This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.
In a few weeks, rotations will be more staggered, but we're still early enough where the front and back end of staffs align. Last week, the aces dominated the two-start options. Now it's everyone else's turn.
Note the two-game series between the Indians and Twins will be played in Puerto Rico. Also, the Royals and Tigers play a doubleheader Friday.
Beware, with the inclement weather in the Midwest, there likely will be a few changes to rotations, so be sure to check Sunday's night update.
For the week, April 16-22
UPDATED: Sunday April 15, 10:30 PM ET
AMERICAN LEAGUE
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPP | COMMENT |
1 | Luis Severino | NYY | vs. MIA, vs. TOR | Last week's washouts gave Severino two this week |
2 | David Price | BOS | at LAA, at OAK | Appears OK after leaving last outing with nerve sensation, on the road but great parks |
3 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | at SEA, at CWS | Control uncharacteristically spotty |
4 | Lance McCullers Jr. | HOU | at SEA, at CWS | Look for rebound after Twins rocked McCullers last time out |
5 | Corey Kluber | CLE | at MIN | Klubot doing Klubot things |
6 | Chris Sale | BOS | at OAK | Red Sox making good on their effort to temper workload |
7 | James Paxton | SEA | vs. HOU, at TEX | Expect homers to come down, bringing ERA along with it |
8 | Justin Verlander | HOU | at CWS | Throwing like a 25-year old, not ten years older |
9 | Blake Snell | TB | vs. TEX, vs. MIN | Strikeouts promising, but needs to reduce walks |
10 | Gerrit Cole |
In a few weeks, rotations will be more staggered, but we're still early enough where the front and back end of staffs align. Last week, the aces dominated the two-start options. Now it's everyone else's turn.
Note the two-game series between the Indians and Twins will be played in Puerto Rico. Also, the Royals and Tigers play a doubleheader Friday.
Beware, with the inclement weather in the Midwest, there likely will be a few changes to rotations, so be sure to check Sunday's night update.
For the week, April 16-22
UPDATED: Sunday April 15, 10:30 PM ET
AMERICAN LEAGUE
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPP | COMMENT |
1 | Luis Severino | NYY | vs. MIA, vs. TOR | Last week's washouts gave Severino two this week |
2 | David Price | BOS | at LAA, at OAK | Appears OK after leaving last outing with nerve sensation, on the road but great parks |
3 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | at SEA, at CWS | Control uncharacteristically spotty |
4 | Lance McCullers Jr. | HOU | at SEA, at CWS | Look for rebound after Twins rocked McCullers last time out |
5 | Corey Kluber | CLE | at MIN | Klubot doing Klubot things |
6 | Chris Sale | BOS | at OAK | Red Sox making good on their effort to temper workload |
7 | James Paxton | SEA | vs. HOU, at TEX | Expect homers to come down, bringing ERA along with it |
8 | Justin Verlander | HOU | at CWS | Throwing like a 25-year old, not ten years older |
9 | Blake Snell | TB | vs. TEX, vs. MIN | Strikeouts promising, but needs to reduce walks |
10 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | at SEA | As expected, Astros having Cole use hook more with great results |
11 | Yonny Chirinos | TB | vs. TEX, vs. MIN | Looks like he's locked down a regular rotation spot and not part of bullpen day |
