Weekly Pitcher Rankings: And Stay for Fireworks After the Game

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: And Stay for Fireworks After the Game

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.

Remember when many pegged July 4 weekend as opening day weekend? It seems like half a season ago. Instead, the first week of July brings us a whopping 101 games, including two doubleheaders. Looking ahead, there will be at least two twin bills each week this month. Hitting continues to improve, as it always does in the summer, but the rate is slower than many expected. Look for it to catch up this month now that the schedule is busier and teams can carry only 13 arms.

I'm always willing to address specific rankings questions, but please direct rotation queries to the Probable Pitchers page.

UPDATED: Monday July 4 1:50 AM ET

Week of July 4-10

Mixed

RankPitcherTMOPPCommentsMIX12MIX15
1Sandy AlcantaraMIALAA, @NYM   
2Max ScherzerNYM@CIN, MIANice pair for return  
3Alek ManoahTOR@OAK, @SEAExpecting more strikeouts as season progresses  
4Julio UriasLADCOL, CHCQuietest ace in the game  
5Carlos RodonSF@ARI, @SD   
6Justin VerlanderHOUKC   
7Corbin BurnesMILCHC   
8Aaron NolaPHIWAS   
9Shohei OhtaniLAA@MIA   
10Robbie RaySEATOR   
11Shane McClanahanTB@CIN   
12Brandon WoodruffMILPITReturned with highest velo and spin on the season  
13Clayton KershawLADCHC

Remember when many pegged July 4 weekend as opening day weekend? It seems like half a season ago. Instead, the first week of July brings us a whopping 101 games, including two doubleheaders. Looking ahead, there will be at least two twin bills each week this month. Hitting continues to improve, as it always does in the summer, but the rate is slower than many expected. Look for it to catch up this month now that the schedule is busier and teams can carry only 13 arms.

I'm always willing to address specific rankings questions, but please direct rotation queries to the Probable Pitchers page.

