there's a lot to believe from April, including gains in strikeout, walk, groundball rates; I'm buying |
| 7. David Price - KC Note: I'm |
As always, remember that rotations are subject to change, so if you see something that looks incorrect, assume that it was a change that 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 May 4-10
AMERICAN LEAGUE
SIT
NATIONAL LEAGUE
SIT
MLB TOP 100
For the week May 4-10
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
| 1. Felix Hernandez - at LAA, OAK Note: How many pitchers would kill for a 6.7 IP/2 ER/4 K win to be considered a mild disappointment? DFSers hoped for another huge K night like 12 he had vs. TEX the first time |
| 2. Dallas Keuchel - TEX, at LAA Note: To say he'll drop from matching 0.73 ERA, WHIP is obvious, but he can still be 3.00 or so ERA from here; WHIP excellence offsets K downside |
| 3. Michael Pineda - at TOR, BAL Note: Not great 2-start slate with pair of top 10 wRC+ offenses vs. RHP, but he's showing even more elite skills than last year; the ERA will continue to melt |
| 4. Garrett Richards - SEA, HOU Note: Rounding into form, though walks remain prevalent and could be longer-term issue; not at absurd 14 percent we see now, but it could be 9-percent situation |
| 5. Collin McHugh - at LAA |
| 6. Chris Archer - TEX Note: Again, saying he'll drop from this level isn't hard, but there's a lot to believe from April, including gains in strikeout, walk, groundball rates; I'm buying |
| 7. David Price - KC Note: I'm not sitting my stars against KC, but I'm certainly lowering expectations; already know Ks won't be there, but there is real threat of elevated ER totals, too |
| 8. Corey Kluber - at KC |
| 9. Chris Sale - DET Note: Draws tough matchup to rebound from 9-run debacle, but that likely won't stop him anyway; plus he's excellent vs. DET for his career |
| 10. Jeff Samardzija - DET, CIN |
| 11. Jake Odorizzi - at BOS, TEX |
| 12. Drew Smyly - at BOS, TEX Note: A strikeout machine since returning, including a 9.3 K/9 in his quick minor-league rehab; saw a K spike when joining TB last year, too |
| 13. Scott Kazmir - at MIN |
| 14. Sonny Gray - at SEA |
| 15. Trevor Bauer - MIN Note: This no Ks vs. KC thing is no joke: Bauer had a 35-percent K rate in his first three starts, then just 8 percent vs. Royals; he'll feast on MIN, owners of third-highest K rate vs. RHP (23 percent) |
| 16. Phil Hughes - OAK, at CLE |
| 17. Carlos Carrasco - at KC Note: KC Penalty is in effect for Carrasco and Sanchez, two who rely on strikeouts to drive value up an extra tier or two |
| 18. Anibal Sanchez - KC |
| 19. Danny Salazar - at KC, MIN |
| 20. Matt Shoemaker - SEA, HOU Note: Finding the top of the zone waaaay too often given stuff and being punished for it: .421 AVG (2nd highest in MLB) and 1.079 OPS (3rd highest in AL) in 24 PA on pitches in upper third |
| 21. Shane Greene - at CWS, KC |
| 22. R.A. Dickey - NYY, BOS Note: Doesn't get usual boost of most 2-starts only because he's especially unpredictable given knuckler; have to leave him in lineup all season to get mid-to-high 3.00s ERA |
| 23. Jose Quintana - DET Note: Back-to-back nice outings, but allowed 9 ER to these Tigers before that start ... or 1 fewer than he did all last year (25 IP) |
| 24. Yordano Ventura - at DET |
| 25. Danny Duffy - CLE Note: Kknew that 2014 ERA (2.53) was set to rise without drastic skills improvement; it has jumped nearly a run, but shown some skills growth, too |
| 26. Edinson Volquez - CLE Note: Skeptics of his 2014 were justified by 2.0 K:BB ratio, and he seemed destined to crash; 4.6 K:BB ratio this year and puts another strong ERA in play (3.04 last year) |
| 27. Drew Pomeranz - at MIN |