12 | Garrett Richards | LAA | vs. SF | Mixed bag so far, 19 K in 15 IP, with unsightly 12 BB and 3 HR |
13 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | at BAL | Don't worry, the strikeouts will pick up |
14 | Danny Duffy | KC | at TOR, at DET | Walks and homers high, catching Blue Jays at a good time |
15 | Aaron Sanchez | TOR | vs. KC, vs. NYM | No issues with blisters, but control needs work |
16 | Shohei Ohtani | LAA | vs. BOS | Never questioned talent, still concerned about workload as season wears on |
17 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at LAA | Early returns encouraging after knee surgery |
18 | Cole Hamels | TEX | at TB | 30 K in 22 IP great to see after last season, 7 HR allowed… not so much |
19 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | vs. MIA | Homers high, otherwise off to solid start |
20 | Jose Berrios | MIN | vs. CLE | Big test against primary division rival, back home in Puerto Rico |
21 | Sonny Gray | NYY | vs. TOR | |
22 | Drew Pomeranz | BOS | at OAK | Set to make 2018 debut |
23 | J.A. Happ | TOR | vs. KC, at NYY | |
24 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | vs. TOR | |
25 | Jake Odorizzi | MIN | vs. CLE, at TB | |
26 | CC Sabathia | NYY | vs. TOR | On target to return Tuesday from sore hip |
27 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | at BAL | |
28 | Charlie Morton | HOU | at SEA | |
29 | Rick Porcello | BOS | at LAA | |
30 | Daniel Mengden | OAK | vs. CWS, vs. BOS | |
31 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. CLE | Strong effort vs. Boston on Sunday aided ranking |
32 | Jaime Garcia | TOR | vs. KC, at NYY | |
33 | Chris Archer | TB | vs. MIN | |
34 | Andrew Triggs | OAK | vs. CWS | Swinging strike rate in line with career mark, but K/9 much higher, expect K's to fall |
35 | Lance Lynn | MIN | at TB | |
36 | Jake Faria | TB | vs. TEX | |
37 | Sean Manaea | OAK | vs. BOS | |
38 | Jaime Barria | LAA | vs. SF | Could be back after requisite 10-day stay in minors |
39 | Mike Clevinger | CLE | at BAL | |
40 | Michael Fulmer | DET | vs. KC | |
41 | Ian Kennedy | KC | at TOR | 7.4% swinging strike rate portends regression |
42 | Kevin Gausman | BAL | at DET | |
43 | Mike Minor | TEX | vs. SEA | Conversion back to starter going well, but jury still out |
44 | Tyler Skaggs | LAA | vs. BOS | |
45 | Jakob Junis | KC | at DET | Low strikeouts temper ranking |
46 | Matt Boyd | DET | vs. BAL | |
47 | Francisco Liriano | DET | vs. BAL, vs. KC | |
48 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | at OAK, vs. HOU | |
49 | Martin Perez | TEX | at TB, vs. SEA | |
50 | Matt Moore | TEX | at TB | |
51 | Alex Cobb | BAL | at DET | |
52 | Andrew Cashner | BAL | at DET, vs. CLE | |
53 | Andrew Heaney | LAA | vs. SF | |
54 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. HOU | |
55 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | at TB | |
56 | Trevor Cahill | OAK | vs. CWS | |
57 | Mike Leake | SEA | vs. HOU | |
58 | Marco Estrada | TOR | at NYY | |
59 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | at NYY | |
60 | Jason Hammel | KC | at DET | |
61 | Ariel Miranda | SEA | vs. HOU | |
62 | Josh Tomlin | CLE | at MIN | |
63 | Erasmo Ramirez | SEA | at TEX | |
64 | Miguel Gonzalez | CWS | at OAK | |
65 | Eric Skoglund | KC | at TOR, at DET | |
66 | Daniel Norris | DET | vs. KC | |
67 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | vs. BAL | |
68 | Kendall Graveman | OAK | vs. BOS | |