UPDATED: Monday July 4 1:50 AM ET

Week of July 4-10

Mixed

RankPitcherTMOPPCommentsMIX12MIX15
1Sandy AlcantaraMIALAA, @NYM   
2Max ScherzerNYM@CIN, MIANice pair for return  
3Alek ManoahTOR@OAK, @SEAExpecting more strikeouts as season progresses  
4Julio UriasLADCOL, CHCQuietest ace in the game  
5Carlos RodonSF@ARI, @SD   
6Justin VerlanderHOUKC   
7Corbin BurnesMILCHC   
8Aaron NolaPHIWAS   
9Shohei OhtaniLAA@MIA   
10Robbie RaySEATOR   
11Shane McClanahanTB@CIN   
12Brandon WoodruffMILPITReturned with highest velo and spin on the season  
13Clayton KershawLADCHC   
14Dylan CeaseCWSDET24 K last 13 IP  
15Framber ValdezHOU@OAK   
16Joe MusgroveSDSF   
17Tony GonsolinLADCOL   
18Gerrit ColeNYY@BOS   
19Kyle WrightATLSTL, WAS   
20Kevin GausmanTOR@SEATentative, left last start after being hit with a comebacker  
21Max FriedATLSTL   
22Pablo LopezMIA@NYM   
23Zack WheelerPHI@STL   
24Michael KopechCWSMIN, DETNeeds better pitch efficiency  
25Sean ManaeaSDSEA   
26Yu DarvishSDSF   
27Luis SeverinoNYY@PIT   
28Luis GarciaHOUKC   
29Shane BieberCLE@DET   
30Frankie MontasOAKHOU   
31Tyler AndersonLADCHC   
32Jameson TaillonNYY@PIT, @BOS   
33Charlie MortonATLWAS   
34Logan WebbSF@SD   
35Cristian JavierHOUKC   
36Joe RyanMIN@CWS   
37Sonny GrayMIN@TEX   
38Eric LauerMILCHC, PITGood due for a rebound  
39Taijuan WalkerNYM@CIN, MIA   
40Zach PlesacCLE@DET, @KC   
41Zac GallenARICOL   
42Lucas GiolitoCWSDETGaining confidence in his changeup  
43Nick PivettaBOSTB, NYY   
44Triston McKenzieCLE@KC   
45Mike ClevingerSDSEA   
46Carlos CarrascoNYMMIA   
47Adam WainwrightSTLPHI   
48David PetersonNYMMIA25 K last 18.1 IP, and Marlins terrible vs. LHP49% 
49Yusei KikuchiTOR@OAK, @SEAStopped skid last time, can he keep the roll going?36% 
50Jose BerriosTOR@OAK   
51Jake OdorizziHOUKC, @OAK 7% 
52Logan GilbertSEA@SD   
53Nestor CortesNYY@BOS   
54Jose UrquidyHOU@OAK   
55Luis CastilloCINTB   
56Tyler MahleCINPIT   
57Miles MikolasSTL@ATL   
58Lance LynnCWSMIN   
59Shane BazTB@CIN   
60Johnny CuetoCWSMIN, DET   
61Blake SnellSDSF   
62Mitch WhiteLADCOL, CHC 33% 
63Tyler WellsBALLAA   
64Jordan MontgomeryNYY@BOS   
65Marco GonzalesSEATOR   
66Spencer StriderATLSTL   
67Ross StriplingTOR@SEA   
68Jon GrayTEXMIN   
69Merrill KellyARISF   
70Dylan BundyMIN@CWS, @TEX 13% 
71Cal QuantrillCLE@DET   
72Noah SyndergaardLAA@MIA   
73Martin PerezTEXMIN   
74Tarik SkubalDET@CWS   
75Nick LodoloCINNYM, TB   
76Brady SingerKCCLE   
77Beau BrieskeDET@CWS 2%30%
78Aaron AshbyMILPIT   
79Trevor RogersMIALAA   
80Chris ArcherMIN@CWS 10% 
81Zack GreinkeKC@HOU, CLE 20% 
82George KirbySEATOR   
83Chris BassittNYM@CIN   
84Mix 12 Reliever     
85Paul BlackburnOAKHOU   
86Cole IrvinOAKTOR, HOU 19% 
87Dane DunningTEX@BAL, MIN   
88MacKenzie GoreSDSF   
89Madison BumgarnerARISF, COL 50% 
90Kyle FreelandCOL@LAD, @ARI 2%13%
91Kyle HendricksCHC@MIL, @LAD 44% 
92Michael WachaBOSNYY   
93Dean KremerBALTEX, LAACorrection coming, but low walks and limiting HR will soften the blow10% 
94Mix 15 Reliever     
95German MarquezCOL@LAD, @ARI 35% 
96Daniel CastanoMIA@NYM 0%23%
97Alex WoodSF@ARI, @SD   
98Alex CobbSF@ARI   
99Brad KellerKC@HOU 24%49%
100Drew RasmussenTB@CIN   
101Patrick SandovalLAA@BAL   
102Garrett HillDETCLE, @CWS 0%0%
103Keegan ThompsonCHC@LAD   
104Kyle GibsonPHI@STL   
105Roansy ContrerasPIT@MIL   
106Devin SmeltzerMIN@TEX 22% 
107Jose QuintanaPITNYY, @MIL 30% 
108Chris FlexenSEA@SD, TOR 26% 
109Paolo EspinoWAS@PHI, @ATL 00
110Chad KuhlCOL@ARI 19%40%
111Hunter GreeneCINNYM, TB   
112Tommy HenryARISF, COL 0%0%
113Austin DavisBOSTB 00
114Justin SteeleCHC@MIL, @LAD 10% 
115Mark Leiter Jr.CHC@LAD 0%0%
116Jeffrey SpringsTB@BOS   
117Ian AndersonATLSTL, WAS   
118Dakota HudsonSTL@ATL, PHI 45% 
119Andre PallanteSTL@ATL, PHI 0.09 
120Graham AshcraftCINNYM   
121Josiah GrayWAS@PHI   
122Tyler AlexanderDETCLE 0%0
123Corey KluberTB@BOS   
124Michael PinedaDETCLE 5%40%
125Mike MinorCINPIT 0.010.09
126Austin GomberCOL@ARI 3%4%
127Zach ThompsonPIT@MIL 1%2%
128Bailey FalterPHIWAS 0%0%
129Adrian MartinezOAKTOR 0%0%
130Michael LorenzenLAA@BAL   
131Brayan BelloBOSTB 0%0%
132Aaron CivaleCLE@KC 18% 
133Jonathan HeasleyKC@HOU, CLE 4%45%
134Patrick CorbinWASMIA, @ATL 5%21%
135Jason AlexanderMILCHC 1% 
136Chase SilsethLAA@BAL 1%2%
137Braxton GarrettMIA@WAS, @NYM 5%0.32
138Konnor PilkingtonCLE@DET 2%0%
139JT BrubakerPIT@CIN 20% 
140James KaprielianOAKTOR 2%34%
141Jose SuarezLAA@BAL 0%2%
142Erick FeddeWAS@ATL 10% 
143Alex FaedoDET@CWS, CLE 10% 
144Adrian SampsonCHC@MIL 1%0.13
145Jordan LylesBALLAA 1%6%
146Josh WinckowskiBOSNYY 9% 
147Ryan FeltnerCOL@LAD 1%4%
148Cristopher SanchezPHIWAS, @STL 0%0%
149Glenn OttoTEX@BAL 5%40%
150Connor SeaboldBOSNYY 0%0%
151Jalen BeeksTB@BOS 0%0%
152Jackson TetreaultWAS@PHI 0%0%
153Matthew LiberatoreSTL@ATL 4%40%
154Spenser WatkinsBALTEX 0%0%
155Austin VothBALTEX 0%0%
156Mitch KellerPITNYY 30% 
157Spencer HowardTEX@BAL 0%0%
158Sean HjelleSF@SD 0%0%
159Kris BubicKC@HOU 6%49%
160Kyle BradishBALLAA 3%6%
161Dallas KeuchelARICOL 0%0%
162Bryse WilsonPIT@CIN 0%0%