| 28. Rick Porcello - TB Note: He's notched 6, 6, 7, 6 Ks in his last four outings for career-high 21-percent K rate, but are they the cause for GB% dip (career-low 44 percent)? |
| 29. James Paxton - at LAA |
| 30. Nathan Eovaldi - BAL Note: Glimpses of growth in all four starts, but consistency that eluded him in '14 remains omnipresent |
| 31. Taijuan Walker - OAK Note: A's lit him up for 9 ER in season debut; this is his first start in four not against HOU or TEX |
| 32. Jesse Chavez - at MIN, at SEA |
| 33. Trevor May - OAK, at CLE Note: 5.36 ERA dating to last Sept. is unappealing, but 8.8 K/9 and 4.2 K:BB ratio are both intriguing; next step is getting deeper into games (6 IP just once) |
| 34. Alex Colome - at BOS Note: Sparkling season debut hints at strikeout upside for first time in short MLB career (44.7 IP since '13) |
| 35. Wei-Yin Chen - at NYY |
| 36. Alfredo Simon - at CWS Note: "KC-doesn't-K," he says, and then a total non-K guy (17 percent career) drops six on 'em, albeit in just 4.3 IP because they blitzed him for 6 ER |
| 37. J.A. Happ - OAK |
| 38. Miguel Gonzalez - at NYY |
| 39. Hector Santiago - HOU Note: Skills don't support new ERA, meaning it's one of his couple hot streaks each year; correction coming |
| 40. Yovani Gallardo - at TB Note: Quietly enjoyed strong skills surge (22 percent K, 3.3 K:BB) while continuing to add to GB rate (up slightly fifth straight season); still will wind up with mid-3.00s ERA |
| 41. Chris Tillman - at NYY |
| 42. Jesse Hahn - at MIN, at SEA Note: Batters just aren't swinging through the curve this year (12 percent SwStr down from 20 percent in '14) |
| 43. Chase Whitley - at TOR, BAL |
| 44. Drew Hutchison - BOS Note: Guardrail-to-guardrail performances are really tough to deal with; another outing vs. BOS is about the last thing he needs |
| 45. Mike Pelfrey - at CLE Note: No real skills growth to back big April outside of 58-percent GB rate; if he maintains this 1.7 K:BB ratio as his BABIP, LOB% regress, the ERA will jump >2 runs |
| 46. Ubaldo Jimenez - at NYM Note: Thoroughly skeptical, but can't ignore the 26-percent K rate and MLB-high 67-percent GB rate; we're standing on ledge ready to jump at moment's notice |
| 47. Nate Karns - TEX Note: Too early to say he can't start, but profile looks more and more "relievery" |
| 48. Marco Estrada - NYY Note: Had success in hitter-friendly parks, but can he keep ball in the yard with any regularity touring AL East? |
| 49. Ricky Nolasco - OAK |
| 50. Jason Vargas - at DET |
SIT
| 51. Jered Weaver - HOU Note: "Fast"ball averages 84.2 MPH this year; no measure of deception, gangle can help at that velocity |
| 52. Roenis Elias - at LAA |
| 53. Clay Buchholz - TB, at TOR Note: Skills jump off page (AL-high 11.9 K/9; 4.1 K:BB), but consistent blow-up outings suggest mental element could still be missing |
| 54. Joe Kelly - at TOR Note: Three outings of 7-plus Ks hint at upside of stuff after not eclipsing 6 Ks in 17 starts last year |
| 55. CC Sabathia - at TOR |
| 56. Kyle Lobstein - at CWS |
| 57. Justin Masterson - TB |
| 58. C.J. Wilson - SEA |
| 59. Not T.J. House - MIN Note: Replacement for recently DL'd House is TBD, but this slotting assumes Zach McAllister; with Shaun Marcum or Bruce Chen, no doubt sit |
| 60. Kyle Gibson - OAK Note: Ks -- or severe lack thereof -- really limit ceiling as they remain painfully low and don't appear set for substantial rise above his 13 percent career mark |
| 61. Nick Martinez - at TB Note: Let's see what can get lower, ERA or K:BB; ERA in front 0.35 to 1.38, but won't take long for K:BB ratio to gain a commanding "lead" |
| 62. Bud Norris - at NYM, at NYY |
| 63. Scott Feldman - TEX, at LAA |
| 64. Adam Warren - BAL Note: Looks like reliever who made transition back to starting: <6 IP in all four starts, inconistent results |
