This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.
After a short week to kick off the season, we're looking at the first full slate of games. In what will be a recurring theme throughout the 2019 campaign, there are only 26 two-start options, fewer than one per team. As such, it's even more important to identify those with single starts in a favorable spot. The problem is we really don't have a decent grasp on several lineups. Sure, we know the clubs at the extremes, but those in the middle need some time to differentiate.
For those new to the rankings, two-start weeks are more important than most perceive. This isn't the best week to demonstrate this, but soon enough there will be examples of lesser hurlers ranked higher than superior arms.
In future weeks, I'll include more comments. This is a crazy week since I'm in dual mode as many continue to draft the traditional first weekend of the season, so I'm still updating season-long projections along with focusing on the first few games of the year.
As always, be sure to check back Sunday night for the inevitable adjustments after rotations crystallize.
For the week of April 1-6
UPDATED: Monday April 1, 12:30 AM ET
MLB
Rank | PITCHER | TEAM | OPP | COMMENT |
1 | Max Scherzer | WAS | vs. PHI, at NYM | |
2 | Mike Clevinger | CLE | vs. CWS, vs. TOR | In a great spot to start off the season strong |
3 | Blake Snell | TB | vs. COL, at SF | Velo down first start, worth monitoring |
4 | Jose Berrios | MIN |
After a short week to kick off the season, we're looking at the first full slate of games. In what will be a recurring theme throughout the 2019 campaign, there are only 26 two-start options, fewer than one per team. As such, it's even more important to identify those with single starts in a favorable spot. The problem is we really don't have a decent grasp on several lineups. Sure, we know the clubs at the extremes, but those in the middle need some time to differentiate.
For those new to the rankings, two-start weeks are more important than most perceive. This isn't the best week to demonstrate this, but soon enough there will be examples of lesser hurlers ranked higher than superior arms.
In future weeks, I'll include more comments. This is a crazy week since I'm in dual mode as many continue to draft the traditional first weekend of the season, so I'm still updating season-long projections along with focusing on the first few games of the year.
As always, be sure to check back Sunday night for the inevitable adjustments after rotations crystallize.
For the week of April 1-6
UPDATED: Monday April 1, 12:30 AM ET
MLB
Rank | PITCHER | TEAM | OPP | COMMENT |
1 | Max Scherzer | WAS | vs. PHI, at NYM | |
2 | Mike Clevinger | CLE | vs. CWS, vs. TOR | In a great spot to start off the season strong |
3 | Blake Snell | TB | vs. COL, at SF | Velo down first start, worth monitoring |
4 | Jose Berrios | MIN | at KC, at PHI | |
5 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. CWS | |
6 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | at MIA | |
7 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | at ATL, at MIL | Don't love the matchups, but Hendricks rarely lit up |
8 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | at NYM | |
9 | Justin Verlander | HOU | at TEX | |
10 | Chris Sale | BOS | at OAK, at ARI | I'm not worried. Maybe I'm a little bit concerned, but that's not the same thing. |
11 | Chris Archer | PIT | vs. STL, vs. CIN | Getting benefit of the doubt… for now |
12 | Brad Peacock | HOU | at TEX, vs. OAK | Cross your fingers in Arlington |
