Roy Halladay and MLB's Top 25 Pitchers Through the Season's First Half

The 2011 MLB All-Star Game is now behind us—thank you, Mr. Roy Halladay, for your stellar performance—and it's time to see who's who in the ranks of the pitchers before we get back to business.

Now ranking a pitcher is a tricky thing.

You can say Jered Weaver is the best pitcher in regard to ERA, claim Jair Jurrjens is the best in regard to record and/or debate Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander are the best in regard to strikeout totals.

In short, there's no real formula here.

So I went ahead and created my own rankings based on record, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts and quality starts with some good old-fashioned opinion mixed in.

You don't have to agree, but hopefully you'll enjoy the piece either way.

Ready?

25. Anibal Sanchez, FLA

6-2, 3.58 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 117 SO

Prior to his last two starts, Sanchez’s ERA was actually much lower, at 2.82, but the kid had seemingly run into some trouble, lasting a combined seven innings in two games.

In Sanchez’s defense, he faced the Rangers in Texas and a red-hot Phillies team right before the break.

To his credit, though, he already beat Philly up in Philly once and handled the Angels rather well. He has also defeated the D-Backs twice, as well as taken down the champs (SF) back in May.

24. Tim Lincecum, SF

7-7, 3.06 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 132 SO

He hasn’t garnered the usual number of wins Giants fans are accustomed to, but hey, give the kid a break.

Why?

Because at 7-7, Lincecum is still one of the most dominating pitchers in all of baseball, which speaks volumes about his abilities.

23. Phil Humber, CWS

8-5, 3.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 65 SO

Wait, what? Humber in a top 25?

Well, finish rubbing your eyes, because despite having one of the worst track records for consistency, Humber has seemingly done a complete 180, showing unbelievable consistency since day one of this season.

I don’t see this lasting too much longer, since Humber is still highly hittable and isn’t a great strike thrower, but for now, White Sox fans have to be happy with his performance.

22. Max Scherzer, DET

10-4, 4.69 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 96 SO

Scherzer has been coming along quite nicely for Detroit, which has moved into the crowded first-place apartment also occupied by the Indians.

Technically there’s half a game that separates them, but you get the idea.

Scherzer is going to have to cut down on his walk rate, though, if he is to help the Tigers preserve their first-place status and stave off those pesky Indians.

21. Josh Tomlin, CLE

10-4, 3.81 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 65 SO

Well, looky here Cleveland!

You know what makes this kid special? It isn’t his impressive line at 26 or the fact that he is one of the top 25 pitchers in the bigs right now—it’s his remarkable resiliency.

After a fast start to the season, Tomlin came back down to earth a bit in May and early June, only to rise back over the top of average.

Typically, younger pitchers tend to stay within their means once they regress, but not Tomlin.

The most outstanding accomplishment thus far was holding the Yankees to three hits while garnering the win after getting pummeled his first time against the Bronx Bombers.

Impressive indeed.

20. Yovani Gallardo, MIL

10-5, 3.76 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 104 SO

Gallardo is eighth in strikeout totals in the NL, and he is right on par with his five-year, first-half average as a Brewers pitcher.

Technically, Gallardo has pitched a few more games than normal (averages out at about nine or 10 historically in the first half), which could be a concern going down the road.

Gallardo's ERA typically spikes in the second half (3.13 to 4.60), but so do his strikeouts per nine (8.9 to 9.4), so the Brewers can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

19. Scott Baker, MIN

7-5, 3.01 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 104 SO

Well, everything was going well for Baker until that confounded flexor tendon became sprained.

The Twins have been struggling all year, and although they are some six-plus games out of first place, the division is technically anyone’s trophy to win.

It will be much harder for Minnesota now that Baker is down, but he was cruising along quite nicely up until recently.

18. Matt Cain, SF

8-5, 3.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 105 SO

Cain is just one of the pieces to the Giants puzzle who has afforded this team a three-game lead over the surprising Diamondbacks, despite the Giants' desperate need for a quality catcher.

Cain has done a respectful job but has also, at times, shown some curious performances, which could be the byproduct of so many late-inning games.

It’s my opinion the Giants should back off this guy since he has averaged about seven innings or more since May.

17. Gio Gonzalez, OAK

8-6, 2.47 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 111 SO

The only complaint I have with Gonzo is the fact that Gonzo is a better pitcher than that line up there suggests.

Gonzalez has done surprisingly well, considering how many injuries the A’s have sustained and how inconsistent their offensive support has been.

16. Clayton Kershaw, LAD

9-4, 3.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 147 SO

Kershaw is right about where most thought he was going to be at this point in the season. He continues to be a shining star for a Dodgers team that is going through all sorts of crap.

Kershaw is a little hittable but more than makes up for it with his penchant for strikes thrown. He doesn’t walk many batters either.

You take the good with the bad, I suppose.

15. Jaime Garcia, STL

9-3, 3.22 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 100 SO

Garcia continues to pour it on as he closes in on bettering his 2010 campaign that afforded him a 13-8 record with a 2.70 ERA.

There is some concern over the fact that Garcia hasn’t lasted past six innings on the mound as of late, but I believe that to be a precautionary coaching measure. Garcia has already put in 117 innings of work in 12 games, compared to his 163 in 21 games all last year.

14. Ian Kennedy, ARI

9-3, 3.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 106 SO

Kennedy has been one of the many reasons why the Diamondbacks are keeping pace with the Giants this year.

Kennedy has turned in quite a few quality starts and has gone eight strong in most of his starts.