| 65. John Danks - CIN |
| 66. Mark Buehrle - NYY |
| 67. Aaron Sanchez - BOS |
| 68. Wade Miley - at TOR |
| 69. Roberto Hernandez - at LAA |
| 70. Jeremy Guthrie - CLE, at DET |
| 71. Hector Noesi - CIN |
| 72. Colby Lewis - at HOU |
| 73. Samuel Deduno - TEX |
| 74. Wandy Rodriguez - at HOU, at TB Note: Oh great, two starts, the better to destroy my team with … |
| 75. Ross Detwiler - at HOU, at TB |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
START
| 1. Clayton Kershaw - at MIL, at COL Note: Not as geeked about 2-start Dodgers with one in Coors, but allowed 5 ER there in 28 IP over four starts |
| 2. Zack Greinke - at MIL, at COL |
| 3. Andrew Cashner - at SF, at ARI Note: Ranking assumes strikeout rate is real as he's always had skill and repertoire for it; fanned <5 just twice in last 11 dating to last year (8.5 K/9 in 73 IP) |
| 4. Max Scherzer - MIA Note: Thumb that cost him Monday's start really seemed to hurt him in return: 7 IP/1 ER with 10 Ks, 1 BB |
| 5. Matt Harvey - at PHI Note: Snapped streak of four straight starts of 7-plus Ks, but remained dominant in showdown with Scherzer: 5 H, 1 BB in 7 IP despite just 3 Ks |
| 6. Johnny Cueto - at CWS |
| 7. Gerrit Cole - CIN Note: Mentioned transformation into acedom before our eyes, then he dropped 6 IP of 3-hit ball on Cubs with 8 Ks, 1 BB; even at peak I'd entertain buying |
| 8. Madison Bumgarner - SD, MIA Note: Back-to-back gems vs. Dodgers should assuage some early fears surrounding him |
| 9. Jake Arrieta - at STL |
| 10. Lance Lynn - CHC |
| 11. Tyson Ross - at SF, at ARI Note: Ks never been in doubt, while career-high 29 percent is great, it's paired with hideous 14-percent BB rate; as command smoothes out, results will follow |
| 12. Jordan Zimmermann - MIA, ATL |
| 13. James Shields - at ARI Note: HRs linger as potential issue with 1 in four of five starts, but everything else is so good that longball hasn't mattered |
| 14. Michael Wacha - at PIT |
| 15. Stephen Strasburg - MIA Note: Any other stud arm with .402 BABIP would get a freakin' break; inquire about buying low every day ERA is north of 4.00 |
| 16. A.J. Burnett - CIN |
| 17. Jason Hammel - at MIL Note: Skills impeccable with 23 Ks, 1 BB in 25.3 IP, though he still had >5.00 ERA through first three starts before 8-shutout on 4/27 vs. PIT |
| 18. Jon Lester - at STL |
| 19. Francisco Liriano - STL |
| 20. Cole Hamels - NYM Note: Two straight homer-free outings and allowed just 1 ER (2 R total) in 13 IP; funny how things go when you keep the ball in the yard, huh? Will constant trade talks affect him? |
| 21. Gio Gonzalez - ATL Note: Not generating easy contact regularly just yet with 15 percent soft-hit rate (league average is 20 percent) despite 13 PCT point jump in GB% to 58.0; I'm still buying |
| 22. Jacob deGrom - BAL |
| 23. John Lackey - CHC |
| 24. Brandon Morrow - at ARI Note: Only road start was in Coors (5 ER) so this outing could help shed light on whether he's a home-only or everywhere-but-Coors guy |
| 25. Bartolo Colon - BAL Note: A little stopped up for DFSers his last time out, but if you just set it and forget it, you'll get results |
| 26. Ian Kennedy - at SF |
| 27. Julio Teheran - at WAS Note: 2.0 HR/9 is gross and scary, but concern drops some when you realize all six have been confined to pair of starts; sitting tight, but concern is creeping in |
| 28. Carlos Martinez - CHC, at PIT |
| 29. Aaron Harang - at ATL, NYM Note: Using last start (6 IP/5 ER) to say "see I told you!" after ignoring first five (26.3 IP/4 ER) is "confirmation bias" or "the wrong way to play this game;" 3.57 ERA in 204.3 IP last year |
