Top 10 MLB Pitchers: Matching Them With Their Ideal Ballpark

It appears as though a subtle paradigm shift has occurred. Teams are starting to become more defensive oriented-the balance of power in the league has shifted back over to the pitchers. The generation of this league full of pitchers, some already star and some knocking on the door to stardom.

Here is a look at the top 10 pitchers and the ballparks they may be most comfortable pitching in.

Adam Wainwright

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 24: Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches his way to his 20th win of the season against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Cubs 7-1

2010 Stats- ERA: 2.42, W-L: 20-11, Strikeouts: 213, WHIP: 1.05, Innings Pitched: 230.1, Complete Games: Five, Games Played: 33

 A 2009 Gold Glove Award winner and a 2009 NL Most Outstanding Pitcher Award winner, he has a fastball that goes up to 93 mph and a great change-up and slider. He may not win any Cy Young Awards, but he will be an excellent top of the rotation starter for the Cardinals.

Ideal Park: Wainwright is already at home in one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in the league.

Over three seasons Wainwright pitched an ERA: 2.09, W-L: 26-11, Strikeouts: 278, WHIP: 1, 05, Innings Pitched: 327

Roy Halladay

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra

2010 Stats- ERA: 2.44, W-L: 21-10, Strikeouts: 219, WHIP: 1.04, Innings Pitched: 250.2, Complete Games: Nine, Games Played: 33

Halladay led the NL in wins, and finished second in strikeouts and WHIP. An innings-eating ace and perennial CY Young Award winning candidate, Halladay knows how to work the strike zone and does a great job at going to work on hitters with his fastball.

Ideal Ballpark: Halladay pitches in the hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, but the best numbers he recorded in at least three starts were at Sun Life Stadium. Halladay pitched an ERA: 1.64, W-L: 3-0, Strikeouts 29, WHIP: 0.72

Tim Lincecun

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Starting pitcher Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants looks on against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on November 1, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by D

2010 Stats: ERA: 3.43, W-L: 16-10, SO: 231 WHIP: 1.27, 212.1 innings pitched. 1 complete game, 34 total games.

Lincecum has proved to be one of the elite pitchers very early his career, and a dominant postseason run a few months ago only solidified that. Nicknamed "The Freak", this fourth year star is freakishly talented, and will continue to improve. He has won to Cy Young awards and has already been selected to three all-star games.

Ideal Ballpark: Lincecum has the ability to keep hitters on their heels and on windy nights, it can be a tough task to hit a ball to McCovey's Cove.

Lincecum pitched an ERA: 3.69, W-L: 9-7, strikeouts: 116 WHIP: 1.37, Innings Pitched: 107.1

Felix Hernandez

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 05: Starter Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field on August 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

2010 Stats- ERA: 2.27, W-L: 13-12, Strikeouts: 232, WHIP: 1.06, Innings Pitched: 249.2, Complete Games: six, Games Played: 34

Hernandez was a beast last year; he led the league in ERA and ranked second in strikeouts. Hernandez is one of the best all-around pitchers in the game-he throws curveballs at around 97 mph and has a strong change-up and curveball. Expect a few Cy Young Awards to come his way in the future as he improves.

Ideal Park: Hernandez dominates games in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in the league, Safeco Field. Over the last three seasons, Hernandez pitched an ERA: 2.95, W-L: 22-12, WHIP: 1.19, Innings Pitched: 332

Jon Lester

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Jon Lester #31 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the New York Yankees during their game on September 25, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

2010 Stats- ERA: 3.25, W-L: 19-9, Strikeouts: 225, WHIP: 1.20, Innings Pitched: 208, Complete games: two, Games played: 32

Lester was second in the AL behind Sabathia in wins at 19. An athletic left-hander who pitches a four-seam fastball at 95 mph, he also possesses an above average change-up and a decent cutter. We should all look forward to a better year from Lester with a more explosive offense backing him.