13 | Jack Flaherty | STL | vs. SD | |
14 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | vs. DET | |
15 | Domingo German | NYY | vs. DET, at BAL | Worth a healthy FAAB bid if available |
16 | Ross Stripling | LAD | vs. SF | |
17 | Aaron Nola | PHI | at WAS | |
18 | Matt Strahm | SD | vs. ARI, at STL | Deserves chance in the rotation |
19 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | vs. TOR | |
20 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at NYM | |
21 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | LAD | vs. SF | |
22 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. TOR | |
23 | James Paxton | NYY | at BAL | |
24 | Zack Greinke | ARI | at SD | OK, here I'm a little more than concerned |
25 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | vs. WAS | |
26 | German Marquez | COL | at TB | |
27 | Yonny Chirinos | TB | at SF | Let's see if he starts or follows, either way, great set-up |
28 | Steven Matz | NYM | at MIA, vs. WAS | |
29 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | at TEX | |
30 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | vs. LAA | On a pace for 32 wins |
31 | Jonathan Loaisiga | NYY | vs. DET | |
32 | Collin McHugh | HOU | vs. OAK | |
33 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | vs. STL | |
34 | Charlie Morton | TB | vs. COL | |
35 | Yusei Kikuchi | SEA | at CWS | Doesn't have the typical arsenal of Japanese pitchers, but has the deception |
36 | Joey Lucchesi | SD | vs. ARI | |
37 | Kevin Gausman | ATL | vs. MIA | Expected to be back |
38 | Robbie Ray | ARI | at SD | |
39 | Michael Wacha | STL | vs. SD | |
40 | Caleb Smith | MIA | vs. NYM, at ATL | |
41 | Luis Castillo | CIN | at PIT | Promising debut |
42 | J.A. Happ | NYY | at BAL | |
43 | Brad Keller | KC | vs. MIN, at DET | |
44 | Tyler Glasnow | TB | at SF | |
45 | Jakob Junis | KC | at DET | Should take advanatge of several soft AL Central matchups all season |
46 | David Price | BOS | at OAK, at ARI | Red Sox starters hindered by lack of spring innings |
47 | Zack Wheeler | NYM | vs. WAS | |
48 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | at LAD | |
49 | Tanner Roark | CIN | vs. MIL, at PIT | |
50 | Matt Shoemaker | TOR | vs. BAL | Outstanding debut, can he stay healthy? |
51 | Nick Pivetta | PHI | vs. MIN | |
52 | Bryse Wilson | ATL | vs. MIA | |
53 | Tyler Skaggs | LAA | vs. TEX | |
54 | Trevor Cahill | LAA | at SEA | |
55 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | at SD, vs. BOS | Has unfamiliarity on his side |
56 | Miles Mikolas | STL | at PIT | |
57 | Zach Eflin | PHI | at WAS, vs. MIN | |
58 | Kyle Wright | ATL | vs. MIA | |
59 | Jake Arrieta | PHI | vs. MIN | |
60 | Wade LeBlanc | SEA | at CWS | |
61 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | vs. SEA | |
62 | Chris Paddack | SD | at STL | |
63 | Joe Musgrove | PIT | vs. CIN | |
64 | Jason Vargas | NYM | at MIA | |
65 | Pablo Lopez | MIA | at ATL | |
66 | Trevor Richards | MIA | vs. NYM | Check out his change if you haven't seen it |
67 | Mike Fiers | OAK | vs. BOS, at HOU | |
68 | Jose Urena | MIA | vs. NYM | |
69 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | vs. BAL, at CLE | |
70 | Michael Pineda | MIN | at PHI | |
71 | Freddy Peralta | MIL | at CIN | |
72 | Jhoulys Chacin | MIL | at CIN | |
73 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. CIN | |
74 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at TB | |
75 | Cole Hamels | CHC | at MIL | |
76 | Anthony DeSclafani | CIN | vs. MIL, at PIT | |
77 | Shane Bieber | CLE | vs. TOR | |