| 30. Alex Wood - PHI, at WASNot the same pitcher from '14; missing at-bats at less than half his '14 clip, extra contact is yielding big results for opposition; I'm nervous |
| 31. Anthony DeSclafani - at PIT Note: See if his owners think he missed his sell-high window and buy as a 3.50ish ERA pitcher rest of the way; pass at a cost higher than that |
| 32. Mike Leake - at PIT |
| 33. Mike Fiers - LAD Note: Shaky first four (5.79 ERA), but component numbers said he wasn't far off (24 percent K, 8 percent BB) and then explosion Saturday - 6 IP/1 ER with 12 Ks vs. CHC |
| 34. Shelby Miller - PHI |
| 35. Jimmy Nelson - CHC Note: Weird situation where first four starts were against two opp.; shiny new curve in game 1 faded a bit -- 24 thrown in first two starts, 29 total in last two |
| 36. Jon Niese - at PHI |
| 37. Wily Peralta - LAD Note: Fanning just three in first two starts (12 IP) did a number on rate (13 percent), but it's up at 18 percent in his last three starts (matching his '14 total) |
| 38. Kyle Lohse - LAD, CHC Note: Don't be surprised if he pitches to a 3.60 ERA or better the rest of way despite the wretched April |
| 39. Travis Wood - at STL, at MIL Note: Loved the '13 ratios (3.11 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), but they came with meager 18-percent K rate; now offering better ratios, 28-percent K rate; some giveback is coming, but he's worth keeping around |
| 40. Chase Anderson - SD Note: Skills are improved virtually across the board, yet nearly a quarter-run jump in ERA? That will come down, espec. If he keeps the ball in the yard |
| 41. Dillon Gee - at PHI |
| 42. Dan Haren - at SF |
| 43. Doug Fister - ATL Note: Now three years removed from strikeout peak with Detroit; since 2012 - 20, 18, 15 and then just 10 percent so far this year; no sign of sharp rise coming |
| 44. Vance Worley - STL Note: Allowed 6 ER in season debut, then 6 ER in three starts since; could get Worley and something for Fister even though not sure Worley isn't better now |
| 45. Chris Heston - SD Note: Follow-up to Coors disaster showed there was reason to like first three starts; he remains someone to hang onto |
| 46. Jarred Cosart - at SF |
| 47. Michael Lorenzen - at PIT, at CWS Note: HRs have never been major issue, so his 3 in 5 IP was likely at least partially nerves-related |
| 48. Matt Garza - LAD, CHC Note: HRs have been an issue for Garza, so 1.5 HR/9 through April is concerning, especially with declining K rate, elevating BB rate |
| 49. Jeff Locke - CIN, STL |
| 50. Kyle Hendricks - at STL, at MIL Note: Bit of an enigma through 101 career IP with results not matching skills in either season; jump in K rate fits MiLB track record, but SwStr% says it's due to drop |
| 51. Mat Latos - at WAS, at SF Note: Stay tuned for news on the hamstring strain, but he's on track to make next start |
| 52. David Phelps - at WAS, at SF |
SIT
| 53. Carlos Frias - at MIL Note: First start this year (5.3 IP/0 ER) went muuuch better than last year's (0.7 IP/8 ER in Coors); intrigued by him as McCarthy replacement, definitely in NL-onlys; mixed would be need based |
| 54. Mike Foltynewicz - PHI Note: Electric stuff, chance for big Ks, but there's almost no chance ready to be steady, all-formats starter |
| 55. Tim Hudson - MIA |
| 56. Jorge De La Rosa - LAD Note: Hey man, he cut his ERA by 21 runs his last time out (to 11.57) |
| 57. Tom Koehler - at WAS |
| 58. Tyler Matzek - LAD |
| 59. Tim Cooney - CHC Note: Stash in NL-only if I could, but if you must start pickups then just wait and see with him |
| 60. Jeremy Hellickson - SD |
| 61. David Buchanan - at ATL |
| 62. Tim Lincecum - MIA Note: Decent April ERA (3.27) isn't fooling anyone as the Ks are down yet again and he has just 1.6 K:BB ratio |
| 63. Eric Stults - at WAS |
| 64. Jerome Williams - at ATL |