American League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Alek ManoahTOR@OAK, @SEAExpecting more strikeouts as season progresses
2Justin VerlanderHOUKC 
3Shohei OhtaniLAA@MIA 
4Robbie RaySEATOR 
5Shane McClanahanTB@CIN 
6Dylan CeaseCWSDET24 K last 13 IP
7Framber ValdezHOU@OAK 
8Gerrit ColeNYY@BOS 
9Kevin GausmanTOR@SEATentative, left last start after being hit with a comebacker
10Michael KopechCWSMIN, DETNeeds better pitch efficiency
11Luis SeverinoNYY@PIT 
12Luis GarciaHOUKC 
13Shane BieberCLE@DET 
14Frankie MontasOAKHOU 
15Jameson TaillonNYY@PIT, @BOS 
16Cristian JavierHOUKC 
17Joe RyanMIN@CWS 
18Sonny GrayMIN@TEX 
19Zach PlesacCLE@DET, @KC 
20Lucas GiolitoCWSDETGaining confidence in his changeup
21Nick PivettaBOSTB, NYY 
22Triston McKenzieCLE@KC 
23Yusei KikuchiTOR@OAK, @SEAStopped skid last time, can he keep the roll going?
24Jose BerriosTOR@OAK 
25Jake OdorizziHOUKC, @OAK 
26Logan GilbertSEA@SD 
27Nestor CortesNYY@BOS 
28Jose UrquidyHOU@OAK 
29Lance LynnCWSMIN 
30Shane BazTB@CIN 
31Johnny CuetoCWSMIN, DET 
32Tyler WellsBALLAA 
33Jordan MontgomeryNYY@BOS 
34Marco GonzalesSEATOR 
35Ross StriplingTOR@SEA 
36Jon GrayTEXMIN 
37Dylan BundyMIN@CWS, @TEX 
38Cal QuantrillCLE@DET 
39Noah SyndergaardLAA@MIA 
40Martin PerezTEXMIN 
41Tarik SkubalDET@CWS 
42Brady SingerKCCLE 
43Beau BrieskeDET@CWS 
44Chris ArcherMIN@CWS 
45Zack GreinkeKC@HOU, CLE 
46George KirbySEATOR 
47Paul BlackburnOAKHOU 
48Cole IrvinOAKTOR, HOU 
49Dane DunningTEX@BAL, MIN 
50Michael WachaBOSNYY 
51Dean KremerBALTEX, LAACorrection coming, but low walks and limiting HR will soften the blow
52Brad KellerKC@HOU 
53Drew RasmussenTB@CIN 
54Patrick SandovalLAA@BAL 
55Garrett HillDETCLE, @CWS 
56Devin SmeltzerMIN@TEX 
57Chris FlexenSEA@SD, TOR 
58AL Reliever   
59Austin DavisBOSTB 
60Jeffrey SpringsTB@BOS 
61Tyler AlexanderDETCLE 
62Corey KluberTB@BOS 
63Michael PinedaDETCLE 
64Adrian MartinezOAKTOR 
65Michael LorenzenLAA@BAL 
66Brayan BelloBOSTB 
67Aaron CivaleCLE@KC 
68Jonathan HeasleyKC@HOU, CLE 
69Chase SilsethLAA@BAL 
70Konnor PilkingtonCLE@DET 
71James KaprielianOAKTOR 
72Jose SuarezLAA@BAL 
73Alex FaedoDET@CWS, CLE 
74Jordan LylesBALLAA 
75Josh WinckowskiBOSNYY 
76Glenn OttoTEX@BAL 
77Connor SeaboldBOSNYY 
78Jalen BeeksTB@BOS 
79Spenser WatkinsBALTEX 
80Austin VothBALTEX 
81Spencer HowardTEX@BAL 
82Kris BubicKC@HOU 
83Kyle BradishBALLAA 

