Ranking All 30 MLB Pitching Staffs
With the 2024 MLB season more or less at its quarter mark, it's a safe moment to remark that it's been a weird year for pitchers.
On the one hand, a ton of name-brand hurlers have gone down with injuries. On the other, it's the arms and not the bats that rule the roost. At .239, the leaguewide batting average is the lowest it's been since 1968.
So, which pitching staffs deserve the most credit? And what about the least credit?
This is what we're going to determine by ranking all 30 pitching staffs in MLB right now. This concerns both starting pitchers and relief pitchers. And while what's happened to this point obviously matters, there are also cases where a little future projection is appropriate.
Llet's count 'em down.
Note: All stats are current through play on Tuesday, May 14.
30. Miami Marlins
1 of 30
SP Stats: 6-20, 209.2 IP, 8.6 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 5.49 ERA
RP Stats: 6-12, 180.1 IP, 8.6 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 4.79 ERA
What's Good
Lefty closer Tanner Scott has come around since a slow start, racking up 10 straight outings without an earned run. And he has a compelling partner in crime in the bullpen in Declan Cronin. He has a 1.45 ERA in 12 outings and has held righties to a .505 OPS.
What's Bad
Basically everything else, but especially the starting rotation. Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez are out for the year, and Edward Cabrera has already hit the IL twice because of a bad shoulder. What functional starters the Marlins do have are barely that, as their 5.49 ERA is second-worst in the majors.
29. Los Angeles Angels
2 of 30
SP Stats: 10-22, 226.0 IP, 8.6 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 4.58 ERA
RP Stats: 5-6, 153.2 IP, 9.1 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 5.21 ERA
What's Good
After ballooning to 5.43 in 2023, Tyler Anderson's ERA is back below 3.00 for the second time in three seasons. And after not pitching at all in the majors last season, Hunter Strickland is back on the scene with a 2.55 ERA out of the Angels' bullpen.
What's Bad
It's never good when you look at a whole roster of pitchers and see only two guys worth praising. But them's the breaks with this staff, especially with Reid Detmers having hit the skids with an 8.46 ERA over his last five starts and the bullpen in full-on meltdown mode. At 5.21, it has the highest ERA in MLB.
28. Colorado Rockies
3 of 30
SP Stats: 6-20, 216.0 IP, 6.3 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 5.67 ERA
RP Stats: 8-8, 152.1 IP, 7.2 K/9, 4.7 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 4.43 ERA
What's Good
The Rockies' 5.16 ERA is the highest in MLB, but the picture isn't as ugly if you correct for Coors Field. And let's give proper credit to not one but two effective duos. Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill have a 3.55 ERA as starters, while Jalen Beeks and Victor Vodnik have a 2.42 ERA as relievers.
What's Bad
Precisely because of Coors Field, you'd think the Rockies wouldn't want to have a high-contact pitching staff. But that's exactly what they do have, as no team has a lower strikeout rate. And it's largely been loud contact, with only two teams having served up more hard-hit balls.
27. Chicago White Sox
4 of 30
SP Stats: 9-18, 211.2 IP, 8.5 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 1.4 HR/9, 4.89 ERA
RP Stats: 4-12, 163.1 IP, 8.2 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 4.13 ERA
What's Good
Erick Fedde (2.60 ERA) has proved to be a heck of a find, and Garrett Crochet is coming back around after a brief stumble in April. He's given up three runs and whiffed 24 batters in his last three starts. Also finding his groove is Michael Kopech, who has a 1.23 ERA in his last seven relief appearances.
What's Bad
White Sox starters own the highest home run rate in the league, and even the bullpen's modest numbers overstate its effectiveness. It's melted down an MLB-high 33 times and blown as many saves (9) as it's converted (9).
26. Oakland Athletics
5 of 30
SP Stats: 11-20, 217.2 IP, 7.1 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 4.92 ERA
RP Stats: 8-5, 171.2 IP, 9.54 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 0.6 HR/9, 3.51 ERA
What's Good
Everyone has fallen in love with Mason Miller, and rightfully so on account of his 0.98 ERA and endless supply of triple-digit heat. Fellow reliever Lucas Erceg is also tons of fun, and the bullpen in general is a big reason why this staff has been so hard to hit. To wit, A's pitchers have the lowest rate of barrels in MLB.
