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 April 20-26
AMERICAN LEAGUE
For the week April 20-26
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
1. David Price - NYY Note: He is dialed in |
2. Corey Kluber - at CWS Note: Cy Young winner is proving '14 was no fluke; snakebitten at 0-1 in 3 starts |
3. Felix Hernandez - MIN |
4. Chris Sale - KC |
5. Chris Archer - BOS, TOR Note: This could be his big breakout effort if he can avoid implosion starts (5-plus ER); had five last year, accounting for 42 percent of ER |
6. Carlos Carrasco - at CWS, at DET Note: Thankfully all right after scary comebacker |
7. Michael Pineda - NYM |
8. Anibal Sanchez - NYY Note: Actually brilliant in PIT outside of the three HR; rare that all three of your mistakes will go for bombs |
9. Collin McHugh - at SEA Note: Knew he was holding out on us with Ks in season debut (4) after dropping 11 on OAK; 34 in 31 IP vs. SEA last year |
10. Jeff Samardzija - CLE |
11. Scott Kazmir - at LAA, HOU Note: Wasn't really a bad second half last year so much as bad finish: 7.13 ERA in 35.3 IP in final 7 starts |
12. Matt Shoemaker - |
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 April 20-26
AMERICAN LEAGUE
SIT
NATIONAL LEAGUE
SIT
MLB TOP 100
For the week April 20-26
AMERICAN LEAGUE
START
1. David Price - NYY Note: He is dialed in |
2. Corey Kluber - at CWS Note: Cy Young winner is proving '14 was no fluke; snakebitten at 0-1 in 3 starts |
3. Felix Hernandez - MIN |
4. Chris Sale - KC |
5. Chris Archer - BOS, TOR Note: This could be his big breakout effort if he can avoid implosion starts (5-plus ER); had five last year, accounting for 42 percent of ER |
6. Carlos Carrasco - at CWS, at DET Note: Thankfully all right after scary comebacker |
7. Michael Pineda - NYM |
8. Anibal Sanchez - NYY Note: Actually brilliant in PIT outside of the three HR; rare that all three of your mistakes will go for bombs |
9. Collin McHugh - at SEA Note: Knew he was holding out on us with Ks in season debut (4) after dropping 11 on OAK; 34 in 31 IP vs. SEA last year |
10. Jeff Samardzija - CLE |
11. Scott Kazmir - at LAA, HOU Note: Wasn't really a bad second half last year so much as bad finish: 7.13 ERA in 35.3 IP in final 7 starts |
12. Matt Shoemaker - OAK, TEX |
13. Shane Greene - CLE Note: Still big strikeout rate upside here (12 percent SwStr rate; 10th in AL) |
14. Dallas Keuchel - at OAK |
15. Garrett Richards - TEX Note: Debuting Sunday against Houston |
16. Yordano Ventura - at CWS |
17. Phil Hughes - at SEA Note: Started '14 with three 5-IP/3-ER outings; good venue to ge HR rate in check |
18. Drew Pomeranz - at LAA, HOU |
19. Sonny Gray - at LAA |
20. Trevor Bauer - at CWS Note: A team will punish him for walks sooner than later, but Ks are too good pass up |
21. Hisashi Iwakuma - HOU Note: If no improvement with this start, then real panic sets in |
22. James Paxton - MIN |
23. Jake Odorizzi - TOR Note: Impressed with two ways he's won his games; on the rise (43rd in AL last wk) |
24. R.A. Dickey - at TB |
25. Nathan Eovaldi - at DET, NYM Note: We're seeing flashes, but still struggling to have results match the stuff |
26. Wade Miley - at TB, at BAL |
27. Jason Vargas - MIN, at CWS Note: Expect him to exact some revenge on MIN after 10-hit barrage last week |