| 65. Brett Anderson - at COL Note: Sort of survived in Coors last year (3.54 ERA, but a hideos 0.80 K:BB ratio) soooo good luck with all of that |
| 66. Ryan Vogelsong - SD, MIA Note: Lay off 9.31 ERA, he's got an 8.65 FIP, he'll be fiiiine! |
| 67. Rubby De La Rosa - at COL |
| 68. Scott Baker - at MIL |
| 69. Jason Marquis - at CWS |
| 70. Severino Gonzalez - NYM |
| 71. Josh Collmenter - at COL, SD |
| 72. Robbie Ray - at COL, SD |
| 73. Eddie Butler - ARI Note: Are you already scouting DFS prices for Arizona Diamondbacks? You should be quite accustomed with them by week's end |
| 74. Jordan Lyles - ARI |
| 75. Kyle Kendrick - ARI, LAD |
MLB TOP 100
| 1. Felix Hernandez - at LAA, OAK |
| 2. Clayton Kershaw - at MIL, at COL |
| 3. Zack Greinke - at MIL, at COL |
| 4. Dallas Keuchel - TEX, at LAA |
| 5. Michael Pineda - at TOR, BAL |
| 6. Garrett Richards - SEA, HOU |
| 7. Andrew Cashner - at SF, at ARI |
| 8. Max Scherzer - MIA |
| 9. Matt Harvey - at PHI |
| 10. Johnny Cueto - at CWS |
| 11. Gerrit Cole - CIN |
| 12. Madison Bumgarner - SD, MIA |
| 13. Collin McHugh - at LAA |
| 14. Chris Archer - TEX |
| 15. David Price - KC |
| 16. Corey Kluber - at KC |
| 17. Chris Sale - DET |
| 18. Jake Arrieta - at STL |
| 19. Lance Lynn - CHC |
| 20. Tyson Ross - at SF, at ARI |
| 21. Jeff Samardzija - DET, CIN |
| 22. Jake Odorizzi - at BOS, TEX |
| 23. Drew Smyly - at BOS, TEX |
| 24. Jordan Zimmermann - MIA, ATL |
| 25. James Shields - at ARI |
| 26. Michael Wacha - at PIT |
| 27. Stephen Strasburg - MIA |
| 28. A.J. Burnett - CIN |
| 29. Jason Hammel - at MIL |
| 30. Jon Lester - at STL |
| 31. Scott Kazmir - at MIN |
| 32. Sonny Gray - at SEA |
| 33. Trevor Bauer - MIN |
| 34. Francisco Liriano - STL |
| 35. Cole Hamels - NYM |
| 36. Gio Gonzalez - ATL |
| 37. Jacob deGrom - BAL |
| 38. John Lackey - CHC |
| 39. Brandon Morrow - at ARI |
| 40. Bartolo Colon - BAL |
| 41. Phil Hughes - OAK, at CLE |
| 42. Carlos Carrasco - at KC |
| 43. Anibal Sanchez - KC |
| 44. Danny Salazar - at KC, MIN |
| 45. Ian Kennedy - at SF |
| 46. Julio Teheran - at WAS |
| 47. Carlos Martinez - CHC, at PIT |
| 48. Aaron Harang - at ATL, NYM |
| 49. Alex Wood - PHI, at WAS |
| 50. Matt Shoemaker - SEA, HOU |
| 51. Shane Greene - at CWS, KC |
| 52. R.A. Dickey - NYY, BOS |
| 53. Jose Quintana - DET |
| 54. Yordano Ventura - at DET |
| 55. Danny Duffy - CLE |
| 56. Edinson Volquez - CLE |
| 57. Anthony DeSclafani - at PIT |
| 58. Mike Leake - at PIT |
| 59. Mike Fiers - LAD |
| 60. Shelby Miller - PHI |
| 61. Jimmy Nelson - CHC |
| 62. Jon Niese - at PHI |
| 63. Drew Pomeranz - at MIN |
| 64. Rick Porcello - TB |
| 65. James Paxton - at LAA |
| 66. Nathan Eovaldi - BAL |
| 67. Taijuan Walker - OAK |
| 68. Jesse Chavez - at MIN, at SEA |
| 69. Trevor May - OAK, at CLE |
| 70. Wily Peralta - LAD |
| 71. Kyle Lohse - LAD, CHC |
| 72. Travis Wood - at STL, at MIL |
| 73. Chase Anderson - SD |
| 74. Dillon Gee - at PHI |
| 75. Dan Haren - at SF |
| 76. Alex Colome - at BOS |
| 77. Wei-Yin Chen - at NYY |
| 78. Alfredo Simon - at CWS |
| 79. J.A. Happ - OAK |
| 80. Miguel Gonzalez - at NYY |
| 81. Hector Santiago - HOU |
| 82. Yovani Gallardo - at TB |
| 83. Chris Tillman - at NYY |
| 84. Jesse Hahn - at MIN, at SEA |
| 85. Chase Whitley - at TOR, BAL |
| 86. Doug Fister - ATL |
| 87. Vance Worley - STL |
| 88. Chris Heston - SD |
| 89. Jarred Cosart - at SF |
| 90. Michael Lorenzen - at PIT, at CWS |
| 91. Matt Garza - LAD, CHC |
| 92. Jeff Locke - CIN, STL |
| 93. Kyle Hendricks - at STL, at MIL |
| 94. Mat Latos - at WAS, at SF |
| 95. David Phelps - at WAS, at SF |
| 96. Carlos Frias - at MIL |
| 97. Mike Foltynewicz - PHI |
| 98. Drew Hutchison - BOS |
| 99. Mike Pelfrey - at CLE |
| 100. Ubaldo Jimenez - at NYM |