69 | Nick Tropeano | LAA | vs. BOS | |
70 | Mike Fiers | DET | vs. KC | |
71 | Felix Hernandez | SEA | at TEX | |
72 | Carson Fulmer | CWS | at OAK | |
73 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | vs. HOU | |
74 | James Shields | CWS | vs. HOU | |
75 | Doug Fister | TEX | vs. SEA | |
76 | Chris Tillman | BAL | vs. CLE |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rank | Pitcher | TEAM | OPP | Comments |
1 | Patrick Corbin | ARI | vs. SF, vs. SD | Checks all the boxes, pair at home, weak opponents and in a groove |
2 | Aaron Nola | PHI | at ATL, vs. PIT | Outpitching skills, buoyed by .188 BABIP and 85% LOB rate |
3 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | vs. WAS, at ATL | Very sharp early on, but draws a couple of tough matchups |
4 | Luis Castillo | CIN | at MIL, at STL | Let's see if warmer weather helps after disappointing opening to season |
5 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | vs. WAS | Allowed HR to LHB Joe Panik, Daniel Descalso and David Peralta. Baseball is funny. |
6 | Max Scherzer | WAS | at LAD | Mad max pitching like he wants another Cy |
7 | Zack Greinke | ARI | vs. SF | Anyone still worried about spring woes? |
8 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | LAD | at SD, vs. WAS | Continues to pitch well between DL stints |
9 | Zack Godley | ARI | vs. SD | Building on last year's break out |
10 | Alex Wood | LAD | at SD | |
11 | Mike Foltynewicz | ATL | vs. PHI, vs. NYM | Drop in walks a great sign |
12 | Robbie Ray | ARI | vs. SF | Control issues a concern, but don't panic yet |
13 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at LAD | |
14 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | at ATL | |
15 | Nick Pivetta | PHI | at ATL, vs. PIT | Strikeout potential driving ranking |
16 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | at SD | |
17 | Jake Arrieta | PHI | vs. PIT | |
18 | Gio Gonzalez | WAS | at NYM | |
19 | Johnny Cueto | SF | at ARI, at LAA | Getting job done (for now) despite anemic strikeout rate |
20 | Carlos Martinez | STL | vs. CIN | |
21 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | at PHI | Break out in progress |
22 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | vs. STL | |
23 | Rich Hill | LAD | vs. WAS | |
24 | Julio Teheran | ATL | vs. PHI, vs. NYM | |
25 | Chase Anderson | MIL | vs. MIA | 4 HR in 16 IP after only 14 in 141 IP last season |
26 | Jon Lester | CHC | vs. STL | Veteran deserves benefit of the doubt, but Coors affair risky |
27 | Tanner Roark | WAS | at NYM | |
28 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | at MIL | Homers bug issue early on |
29 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. COL, at PHI | |
30 | Brandon McCarthy | ATL | vs. PHI | Says he's OK after left shoulder subluxation |
31 | Miles Mikolas | STL | vs. CIN | 10 K with 2 BB in 12 IP, ERA should drop |
32 | Jeremy Hellickson | WAS | at NYM, at LAD | Expected to bump A.J. Cole out of the rotation |
33 | Ben Lively | PHI | vs. PIT | |
34 | German Marquez | COL | at PIT, vs. CHC | |
35 | Tyler Chatwood | CHC | vs. STL, at COL | |
36 | Chad Bettis | COL | at PIT | |
37 | Luke Weaver | STL | at CHC | |
38 | Caleb Smith | MIA | at NYY, at MIL | |
39 | Sean Newcomb | ATL | vs. NYM | |
40 | Ivan Nova | PIT | at PHI | |
41 | Steven Brault | PIT | vs. COL, at PHI | |
42 | Yu Darvish | CHC | at COL | |
43 | Zach Davies | MIL | vs. CIN | |