28. Miguel Gonzalez - at BOS, BOS |
29. Hector Santiago - OAK, TEX Note: Always has a good run or two in him; maybe this is his first of '15 |
30. Edinson Volquez - MIN, at CWS |
31. Kendall Graveman - at LAA, HOU Note: Bounced back a bit at HOU, but 4 BB was odd for his profile |
32. Alfredo Simon - NYY, CLE |
33. Rick Porcello - at BAL |
34. Jesse Hahn - at LAA Note: We haven't seen Ks, but a lot still going right for him |
35. Masahiro Tanaka - at DET Note: Jeez, he's opening with TOR, BOS and DET |
36. Drew Hutchison - BAL Note: Hasn't suffered same lefty issue of '14 with .510 OPS and 8:1 K:BB; 1.750 OPS vs. RHB |
37. Jered Weaver - OAK |
38. Wei-Yin Chen - BOS |
39. J.A. Happ - HOU |
40. Jose Quintana - KC Note: KC buzzsaw already ripped through Q once and has always done well against him (4.66 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) |
41. Joe Kelly - at TB Note: Has the stuff to be legit |
42. Danny Duffy - at CWS |
43. Yovani Gallardo - at ARI |
44. Taijuan Walker - HOU Note: Really has to show something here |
45. Kyle Lobstein - NYY, CLE Note: Could steal 2 Ws even with a 12 IP, 6 ER |
SIT
46. CC Sabathia - at DET, NYM Note: K:BB ratio continues to entice, but maybe he's in the zone too often |
47. Clay Buchholz - at TB Note: Shown good and bad of what he offers; feeling lucky? |
48. Chris Tillman - at TOR Note: Biggest issue (HR) shines through in Rogers Centre -- 13 in 48 IP (2.4 HR/9) |
49. Ubaldo Jimenez - at TOR |
50. Danny Salazar - at DET Note: Here to stay, but I'm still not starting in this matchup |
51. Daniel Norris - at TB Note: Young lefty still figuring it out makes him a fantasy time-bomb; he'll have some gems soon, but who knows when |
52. Mark Buehrle - BAL, at TB |
53. Adam Warren - at DET |
54. C.J. Wilson - OAK |
55. Bud Norris - at TOR, BOS Note: Not this bad, but not as good as '14, either |
56. Justin Masterson - BAL, at BAL Note: BAL owns Masterson (5.33 career ERA; 10.20 ERA last 2 years) |
57. Aaron Sanchez - BAL |
58. Nate Karns - BOS |
59. Trevor May - at SEA |
60. Matt Andriese - TOR |
61. T.J. House - at DET |
62. Kyle Gibson - at KC, at SEA Note: Let's see a little something before getting back on board |
63. Tommy Milone - at KC |
64. John Danks - CLE, KC |
65. Hector Noesi - CLE, KC |
66. Scott Feldman - at OAK |
67. Nick Martinez - at ARI Note: Take this as me not believing in his 0.00 ERA thru 14 IP |
68. Ross Detwiler - at LAA |
69. Jeremy Guthrie - MIN |
70. Roberto Hernandez - at SEA |
71. Mike Pelfrey - at KC |
72. Colby Lewis - at LAA |
73. Asher Wojciechowski - at SEA, at OAK |
74. Texas Fifth Starter - at LAA |
NATIONAL LEAGUE
START
1. Max Scherzer - at ATL Note: Best thing going in NL right now |
2. Clayton Kershaw - at SF Note: Kershaw didn't allow 2 HR in a start until Aug. 16 last year (that was the only time) |
3. Matt Harvey - at NYY Note: Only thing holding him back is he's been stuck on 6 IP so far |
4. Jake Arrieta - at PIT, at CIN Note: Would be even higher if both weren't on the road |
5. Johnny Cueto - at MIL |
6. Zack Greinke - at SF |
7. Lance Lynn - at WAS, at MIL Note: WAS lineup is coming together and making team dangerous |
8. Gio Gonzalez - STL, at MIA |
