Even with a tough matchup against the Phillies in Citizens Bank Park on Opening Day, Spencer Strider takes the top spot in the first Weekly Pitcher Rankings of the year.
Eight job battles have received significant updates this week, including Opening Day decisions on two top prospects and changes to three closer situations.
Injuries and signings have caused plenty of shifts in our rankings over the last two weeks, with Elly De La Cruz jumping up six spots due to teammates missing time.
Job battles are heating up around the league as we get closer to Opening Day. Has Jackson Holliday done enough to break camp with the Orioles?
Todd Zola considers the impact of extra rest on starting pitchers and wonders if the Orioles will treat Corbin Burnes with the same care that the Brewers did.
Brad Johnson looks at the American League Central, and in Cleveland, he's been won over by Shane Bieber, whose once rather-average stuff has improved significantly.
The weak AL Central is full of spots still up for grabs as camp begins, though the most interesting contest is probably the battle for the Twins' fifth starter job.
Todd Zola considers a new approach to regressing a pitcher's BABIP, which suggests better days should be ahead for Hunter Greene.