What's Bad
This rotation is...not great. Even that 4.92 ERA might oversell it, as it has the second-lowest strikeout rate of any rotation and is basically devoid of standouts. This will likely only become more apparent now that Alex Wood has joined Paul Blackburn on the injured list.
25. Texas Rangers
6 of 30
SP Stats: 12-13, 240.0 IP, 8.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, 3.71 ERA
RP Stats: 10-9, 147.0 IP, 8.8 K/9, 4.9 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 5.14 ERA
What's Good
Jon Gray (2.36 ERA) is having his best season as a major leaguer and Michael Lorenzen (3.75 ERA) has helped him in stabilizing the rotation. And despite its high overall ERA, Texas' bullpen has looked better when Kirby Yates or David Robertson has had the ball. They have a 1.95 ERA between them.
What's Bad
This pitching staff will be incomplete as long as Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom and now Josh Sborz remain out with injuries. That it's even been this good is frankly a surprise, especially knowing about the staff's modest K/BB ratio and the bullpen's league-high walk rate.
24. Toronto Blue Jays
7 of 30
SP Stats: 11-18, 215.2 IP, 8.6 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 4.17 ERA
RP Stats: 8-4, 139.1 IP, 7.8 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 1.5 HR/9, 5.04 ERA
What's Good
José Berríos and Yusei Kikuchi have been one of the best starting tandems in the league, combining for 2.74 ERA over 102 innings. And as gnarly as that bullpen ERA looks, did you know the Blue Jays have the highest save conversation rate in MLB? It's true.
What's Bad
Apart from Berríos and Kikuchi, the rotation has been a mess, with neither Kevin Gausman (4.95 ERA) nor Chris Bassitt (5.06 ERA) coming close to living up to their All-Star billing. And big picture-wise, this pen has the league's highest home run rate and this staff in general has the league's highest hard-hit rate.
23. Houston Astros
8 of 30
SP Stats: 11-14, 210.1 IP, 8.1 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 5.13 ERA
RP Stats: 6-11, 160.2 IP, 9.3 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, 4.31 ERA
What's Good
With Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier all healthy, the Astros are in a solid spot with their rotation. And their relief trio of Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu and Ryan Pressly is starting to come around, posting a 2.20 ERA with a 5.00 K/BB ratio in May.
What's Bad
Ronel Blanco had been carrying Houston's rotation, but we'll see how he fares after returning from a 10-game suspension stemming from a sticky-stuff ejection. This staff otherwise has the second-highest walk rate in MLB and the Verlander-Valdez-Javier trio hasn't been overpowering. The three of them don't even have twice as many strikeouts as walks.
22. Tampa Bay Rays
9 of 30
SP Stats: 10-15, 219.1 IP, 8.9 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 4.19 ERA
RP Stats: 11-7, 168.1 IP, 8.3 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 4.54 ERA
What's Good
Zack Littell's success story is ongoing, as he now has a 3.44 ERA since moving into the Tampa Bay rotation last July. He and Zach Eflin have a combined 7.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Rays are also getting healthier, with starter Taj Bradley and closer Pete Fairbanks both looking good upon coming off the IL.
What's Bad
Apart from two good starters and a couple good relievers, there's just not a lot to see here. And that lack of depth especially shows in the Rays' MLB-high 56 home runs allowed and in how only the White Sox, Rockies and Marlins have allowed five-plus runs more often.
21. St. Louis Cardinals
10 of 30
SP Stats: 12-14, 223.2 IP, 8.0 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 4.67 ERA
RP Stats: 6-10, 148.0 IP, 9.3 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 3.89 ERA
What's Good
The Cardinals' offseason investments in Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson have thus far yielded 130.2 innings and a 3.57 ERA. And this bullpen is better than even the numbers above indicate. Ryan Helsley (1.35 ERA) is having an especially good year and 78 percent of the club's save opportunities have been successfully converted.
What's Bad
"This pitching staff doesn't scare anyone" is too general of a statement, so let's try to prove that's the case. How about by looking at Stuff+, which suggests the collective quality of the pitches on St. Louis' staff is the worst in MLB? Harsh, but it tracks.