His ERA is more of a reflection of what happens when you average eight innings a game—you’re bound to get hit at some point—but his WHIP is also a testament. Despite the many innings of work, he still has enough command to keep his walk rate down.

13. C.J. Wilson, TEX

9-3, 3.20 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 117 SO

Boy, and Texas thought things were going to go south in the pitching department after Cliff Lee’s exodus.

Wilson is yet another pitcher in Texas’ staff who has literally blown away the competition. He is sitting pretty at 9-3.

His walk rate isn’t all that special, but it's not too shabby either. It's more than made up for with his ability to throw the heat.

12. Cliff Lee, PHI

9-6, 2.82 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 137 SO

April and May were rather pedestrian for Lee, but June and July have been quite the opposite for Lee and company.

Through the last two months, Lee has gone 5-1 (undefeated in June with an astonishing 0.21 ERA), holding the current line you see above.

Keep in mind, the ERA and losses sustained came primarily in April and May. Since then, Lee has gone 5-1 with a 1.26 ERA.

11. Jon Lester, BOS

10-4, 3.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 110 SO

Before his injury, Lester was cruising along in Boston and was arguably the uncontested staff ace.

He has gone the distance, consistently delivered the heat and managed the game in various ways—all of the quality aspects you want out of your No. 1 or 2 pitcher.

Lester hopes to be back by next week, but he also says he won’t push things. That's so he can be fully healthy for the last leg of the season in September and October.

10. Josh Beckett, BOS

8-3, 2.27 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 94 SO

It almost appeared as if Beckett had peaked last year after a not-so-good 2010 season.

But so far this year, we have seen a tremendous resurgence from Beckett. He is making his case to be considered the staff ace for the Red Sox.

Red Sox fans, on the other hand, don’t care who’s considered, as long as the staff continues to pitch well.

9. Dan Haren, LAA

10-5, 2.61 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 115 SO

A strong first half is what you would expect from Haren historically. The kid already has a complete game under his belt and was one out away from his second not too long ago.

Haren has always had good stuff and has always been able to throw the heat while displaying exceptional control. But he has also been the victim of being a poor second-half pitcher in the past as well.

Hopefully things will change this year.

8. Alexi Ogando, TEX

9-3, 2.92 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 78 SO

Honestly, a show of hands: How many of you Rangers fans saw this coming in 2011? C’mon.

This has been one of the best surprises for the Rangers this year, hands down. Ogando is not only showing zero signs of slowing, but he has also shown he can bounce back from terrible outings.

Despite a stellar line, it hasn’t been roses for Ogando all year.

He was literally sacked by the Yankees and was beat up pretty good by Kansas City and the Mets.

If those games had different turnouts, imagine how different these rankings—and MLB—would be right now.

7. Tommy Hanson, ATL

10-4, 2.44 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 109 SO

I remember when Hanson came into the bigs—how everyone said he was overrated and wasn’t going to go far at all.

That was then, and this is now.

Haren has solidified his role in Atlanta and has seemingly picked up his game in the 2011 season, which is great for Atlanta.

The Braves will have to get more consistent power, though, if they are to help these great pitchers out.

6. CC Sabathia, NYY

13-4, 2.72 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 126 SO

He continues to throw the heat, go the distance and act as the strong foundation that this Yankees team has used to stay in first place.

It’s obvious now that Sabathia has really carved a home in New York, and he should go down in Yankees history as one of the all-time greats.

5. Cole Hamels, PHI

11-4, 2.32 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 121 SO

Another pitcher on the Phillies staff who has been dominating the competition is Hamels. He has not just picked up where he left last year—he is pitching better.

Hamels has a nifty new pitch in his arsenal, a better level of command and control and is really starting to elevate to the next level.

The current path Hamels is following will eventually lead him to becoming one of the best pitchers in the history of the game.

4. Roy Halladay, PHI

11-3, 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 138 SO

Nothing new to see here, people!

Halladay continues to do what he always does—dominate with a stellar ERA, WHIP and strikeout count. His command has never been better.

Halladay also plays on one of the most explosive offenses in all of baseball, which helps out tremendously.

3. Justin Verlander, DET

12-4, 2.15 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 147 SO

To be honest, it is somewhat of a surprise to many that Verlander has been so consistently successful up to this point in the season.

But to others, he simply picked up where he left off last year.

I don’t think there were too many questions about Verlander’s ability. It was just a question as to when he was going to put it all together.

Consider the question answered.

2. Jered Weaver, LAA

11-4, 1.86 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 120 SO

Weaver has been dominating since Opening Day and hasn’t once wavered from his near unbeatable form, making him my No. 2 pitcher.

Weaver has it all: a stellar ERA, a commanding WHIP and a powerful strikeout total. He is a force to be reckoned with, no matter who you are.

So wait, who’s No. 1 then?

1. Jair Jurrjens, ATL

12-3, 1.87 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 65 SO

MLB may have Weaver as the No. 1 pitcher because of a better ERA and WHIP, but I have Jurrjens at No. 1 due to his overall record and the fact that he is getting the job done without a ton of strikeouts.

Whether or not you agree with his ranking here, two things everyone can agree on is the stellar season Jurrjens is having and how much the Braves have benefited from not only Jurrjens but also the balance of the pitching staff.

For Jurrjens, though, there don’t seem to be any signs of slowing down. This means he could wind up being the overall No. 1 pitcher in all of baseball by the end of the season.

Hope you all enjoyed, and if you're a fantasy baseball fan, come check Who Will Heat Up After the ASB.