44 | Brent Suter | MIL | vs. CIN, vs. MIA | |
45 | Steven Matz | NYM | vs. WAS | |
46 | Trevor Richards | MIA | at MIL | |
47 | Junior Guerra | MIL | vs. CIN, vs. MIA | |
48 | Dillon Peters | MIA | at MIL | |
49 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | vs. COL | |
50 | Zack Wheeler | NYM | vs. WAS, at ATL | |
51 | Derek Holland | SF | at LAA | |
52 | Adam Wainwright | STL | at CHC, vs. CIN | |
53 | Chris Stratton | SF | at ARI | |
54 | Joey Lucchesi | SD | at ARI | |
55 | Clayton Richard | SD | at ARI | |
56 | Bryan Mitchell | SD | vs. LAD, at ARI | 14 K with 3 BB in 13.2 IP… oh wait, that's 3 K with 14 BB |
57 | Homer Bailey | CIN | at STL | |
58 | Michael Wacha | STL | at CHC | Early season disappointment |
59 | Jose Urena | MIA | at MIL | |
60 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at PIT | |
61 | Sal Romano | CIN | at MIL | |
62 | Vince Velasquez | PHI | at ATL | |
63 | Jhoulys Chacin | MIL | vs. MIA | |
64 | Tyson Ross | SD | vs. LAD | |
65 | Albert Suarez | ARI | at LAA | |
66 | Brandon Finnegan | CIN | at STL | |
67 | Jon Gray | COL | vs. CHC | |
68 | Jose Quintana | CHC | at COL | He's better than this, but hasn't displayed ability to get by in Coors |
69 | Matt Harvey | NYM | at ATL | |
70 | Tyler Anderson | COL | vs. CHC | |
71 | Jarlin Garcia | MIA | at NYY | |
72 | Ty Blach | SF | at ARI | |
73 | Robbie Erlin | SD | vs. LAD | |
74 | Matt Koch | ARI | vs. SD |
MLB
RANK | PITCHER | TEAM | OPP | COMMENT |
1 | Luis Severino | NYY | vs. MIA, vs. TOR | Last week's washouts gave Severino two this week |
2 | Patrick Corbin | ARI | vs. SF, vs. SD | Checks all the boxes, pair at home, weak opponents and in a groove |
3 | David Price | BOS | at LAA, at OAK | Appears OK after leaving last outing with nerve sensation, on the road but great parks |
4 | Aaron Nola | PHI | at ATL, vs. PIT | Outpitching skills, buoyed by .188 BABIP and 85% LOB rate |
5 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | vs. WAS, at ATL | Very sharp early on, but draws a couple of tough matchups |
6 | Luis Castillo | CIN | at MIL, at STL | Let's see if warmer weather helps after disappointing opening to season |
7 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | vs. WAS | Allowed HR to LHB Joe Panik, Daniel Descalso and David Peralta. Baseball is funny. |
8 | Dallas Keuchel | HOU | at SEA, at CWS | Control uncharacteristically spotty |
9 | Max Scherzer | WAS | at LAD | Mad max pitching like he wants another Cy |
10 | Lance McCullers Jr. | HOU | at SEA, at CWS | Look for rebound after Twins rocked McCullers last time out |
11 | Corey Kluber | CLE | at MIN | Klubot doing Klubot things |
12 | Chris Sale | BOS | at OAK | Red Sox making good on their effort to temper workload |
13 | James Paxton | SEA | vs. HOU, at TEX | Expect homers to come down, bringing ERA along with it |
14 | Justin Verlander | HOU | at CWS | Throwing like a 25-year old, not ten years older |
15 | Blake Snell | TB | vs. TEX, vs. MIN | Strikeouts promising, but needs to reduce walks |
16 | Gerrit Cole | HOU | at SEA | As expected, Astros having Cole use hook more with great results |
17 | Zack Greinke | ARI | vs. SF | Anyone still worried about spring woes? |
18 | Hyun-Jin Ryu | LAD | at SD, vs. WAS | Continues to pitch well between DL stints |
19 | Yonny Chirinos | TB | vs. TEX, vs. MIN | Looks like he's locked down a regular rotation spot and not part of bullpen day |
