Who's Now: Top 5 MLB Starting Pitchers

Contributor Written on July 01, 2009

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NEW YORK - JUNE 14: Johan Santana #57 of the New York Mets wipes sweat from his face against the New York Yankees on June 14, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Nick Laham/Getty Images

In 2009, the MLB has seen mediocre pitchers emerge into stars, old superstars fight through injuries to return to their old form, and some superstars just continue to dominate. I have put together a slideshow of my opinions on the top five starting pitchers in the MLB, based on results and leadership. This is what I truly believe has occurred in the 2009 MLB season at the halfway point. This is subject to change in the second half of the MLB season.

Number 5: Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals)

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17: Starting pitcher Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals pitches just prior to the start of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 17, 2009 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

This young phenom has become the ace of the Kansas City Royals in 2009. Greinke didn't give up an earned run until his fifth start and won his first six outings. Greinke would have been the number one pitcher in 2009 in the early stages of the season, but lately Greinke has been figured out. Still a top five pitcher, but slowly Greinke is being exposed.

Number 4: Matt Cain (San Francisco Giants)

SAN FRANCISCO - MAY 17: Matt Cain #18 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Mets during a Major League Baseball game on May17, 2009 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Matt Cain is a stud, but he is in the shadows of ace Tim Lincecum. With a 9-2 record, Cain has established himself in the rotation and could be an ace for many teams in the MLB. If Cain hits the free agent market soon, look for him to make fat cash and become the ace somewhere else. If not, there is something very special brewing in San Francisco.

Number 3: Chris Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals)

ST. LOUIS - APRIL 9: Chris Carpenter #29 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the MLB game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 9, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals defeated the Pirates 2-1. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/G

Chris Carpenter has finally established himself after many injuries. Now as he looks to have recovered from injury, as he is showing his old form. Carpenter is mowing down batters left and right. If he can fully return to his ace form, the Cardinals can find themselves back in the World Series like 2006.

Number 2: Roy Hallady (Toronto Blue Jays)

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 6: Roy Halladay #32 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium May 6, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Roy Halladay is the ace of all aces when it comes to pitchers over the past five years. The guy is crazy good and can strike out batters like a lazy man can flip channels on the remote control. A minor injury in 2009 cost him a start and the spot at number one.

Number One: Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants)

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 23: Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants pumps his fist against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on June 23, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Tim Lincecum is the man in the MLB. He snagged the cover of the latest MLB video game and is a machine. He is the future of MLB pitching. Cole Hamels was supposed to be that man, but slightly fell off and Lincecum jumped on the opportunity. With Cain as his Robin, Mr. Batman can save the city of San Francisco from the Barry Bonds mess.

Begin Slideshow

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written on July 01, 2009 Opinion

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