78 | Julio Teheran | ATL | vs. CHC | |
79 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | vs. CHC | |
80 | Yu Darvish | CHC | at ATL | |
81 | Dereck Rodriguez | SF | vs. TB | |
82 | Mike Leake | SEA | at CWS | |
83 | Jon Lester | CHC | at ATL | |
84 | Jose Quintana | CHC | at MIL | |
85 | Drew Pomeranz | SF | at LAD, vs. TB | |
86 | Chris Stratton | SF | at SEA, vs. TEX | |
87 | Rick Porcello | BOS | at ARI | |
88 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. SEA | |
89 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | vs. TB | |
90 | Felix Pena | LAA | vs. TEX | |
91 | Zach Davies | MIL | at CIN, vs. CHC | |
92 | Ivan Nova | CWS | at CLE, vs. SEA | |
93 | Matthew Boyd | DET | at NYY | Things went south in a hurry vs. Blue Jays |
94 | Wade Miley | HOU | vs. OAK | |
95 | Anibal Sanchez | WAS | vs. PHI | |
96 | Jake Odorizzi | MIN | at PHI | |
97 | Sonny Gray | CIN | at PIT | |
98 | Eric Lauer | SD | vs. ARI | |
99 | Sean Newcomb | ATL | vs. CHC | |
100 | Adam Wainwright | STL | at PIT, vs. SD | |
101 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | at KC | |
102 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at OAK | |
103 | Walker Buehler | LAD | at COL | |
104 | Drew Smyly | TEX | vs. HOU, at LAA | |
105 | Felix Hernandez | SEA | vs. LAA | |
106 | Matt Harvey | LAA | vs. TEX | |
107 | Mike Minor | TEX | vs. HOU | |
108 | Julio Urias | LAD | vs. SF, at COL | |
109 | Matt Moore | DET | vs. KC | |
110 | Zack Godley | ARI | vs. BOS | |
111 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | vs. CHC | |
112 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | vs. MIL | |
113 | Ryan Yarbrough | TB | vs. COL | |
114 | Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | at OAK | |
115 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. NYY | |
116 | Derek Holland | SF | at LAD | |
117 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | at COL | |
118 | Marco Estrada | OAK | vs. BOS | |
119 | Spencer Turnbull | DET | vs. KC | |
120 | Jon Gray | COL | vs. LAD | |
121 | Tyler Anderson | COL | vs. LAD | |
122 | Sean Reid-Foley | TOR | vs. BAL, at CLE | |
123 | Luke Weaver | ARI | vs. BOS | |
124 | Carlos Rodon | CWS | at CLE | |
125 | Lance Lynn | TEX | at LAA | |
126 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | at ATL | |
127 | Jorge Lopez | KC | at DET | |
128 | Max Fried | ATL | vs. CHC | |
129 | Tyson Ross | DET | at NYY, vs. KC | |
130 | Edinson Volquez | TEX | at LAA | |
131 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | at NYY | |
132 | Jordan Lyles | PIT | vs. CIN | |
133 | Aaron Brooks | OAK | vs. BOS, at HOU | |
134 | Chad Bettis | COL | at TB, vs. LAD | |
135 | Shelby Miller | TEX | vs. HOU, at LAA | |
136 | Alex Cobb | BAL | vs. NYY | |
137 | Aaron Sanchez | TOR | at CLE | |
138 | David Hess | BAL | at TOR, vs. NYY | |
139 | Nick Margevicius | SD | at STL | |
140 | Frankie Montas | OAK | at HOU | |
141 | Brett Anderson | OAK | vs. BOS | |
142 | Mike Wright Jr. | BAL | at TOR | |
143 | Homer Bailey | KC | vs. MIN | |
144 | Andrew Cashner | BAL | at TOR | |
145 | Trent Thornton | TOR | at CLE |
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Rank | PITCHER | TEAM | OPP | COMMENT |
1 | Mike Clevinger | CLE | vs. CWS, vs. TOR | In a great spot to start off the season strong |
2 | Blake Snell | TB | vs. COL, at SF | Velo down first start, worth monitoring |
3 | Jose Berrios | MIN | at KC, at PHI | |
4 | Corey Kluber | CLE | vs. CWS | |
5 | Justin Verlander | HOU | at TEX | |
6 | Chris Sale | BOS | at OAK, at ARI | I'm not worried. Maybe I'm a little bit concerned, but that's not the same thing. |