9. Gerrit Cole - at ARI Note: Stood up nicely to DET with 8 Ks, 3 hits allowed in 6 IP |
10. Alex Wood - at PHI |
11. Michael Wacha - at WAS Note: We haven't seen Ks yet, but everything else looks great |
12. Julio Teheran - at NYM Note: It's a year where you don't lose your mind when your stud gets blasted in TOR |
13. Stephen Strasburg - at MIA Note: Remember when MIA jumped these two studs in April last year? I think they avoid that this time |
14. Jordan Zimmermann - at MIA |
15. Jacob deGrom - at NYY |
16. A.J. Burnett - CHC, at ARI Note: Looking a lot like the 2012-13 version of himself |
17. Cole Hamels - MIA Note: What's with the homers, Cole? |
18. Madison Bumgarner - LAD Note: Missing spots with the slider regularly (.826 OPS; .699 last year) |
19. Francisco Liriano - CHC, at ARI |
20. Anthony DeSclafani - at MIL, CHC |
21. Brett Anderson - at SF, at SD Note: Hard to get better 2-start road slate, even with SD's improved O |
22. Adam Wainwright - at MIL |
23. Bartolo Colon - ATL Note: This guys is ridic |
24. Shelby Miller - at PHI |
25. John Lackey - at WAS |
26. Andrew Cashner - LAD Note: Just pitch around Adrian Gonzalez this time! |
27. Homer Bailey - at MIL |
28. Jason Hammel - at PIT |
29. Jon Lester - at CIN Note: Imagine the jumps Billy Hamilton will get; should bunt his way on, too |
30. Mike Fiers - CIN, STL Note: See if 5.91 ERA is scaring off leaguemate and buy now |
31. Jon Niese - ATL, at NYY |
32. Brandon Morrow - at COL, LAD Note: These three Padres have skills to succeed in Coors, but lowered because of risk |
33. James Shields - at COL |
34. Tyson Ross - at COL |
35. Brandon McCarthy - at SD Note: Maybe can keep ball in yard in this park (6 HR in 12 IP) |
36. Archie Bradley - TEX Note: Rookie has stood tall against Kershaw and Bumgarner to start career |
37. Ian Kennedy - LAD |
38. Doug Fister - STL Note: OK, we accept fewer Ks, but not a 9 percent rate |
39. Wily Peralta - CIN, STL |
40. Dillon Gee - ATL Note: 5 ER vs. ATL in his opener surprised; allowed 3 ER in 13 IP vs. ATL last year |
41. Jimmy Nelson - CIN |
42. Carlos Martinez - at MIL |
43. Aaron Harang - ATL |
44. Dan Haren - at PHI, WAS Note: Bland, but pretty useful on a regular basis |
45. Travis Wood - at PIT, at CIN Note: 4.2-IP/3-ER opener then 7-IP/0-ER follow-up; expect more in the middle: 6 IP/2-3 ER |
46. Chase Anderson - TEX Note: Still getting Ks, but a little too hittable |
47. Vance Worley - CHC Note: Solid bounce back after rough debut |
48. Mat Latos - WAS Note: Rain delay slowed him in start two, but much better than that opening disaster |
49. Kyle Lohse - CIN |
50. Jorge De La Rosa - SD, SF Note: 3.08 ERA in Coors the last two seasons |
51. Tom Koehler - WAS |
52. Jarred Cosart - at PHI Note: Doesn't look like he'll ever be even an average strikeout guy |
53. Mike Leake - CHC |
54. Josh Collmenter - PIT Note: If you have him, have to start him; trying to spot him usually ends in disaster |
55. Matt Garza - STL |
SIT
56. Odrisamer Despaigne - at COL Note: Could get a 2-start effort if Kennedy doesn't return as planned |
57. Jeff Locke - CHC |
58. Jake Peavy - LAD |
59. Trevor Cahill - at NYM, at PHI |
60. Chris Heston - at COL |
61. Tim Hudson - at COL |
62. Josh Collmenter - PIT |
63. Rubby De La Rosa - PIT |
64. Jeremy Hellickson - PIT |