National League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Sandy AlcantaraMIALAA, @NYM 
2Max ScherzerNYM@CIN, MIANice pair for return
3Julio UriasLADCOL, CHCQuietest ace in the game
4Carlos RodonSF@ARI, @SD 
5Corbin BurnesMILCHC 
6Aaron NolaPHIWAS 
7Brandon WoodruffMILPITReturned with highest velo and spin on the season
8Clayton KershawLADCHC 
9Joe MusgroveSDSF 
10Tony GonsolinLADCOL 
11Kyle WrightATLSTL, WAS 
12Max FriedATLSTL 
13Pablo LopezMIA@NYM 
14Zack WheelerPHI@STL 
15Sean ManaeaSDSEA 
16Yu DarvishSDSF 
17Tyler AndersonLADCHC 
18Charlie MortonATLWAS 
19Logan WebbSF@SD 
20Eric LauerMILCHC, PITGood due for a rebound
21Taijuan WalkerNYM@CIN, MIA 
22Zac GallenARICOL 
23Mike ClevingerSDSEA 
24Carlos CarrascoNYMMIA 
25Adam WainwrightSTLPHI 
26David PetersonNYMMIA25 K last 18.1 IP, and Marlins terrible vs. LHP
27Luis CastilloCINTB 
28Tyler MahleCINPIT 
29Miles MikolasSTL@ATL 
30Blake SnellSDSF 
31Mitch WhiteLADCOL, CHC 
32Spencer StriderATLSTL 
33Merrill KellyARISF 
34Nick LodoloCINNYM, TB 
35Aaron AshbyMILPIT 
36Trevor RogersMIALAA 
37Chris BassittNYM@CIN 
38MacKenzie GoreSDSF 
39Madison BumgarnerARISF, COL 
40Kyle FreelandCOL@LAD, @ARI 
41Kyle HendricksCHC@MIL, @LAD 
42German MarquezCOL@LAD, @ARI 
43Daniel CastanoMIA@NYM 
44Alex WoodSF@ARI, @SD 
45Alex CobbSF@ARI 
46Keegan ThompsonCHC@LAD 
47Kyle GibsonPHI@STL 
48Roansy ContrerasPIT@MIL 
49Jose QuintanaPITNYY, @MIL 
50NL Reliever   
51Paolo EspinoWAS@PHI, @ATL 
52Chad KuhlCOL@ARI 
53Hunter GreeneCINNYM, TB 
54Tommy HenryARISF, COL 
55Justin SteeleCHC@MIL, @LAD 
56Mark Leiter Jr.CHC@LAD 
57Ian AndersonATLSTL, WAS 
58Dakota HudsonSTL@ATL, PHI 
59Andre PallanteSTL@ATL, PHI 
60Graham AshcraftCINNYM 
61Josiah GrayWAS@PHI 
62Mike MinorCINPIT 
63Austin GomberCOL@ARI 
64Zach ThompsonPIT@MIL 
65Bailey FalterPHIWAS 
66Patrick CorbinWASMIA, @ATL 
67Jason AlexanderMILCHC 
68Braxton GarrettMIA@WAS, @NYM 
69JT BrubakerPIT@CIN 
70Erick FeddeWAS@ATL 
71Adrian SampsonCHC@MIL 
72Ryan FeltnerCOL@LAD 
73Cristopher SanchezPHIWAS, @STL 
74Jackson TetreaultWAS@PHI 
75Matthew LiberatoreSTL@ATL 
76Mitch KellerPITNYY 
77Sean HjelleSF@SD 
78Dallas KeuchelARICOL 
79Bryse WilsonPIT@CIN 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd Zola
Todd has been writing about fantasy baseball since 1997. He won NL Tout Wars and Mixed LABR in 2016 as well as a multi-time league winner in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. Todd is now setting his sights even higher: The Rotowire Staff League. Lord Zola, as he's known in the industry, won the 2013 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Article of the Year award and was named the 2017 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year. Todd is a five-time FSWA awards finalist.
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