Ideal Ballpark: Lester enjoys coming to Tropicana Field, a stadium that is frequently near the bottom as far as offense is concerned. He pitched an ERA: 1.08, W-L: 3-0, WHIP: 1.08, Innings Pitched: 25

C.C Sabathia

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 13: C.C. Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on September 13, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

 2010 Stats- ERA: 3.18, W-L: 21-7, Strikeouts: 197, WHIP: 1.19, Innings Pitched: 237.2, Complete Games: 2, Games played: 34

Sabthia came into the league in 1998 and has been an ace throughout most of his career.Sabathia's fastball and change-up were his best pitches last year as he led the AL in wins.

Ideal Ballpark: Yankee Stadium has historically been one of the most hitter friendly ballparks in the league. Sabathia has put up his best numbers at Safeco Field, the most pitcher friendly park in the AL.

Sabathia pitched an ERA: 0.82, W-L 3-0, Strikeouts: 19 WHIP: 0.82, Innings Pitched: 22

Zack Greinke

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ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 11: Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on August 11, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

2010 Stats- ERA: 4.17, W-L: 10-14, Strikeouts: 181, WHIP: 1.25, Innings Pitched: 220, Complete Games: three, Games Played: 33

Greinke is a good athlete and competitor has a good command of his fastball, slider, and curveball and he does not walk a whole lot of batters. It will be interesting to see what kind of numbers Greinke posts in Milwaukee.

Ideal Park: Greinke pitched the best in Safeco Field where he posted an ERA: 1.97, W-L: 3-1, 21 Strikeouts, WHIP: 0.75, Innings Pitched: 32. Greinke has a chance to record better numbers in the pitcher-friendly confines of Miller Park.

Justin Verlander

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 27: Pitcher Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on July 27, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

2010 Stats- ERA: 3.37, W-L: 18-9, Strikeouts: 219, WHIP: 1.16, Innings Pitched: 224.1. Complete Games: Four, Total Games Played: 33

Verlander has been one of the best pitchers in the game and will continue to improve at age 27. He has an outstanding arsenal of pitches including his two-seam fastball which he throws at 94 mph, his power curve ball, and a changeup.

Verlander is a legit ace and will be a perennial Cy Young Award candidate for years to come.

Ideal Ballpark: Velander puts up his best numbers at home in Comerica Park. Posting in three seasons an ERA: 3.29, W-L: 29-13, Innings Pitched 333.1, WHIP: 1.16

Ubaldo Jimenez

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez #38 of the Colorado Rockies works against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 25, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. Jiimenez failed to earn his 20th win of the season as the Dodgers defeated

2010 Stats- ERA: 2.88, W-L: 19-8, Strikeouts: 218, WHIP: 1.15, Innings Pitched: 221.2, Complete Games: four, Games Played: 33

Jimenez had one of the most dominating first halves in league history; he finished third in NL in wins and strikeouts. Jimenez has the fastball to lead the lead in strikeouts.

Ideal Ballpark: Coors Field is the most hitter friendly park in the league because of its high altitude. If we were speaking of Ubaldo's ideal pitcher-friendly park it would be Miller Park. Though he has only had two starts at this venue Jimenez recorded great numbers. ERA: 0.69, W-L: 2-0, Strikeouts: 13, WHIP: 1.30, Innings Pitched: 13

Josh Johnson

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: National League All-Star Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins throws a ptich during the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

2010 Stats- ERA: 2, 30, W-L: 11-6, Strikeouts: 186, WHIP: 1.11, Innings Pitched: 183.2, Complete Games: one, Games played: 28

 Coming off of Tommy John Surgery two seasons ago, Johnson showed he can still be an elite pitcher in this league. This year, he posted the second lowest ERA. Johnson has a good combination of an upper 90's fastball, slider, and change-up and will continue to improve.

Ideal Ballpark: Some may refer to Sun Life Stadium as a neutral ballpark, Johnson appears comfortable there. He pitched an ERA: 2.51, W-L: 17-6, Strikeouts: 272 WHIP: 1.09, Innings Pitched: 244