65. David Buchanan - ATL |
66. Kyle Hendricks - at PIT |
67. Tim Lincecum - LAD, at COL |
68. David Phelps - at PHI |
69. TBD Dodgers Fifth Starter - at SD |
70. Jerome Williams - MIA, ATL |
71. Sean O'Sullivan - MIA |
72. Eric Stults - at NYM |
73. Tyler Matzek - SD, SF |
74. Eddie Butler - SF |
75. Jordan Lyles - SD |
76. Kyle Kendrick - SD |
77. Jason Marquis - at MIL, CHC |
MLB TOP 100
1. Max Scherzer - at ATL |
2. Clayton Kershaw - at SF |
3. David Price - NYY |
4. Corey Kluber - at CWS |
5. Matt Harvey - at NYY |
6. Jake Arrieta - at PIT, at CIN |
7. Felix Hernandez - MIN |
8. Chris Sale - KC |
9. Chris Archer - BOS, TOR |
10. Carlos Carrasco - at CWS, at DET |
11. Johnny Cueto - at MIL |
12. Zack Greinke - at SF |
13. Lance Lynn - at WAS, at MIL |
14. Gio Gonzalez - STL, at MIA |
15. Gerrit Cole - at ARI |
16. Alex Wood - at PHI |
17. Michael Wacha - at WAS |
18. Michael Pineda - NYM |
19. Anibal Sanchez - NYY |
20. Collin McHugh - at SEA |
21. Julio Teheran - at NYM |
22. Stephen Strasburg - at MIA |
23. Jordan Zimmermann - at MIA |
24. Jacob deGrom - at NYY |
25. A.J. Burnett - CHC, at ARI |
26. Cole Hamels - MIA |
27. Madison Bumgarner - LAD |
28. Jeff Samardzija - CLE |
29. Scott Kazmir - at LAA, HOU |
30. Matt Shoemaker - OAK, TEX |
31. Francisco Liriano - CHC, at ARI |
32. Anthony DeSclafani - at MIL, CHC |
33. Brett Anderson - at SF, at SD |
34. Adam Wainwright - at MIL |
35. Shane Greene - CLE |
36. Dallas Keuchel - at OAK |
37. Garrett Richards - TEX |
38. Yordano Ventura - at CWS |
39. Phil Hughes - at SEA |
40. Drew Pomeranz - at LAA, HOU |
41. Sonny Gray - at LAA |
42. Bartolo Colon - ATL |
43. Trevor Bauer - at CWS |
44. Shelby Miller - at PHI |
45. John Lackey - at WAS |
46. Andrew Cashner - LAD |
47. Hisashi Iwakuma - HOU |
48. James Paxton - MIN |
49. Jake Odorizzi - TOR |
50. R.A. Dickey - at TB |
51. Homer Bailey - at MIL |
52. Jason Hammel - at PIT |
53. Jon Lester - at CIN |
54. Mike Fiers - CIN, STL |
55. Jon Niese - ATL, at NYY |
56. Nathan Eovaldi - at DET, NYM |
57. Wade Miley - at TB, at BAL |
58. Jason Vargas - MIN, at CWS |
59. Miguel Gonzalez - at BOS, BOS |
60. Brandon Morrow - at COL, LAD |
61. James Shields - at COL |
62. Tyson Ross - at COL |
63. Brandon McCarthy - at SD |
64. Archie Bradley - TEX |
65. Ian Kennedy - LAD |
66. Doug Fister - STL |
67. Wily Peralta - CIN, STL |
68. Dillon Gee - ATL |
69. Jimmy Nelson - CIN |
70. Carlos Martinez - at MIL |
71. Aaron Harang - ATL |
72. Dan Haren - at PHI, WAS |
73. Hector Santiago - OAK, TEX |
74. Edinson Volquez - MIN, at CWS |
75. Kendall Graveman - at LAA, HOU |
76. Alfredo Simon - NYY, CLE |
77. Rick Porcello - at BAL |
78. Jesse Hahn - at LAA |
79. Masahiro Tanaka - at DET |
80. Drew Hutchison - BAL |
81. Jered Weaver - OAK |
82. Wei-Yin Chen - BOS |
83. J.A. Happ - HOU |
84. Chase Anderson - TEX |
85. Vance Worley - CHC |
86. Jose Quintana - KC |
87. Kyle Lohse - CIN |
88. Mat Latos - WAS |
89. Travis Wood - at PIT, at CIN |
90. Jorge De La Rosa - SD, SF |
91. Joe Kelly - at TB |
92. Danny Duffy - at CWS |
93. Yovani Gallardo - at ARI |
94. Taijuan Walker - HOU |
95. Kyle Lobstein - NYY, CLE |
96. Tom Koehler - WAS |
97. Jarred Cosart - at PHI |
98. Mike Leake - CHC |
99. Josh Collmenter - PIT |
100. Matt Garza - STL |