20 | Zack Godley | ARI | vs. SD | Building on last year's break out |
21 | Alex Wood | LAD | at SD | |
22 | Garrett Richards | LAA | vs. SF | Mixed bag so far, 19 K in 15 IP, with unsightly 12 BB and 3 HR |
23 | Mike Foltynewicz | ATL | vs. PHI, vs. NYM | Drop in walks a great sign |
24 | Robbie Ray | ARI | vs. SF | Control issues a concern, but don't panic yet |
25 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | at BAL | Don't worry, the strikeouts will pick up |
26 | Stephen Strasburg | WAS | at LAD | |
27 | Danny Duffy | KC | at TOR, at DET | Walks and homers high, catching Blue Jays at a good time |
28 | Noah Syndergaard | NYM | at ATL | |
29 | Aaron Sanchez | TOR | vs. KC, vs. NYM | No issues with blisters, but control needs work |
30 | Shohei Ohtani | LAA | vs. BOS | Never questioned talent, still concerned about workload as season wears on |
31 | Nick Pivetta | PHI | at ATL, vs. PIT | Strikeout potential driving ranking |
32 | Kenta Maeda | LAD | at SD | |
33 | Eduardo Rodriguez | BOS | at LAA | Early returns encouraging after knee surgery |
34 | Cole Hamels | TEX | at TB | 30 K in 22 IP great to see after last season, 7 HR allowed… not so much |
35 | Jake Arrieta | PHI | vs. PIT | |
36 | Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | vs. MIA | Homers high, otherwise off to solid start |
37 | Gio Gonzalez | WAS | at NYM | |
38 | Jose Berrios | MIN | vs. CLE | Big test against primary division rival, back home in Puerto Rico |
39 | Sonny Gray | NYY | vs. TOR | |
40 | Johnny Cueto | SF | at ARI, at LAA | Getting job done (for now) despite anemic strikeout rate |
41 | Carlos Martinez | STL | vs. CIN | |
42 | Drew Pomeranz | BOS | at OAK | Set to make 2018 debut |
43 | J.A. Happ | TOR | vs. KC, at NYY | |
44 | Jordan Montgomery | NYY | vs. TOR | |
45 | Jameson Taillon | PIT | at PHI | Break out in progress |
46 | Jake Odorizzi | MIN | vs. CLE, at TB | |
47 | Kyle Hendricks | CHC | vs. STL | |
48 | Rich Hill | LAD | vs. WAS | |
49 | CC Sabathia | NYY | vs. TOR | On target to return Tuesday from sore hip |
50 | Trevor Bauer | CLE | at BAL | |
51 | Julio Teheran | ATL | vs. PHI, vs. NYM | |
52 | Charlie Morton | HOU | at SEA | |
53 | Chase Anderson | MIL | vs. MIA | 4 HR in 16 IP after only 14 in 141 IP last season |
54 | Rick Porcello | BOS | at LAA | |
55 | Daniel Mengden | OAK | vs. CWS, vs. BOS | |
56 | Jon Lester | CHC | vs. STL | Veteran deserves benefit of the doubt, but Coors affair risky |
57 | Dylan Bundy | BAL | vs. CLE | Strong effort vs. Boston on Sunday aided ranking |
58 | Jaime Garcia | TOR | vs. KC, at NYY | |
59 | Chris Archer | TB | vs. MIN | |
60 | Andrew Triggs | OAK | vs. CWS | Swinging strike rate in line with career mark, but K/9 much higher, expect K's to fall |
61 | Lance Lynn | MIN | at TB | |
62 | Tanner Roark | WAS | at NYM | |
63 | Tyler Mahle | CIN | at MIL | Homers bug issue early on |
64 | Jake Faria | TB | vs. TEX | |
65 | Trevor Williams | PIT | vs. COL, at PHI | |
66 | Sean Manaea | OAK | vs. BOS | |
67 | Brandon McCarthy | ATL | vs. PHI | Says he's OK after left shoulder subluxation |
68 | Jaime Barria | LAA | vs. SF | Could be back after requisite 10-day stay in minors |
69 | Miles Mikolas | STL | vs. CIN | 10 K with 2 BB in 12 IP, ERA should drop |
70 | Mike Clevinger | CLE | at BAL | |
71 | Michael Fulmer | DET | vs. KC | |
72 | Jeremy Hellickson | WAS | at NYM, at LAD | Expected to bump A.J. Cole out of the rotation |
73 | Ben Lively | PHI | vs. PIT | |