7 | Brad Peacock | HOU | at TEX, vs. OAK | Cross your fingers in Arlington |
8 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | vs. DET | |
9 | Domingo German | NYY | vs. DET, at BAL | Worth a healthy FAAB bid if available |
10 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | vs. TOR | |
11 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | vs. TOR | |
12 | James Paxton | NYY | at BAL | |
13 | Yonny Chirinos | TB | at SF | Let's see if he starts or follows, either way, great set-up |
14 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | at TEX | |
15 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | vs. LAA | On a pace for 32 wins |
16 | Jonathan Loaisiga | NYY | vs. DET | |
17 | Collin McHugh | HOU | vs. OAK | |
18 | Charlie Morton | TB | vs. COL | |
19 | Yusei Kikuchi | SEA | at CWS | Doesn't have the typical arsenal of Japanese pitchers, but has the deception |
20 | J.A. Happ | NYY | at BAL | |
21 | Brad Keller | KC | vs. MIN, at DET | |
22 | Tyler Glasnow | TB | at SF | |
23 | Jakob Junis | KC | at DET | Should take advanatge of several soft AL Central matchups all season |
24 | David Price | BOS | at OAK, at ARI | Red Sox starters hindered by lack of spring innings |
25 | Matt Shoemaker | TOR | vs. BAL | Outstanding debut, can he stay healthy? |
26 | Tyler Skaggs | LAA | vs. TEX | |
27 | Trevor Cahill | LAA | at SEA | |
28 | Wade LeBlanc | SEA | at CWS | |
29 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | vs. SEA | |
30 | Mike Fiers | OAK | vs. BOS, at HOU | |
31 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | vs. BAL, at CLE | |
32 | Michael Pineda | MIN | at PHI | |
33 | Shane Bieber | CLE | vs. TOR | |
34 | Mike Leake | SEA | at CWS | |
35 | Rick Porcello | BOS | at ARI | |
36 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. SEA | |
37 | Felix Pena | LAA | vs. TEX | |
38 | Ivan Nova | CWS | at CLE, vs. SEA | |
39 | Matthew Boyd | DET | at NYY | Things went south in a hurry vs. Blue Jays |
40 | Wade Miley | HOU | vs. OAK | |
41 | Jake Odorizzi | MIN | at PHI | |
42 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | at KC | |
43 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at OAK | |
44 | Drew Smyly | TEX | vs. HOU, at LAA | |
45 | Felix Hernandez | SEA | vs. LAA | |
46 | Matt Harvey | LAA | vs. TEX | |
47 | Mike Minor | TEX | vs. HOU | |
48 | Matt Moore | DET | vs. KC | |
49 | Ryan Yarbrough | TB | vs. COL | |
50 | Nathan Eovaldi | BOS | at OAK | |
51 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. NYY | |
52 | Marco Estrada | OAK | vs. BOS | |
53 | Spencer Turnbull | DET | vs. KC | |
54 | Sean Reid-Foley | TOR | vs. BAL, at CLE | |
55 | Carlos Rodon | CWS | at CLE | |
56 | Lance Lynn | TEX | at LAA | |
57 | Jorge Lopez | KC | at DET | |
58 | Tyson Ross | DET | at NYY, vs. KC | |
59 | Edinson Volquez | TEX | at LAA | |
60 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | at NYY | |
61 | Aaron Brooks | OAK | vs. BOS, at HOU | |
62 | Shelby Miller | TEX | vs. HOU, at LAA | |
63 | Alex Cobb | BAL | vs. NYY | |
64 | Aaron Sanchez | TOR | at CLE | |
65 | David Hess | BAL | at TOR, vs. NYY | |
66 | Frankie Montas | OAK | at HOU | |
67 | Brett Anderson | OAK | vs. BOS | |
68 | Mike Wright Jr. | BAL | at TOR | |
69 | Homer Bailey | KC | vs. MIN | |
70 | Andrew Cashner | BAL | at TOR | |
71 | Trent Thornton | TOR | at CLE |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rank | PITCHER | TEAM | OPP | COMMENT |
1 | Max Scherzer | WAS | vs. PHI, at NYM | |