20. Washington Nationals
11 of 30
SP Stats: 11-14, 214.1 IP, 7.7 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.7 HR/9, 3.99 ERA
RP Stats: 9-7, 149.2 IP, 8.7 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 0.7 HR/9, 3.49 ERA
What's Good
The Nationals co-lead MLB for the fewest home runs allowed, with breakout starter Trevor Williams (1.94 ERA) notably having allowed only one long ball through 41.2 innings. The more exciting breakout, meanwhile, belongs to MacKenzie Gore. He has the fourth-highest strikeout rate of any left-handed starter.
What's Bad
It feels like there should be more praise to offer here, but the trouble begins when one runs into things such as Washington's dismal rate of quality starts and the general mediocrity of its bullpen. That ERA is nice, but its K/BB ratio is low and its hard-hit rate is high.
19. Milwaukee Brewers
12 of 30
SP Stats: 9-12, 208.0 IP, 7.9 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 4.11 ERA
RP Stats: 16-5, 165.0 IP, 8.4 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 3.87 ERA
What's Good
You can mainly credit Freddy Peralta and Colin Rea, who have a combined 3.54 ERA, for how well the Brewers have withstood the loss of Corbin Burnes. Bryse Wilson has also pitched well since moving into the rotation, while Trevor Megill and sweeper maestro Byron Hudson have a combined 1.03 ERA out of the bullpen.
What's Bad
One thing Milwaukee's starters don't do is go deep into games, as no team has gotten fewer innings from its starters. That's putting extra strain on the bullpen, which is already saddled with a low strikeout rate and a high home run rate.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
13 of 30
SP Stats: 14-14, 226.0 IP, 7.6 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 4.26 ERA
RP Stats: 6-9, 158.0 IP, 7.4 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 4.39 ERA
What's Good
The best days for this staff will likely come when Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly are healthy. In the meantime, Zac Gallen (2.86 ERA) is still doing his thing, and Jordan Montgomery has had only one bad start in five outings. And after a rough beginning, Brandon Pfaadt has also come around with a 3.56 ERA in his last five starts.
What's Bad
Having Paul Sewald back should help, but there's no ignoring how bad this bullpen has been. It's one of only three with more blown saves (9) than successful saves (8). And with the second-lowest strikeout rate in MLB, the entire staff could use more swing-and-miss.
17. Cincinnati Reds
14 of 30
SP Stats: 12-15, 225.0 IP, 8.5 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, 3.92 ERA
RP Stats: 6-9, 145.0 IP, 9.7 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 4.22 ERA
What's Good
Only two teams have gotten at least six starts from five starters who all have at least an average ERA+, and one of them is the Reds. This same rotation also tops the leaderboard for Stuff+. All this is including Nick Lodolo, mind you, but his trip to the IL with a groin strain isn't supposed to last long.
What's Bad
The Reds bullpen is solid for the most part, but Alexis Díaz has been anything but reliable in the ninth inning. In 16 appearances, he's been scored on in five games and racked up 12 strikeouts against 16 walks. If they aren't already, the Reds should be worried about him.
16. Cleveland Guardians
15 of 30
SP Stats: 14-11, 221.1 IP, 8.3 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 4.11 ERA
RP Stats: 13-5, 166.2 IP, 10.0 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.4 HR/9, 2.38 ERA
What's Good
Though having a closer with a 0.42 ERA always helps, this bullpen isn't all Emmanuel Clase. Everyone is nasty, hence why Guardians relievers lead MLB in ERA. This is in support of a merely mediocre starting rotation, but Ben Lively (3.06 ERA) has been a nice find and Triston McKenzie is coming around with a 2.28 ERA over his last five starts.
What's Bad
Lively and McKenzie notwithstanding, this rotation is struggling to withstand the loss of Shane Bieber. It doesn't help that Gavin Williams remains sidelined with his own elbow issue, much less that Tanner Bibee (4.34 ERA) and Logan Allen (5.56 ERA) have regressed.
15. New York Mets
16 of 30
SP Stats: 6-15, 213.2 IP, 7.6 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, 0.7 HR/9, 4.30 ERA
RP Stats: 13-7, 156.1 IP, 11.2 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, 0.7 HR/9, 2.94 ERA
What's Good
Only the Nationals have kept the ball in the yard as well as the Mets, who've likewise allowed only 29 homers. They should specifically be pleased with the 3.04 ERA they've gotten from starters Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and José Buttó, as well as their bullpen's league-high strikeout rate.