74 | German Marquez | COL | at PIT, vs. CHC | |
75 | Tyler Chatwood | CHC | vs. STL, at COL | |
76 | Ian Kennedy | KC | at TOR | 7.4% swinging strike rate portends regression |
77 | Chad Bettis | COL | at PIT | |
78 | Luke Weaver | STL | at CHC | |
79 | Caleb Smith | MIA | at NYY, at MIL | |
80 | Sean Newcomb | ATL | vs. NYM | |
81 | Kevin Gausman | BAL | at DET | |
82 | Ivan Nova | PIT | at PHI | |
83 | Mike Minor | TEX | vs. SEA | Conversion back to starter going well, but jury still out |
84 | Tyler Skaggs | LAA | vs. BOS | |
85 | Steven Brault | PIT | vs. COL, at PHI | |
86 | Yu Darvish | CHC | at COL | |
87 | Jakob Junis | KC | at DET | Low strikeouts temper ranking |
88 | Zach Davies | MIL | vs. CIN | |
89 | Brent Suter | MIL | vs. CIN, vs. MIA | |
90 | Matt Boyd | DET | vs. BAL | |
91 | Francisco Liriano | DET | vs. BAL, vs. KC | |
92 | Steven Matz | NYM | vs. WAS | |
93 | Reynaldo Lopez | CWS | at OAK, vs. HOU | |
94 | Trevor Richards | MIA | at MIL | |
95 | Martin Perez | TEX | at TB, vs. SEA | |
96 | Matt Moore | TEX | at TB | |
97 | Alex Cobb | BAL | at DET | |
98 | Andrew Cashner | BAL | at DET, vs. CLE | |
99 | Junior Guerra | MIL | vs. CIN, vs. MIA | |
100 | Andrew Heaney | LAA | vs. SF | |
101 | Dillon Peters | MIA | at MIL | |
102 | Chad Kuhl | PIT | vs. COL | |
103 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | vs. HOU | |
104 | Kyle Gibson | MIN | at TB | |
105 | Trevor Cahill | OAK | vs. CWS | |
106 | Mike Leake | SEA | vs. HOU | |
107 | Marco Estrada | TOR | at NYY | |
108 | Zack Wheeler | NYM | vs. WAS, at ATL | |
109 | Marcus Stroman | TOR | at NYY | |
110 | Jason Hammel | KC | at DET | |
111 | Derek Holland | SF | at LAA | |
112 | Adam Wainwright | STL | at CHC, vs. CIN | |
113 | Ariel Miranda | SEA | vs. HOU | |
114 | Chris Stratton | SF | at ARI | |
115 | Joey Lucchesi | SD | at ARI | |
116 | Josh Tomlin | CLE | at MIN | |
117 | Erasmo Ramirez | SEA | at TEX | |
118 | Clayton Richard | SD | at ARI | |
119 | Bryan Mitchell | SD | vs. LAD, at ARI | 14 K with 3 BB in 13.2 IP… oh wait, that's 3 K with 14 BB |
120 | Homer Bailey | CIN | at STL | |
121 | Michael Wacha | STL | at CHC | Early season disappointment |
122 | Jose Urena | MIA | at MIL | |
123 | Kyle Freeland | COL | at PIT | |
124 | Sal Romano | CIN | at MIL | |
125 | Vince Velasquez | PHI | at ATL | |
126 | Jhoulys Chacin | MIL | vs. MIA | |
127 | Miguel Gonzalez | CWS | at OAK | |
128 | Eric Skoglund | KC | at TOR, at DET | |
129 | Daniel Norris | DET | vs. KC | |
130 | Tyson Ross | SD | vs. LAD | |
131 | Jordan Zimmermann | DET | vs. BAL | |
132 | Kendall Graveman | OAK | vs. BOS | |
133 | Albert Suarez | ARI | at LAA | |
134 | Brandon Finnegan | CIN | at STL | |
135 | Nick Tropeano | LAA | vs. BOS | |
136 | Jon Gray | COL | vs. CHC | |
137 | Mike Fiers | DET | vs. KC | |
138 | Felix Hernandez | SEA | at TEX | |
139 | Jose Quintana | CHC | at COL | He's better than this, but hasn't displayed ability to get by in Coors |
140 | Matt Harvey | NYM | at ATL | |
141 | Tyler Anderson | COL | vs. CHC | |
142 | Jarlin Garcia | MIA | at NYY | |
143 | Ty Blach | SF | at ARI | |
144 | Carson Fulmer | CWS | at OAK | |
145 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | vs. HOU | |
146 | Robbie Erlin | SD | vs. LAD | |
147 | James Shields | CWS | vs. HOU | |
148 | Doug Fister | TEX | vs. SEA | |
149 | Matt Koch | ARI | vs. SD | |
150 | Chris Tillman | BAL | vs. CLE |