2 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | at MIA | |
3 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | at ATL, at MIL | Don't love the matchups, but Hendricks rarely lit up |
4 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | at NYM | |
5 | Chris Archer | PIT | vs. STL, vs. CIN | Getting benefit of the doubt… for now |
6 | Jack Flaherty | STL | vs. SD | |
7 | Ross Stripling | LAD | vs. SF | |
8 | Aaron Nola | PHI | at WAS | |
9 | Matt Strahm | SD | vs. ARI, at STL | Deserves chance in the rotation |
10 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at NYM | |
11 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | LAD | vs. SF | |
12 | Zack Greinke | ARI | at SD | OK, here I'm a little more than concerned |
13 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | vs. WAS | |
14 | German Marquez | COL | at TB | |
15 | Steven Matz | NYM | at MIA, vs. WAS | |
16 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | vs. STL | |
17 | Joey Lucchesi | SD | vs. ARI | |
18 | Kevin Gausman | ATL | vs. MIA | Expected to be back |
19 | Robbie Ray | ARI | at SD | |
20 | Michael Wacha | STL | vs. SD | |
21 | Caleb Smith | MIA | vs. NYM, at ATL | |
22 | Luis Castillo | CIN | at PIT | Promising debut |
23 | Zack Wheeler | NYM | vs. WAS | |
24 | Madison Bumgarner | SF | at LAD | |
25 | Tanner Roark | CIN | vs. MIL, at PIT | |
26 | Nick Pivetta | PHI | vs. MIN | |
27 | Bryse Wilson | ATL | vs. MIA | |
28 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | at SD, vs. BOS | Has unfamiliarity on his side |
29 | Miles Mikolas | STL | at PIT | |
30 | Zach Eflin | PHI | at WAS, vs. MIN | |
31 | Kyle Wright | ATL | vs. MIA | |
32 | Jake Arrieta | PHI | vs. MIN | |
33 | Chris Paddack | SD | at STL | |
34 | Joe Musgrove | PIT | vs. CIN | |
35 | Jason Vargas | NYM | at MIA | |
36 | Pablo Lopez | MIA | at ATL | |
37 | Trevor Richards | MIA | vs. NYM | Check out his change if you haven't seen it |
38 | Jose Urena | MIA | vs. NYM | |
39 | Freddy Peralta | MIL | at CIN | |
40 | Jhoulys Chacin | MIL | at CIN | |
41 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. CIN | |
42 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at TB | |
43 | Cole Hamels | CHC | at MIL | |
44 | Anthony DeSclafani | CIN | vs. MIL, at PIT | |
45 | Julio Teheran | ATL | vs. CHC | |
46 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | vs. CHC | |
47 | Yu Darvish | CHC | at ATL | |
48 | Dereck Rodriguez | SF | vs. TB | |
49 | Jon Lester | CHC | at ATL | |
50 | Jose Quintana | CHC | at MIL | |
51 | Drew Pomeranz | SF | at LAD, vs. TB | |
52 | Chris Stratton | SF | at SEA, vs. TEX | |
53 | Jeff Samardzija | SF | vs. TB | |
54 | Zach Davies | MIL | at CIN, vs. CHC | |
55 | Anibal Sanchez | WAS | vs. PHI | |
56 | Sonny Gray | CIN | at PIT | |
57 | Eric Lauer | SD | vs. ARI | |
58 | Sean Newcomb | ATL | vs. CHC | |
59 | Adam Wainwright | STL | at PIT, vs. SD | |
60 | Walker Buehler | LAD | at COL | |
61 | Julio Urias | LAD | vs. SF, at COL | |
62 | Zack Godley | ARI | vs. BOS | |
63 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | vs. CHC | |
64 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | vs. MIL | |
65 | Derek Holland | SF | at LAD | |
66 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | at COL | |
67 | Jon Gray | COL | vs. LAD | |
68 | Tyler Anderson | COL | vs. LAD | |
69 | Luke Weaver | ARI | vs. BOS | |
70 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | at ATL | |
71 | Max Fried | ATL | vs. CHC | |
72 | Jordan Lyles | PIT | vs. CIN | |
73 | Chad Bettis | COL | at TB, vs. LAD | |
74 | Nick Margevicius | SD | at STL |