What's Bad
If only the Mets' walk prevention was as good as their home run prevention. They've issued a league-high 187 free passes. They especially need their rotation to do better on this front, which will still be the case whenever Kodai Senga is back from a shoulder strain that's had him sidelined since spring training.
14. Kansas City Royals
17 of 30
SP Stats: 17-11, 248.2 IP, 8.5 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 3.22 ERA
RP Stats: 9-7, 136.1 IP, 7.1 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 3.89 ERA
What's Good
Only one pitching staff has improved more from 2023 to 2024 than this one. New additions such as starter Seth Lugo (1.66 ERA) and reliever John Schreiber (0.90 ERA) have helped, but incumbents also deserve credit. It's been a return to form for Brady Singer (2.84 ERA) and a breakout year for Ángel Zerpa, who's been scored on in two of his 18 outings.
What's Bad
It hasn't been a problem yet, but Royals pitchers having the lowest strikeout rate in the American League feels like a ticking time bomb. Several of their best pitchers are likely overachieving, including all four of the guys mentioned above.
13. Pittsburgh Pirates
18 of 30
SP Stats: 9-16, 240.2 IP, 7.7 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 3.63 ERA
RP Stats: 10-8, 142.2 IP, 9.8 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 4.42 ERA
What's Good
The Pirates rotation is already having a good year, but it can still get better now that Paul Skenes has joined forces with fellow rookie sensation Jared Jones and All-Stars Mitch Keller and Martín Pérez. And after a brutal April, All-Star closer David Bednar is coming around with only two runs allowed in six appearances in May.
What's Bad
Bednar pitching more like his usual self would help, but this is still a volatile bullpen. The walks have been a persistent problem, and that's no thanks to Aroldis Chapman. He started hot, but he has nearly as many walks (17) as strikeouts (20) in his last 14 appearances.
12. San Francisco Giants
19 of 30
SP Stats: 12-17, 218.0 IP, 7.5 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 4.42 ERA
RP Stats: 7-8, 166.0 IP, 9.4 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, 4.93 ERA
What's Good
Despite those ERAs, there's plenty to like about this pitching staff. Logan Webb, Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison have been an effective starting trio to the tune of a 3.09 ERA over 151.1 innings. This whole staff otherwise leads the majors in ground-ball outs and in Stuff+, which isn't bad considering it's only gotten 11.2 innings from Blake Snell.
What's Bad
That the Giants have gotten so few innings from Snell is not ideal, and ditto for the 11.57 ERA he posted before landing on the IL. Other pain points include an MLB-high total of hard-hit balls and an inability to find the zone on the part of closer Camilo Doval.
11. San Diego Padres
20 of 30
SP Stats: 14-17, 237.1 IP, 9.0 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 4.06 ERA
RP Stats: 8-6, 162.0 IP, 8.4 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 4.00 ERA
What's Good
Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish have been terrific, combining for 17 starts and a 2.45 ERA, and now Michael King is coming around with 13 scoreless innings in May. Closer Robert Suarez, meanwhile, has been hard to score on all year. He's surrendered only one run in 17 outings.
What's Bad
The Padres have to cross their fingers with Joe Musgrove, who was awful (6.37 ERA) before going on the IL with elbow inflammation. Their rotation needs another impact guy, and the same can also be said of a bullpen that, despite Suarez's dominance, has done more harm than good to the club's win probability.
10. Detroit Tigers
21 of 30
SP Stats: 7-10, 236.0 IP, 9.0 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 3.51 ERA
RP Stats: 14-11, 141.2 IP, 7.1 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 3.24 ERA
What's Good
You're looking at the pitching staff with the lowest contact rate in the league. We already knew that was something Tarik Skubal (2.02 ERA) excelled at, and we're being reminded that Jack Flaherty can also miss bats when he's right. Also, a fun fact about Reese Olson: His 189 batters faced without allowing a homer are by far the most of any pitcher.
What's Bad
Detroit's bullpen has a pretty good ERA, but it's much lighter on strikeouts relative to the rotation and has nearly as many blown saves (10) as successful saves (12). If these problems are going to be solved, it may need to be through help from outside.
9. Chicago Cubs
22 of 30
SP Stats: 12-8, 215.2 IP, 8.2 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 3.17 ERA
RP Stats: 12-11, 166.0 IP, 9.1 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 4.50 ERA
What's Good
Everyone is rightfully a Shōta Imanaga (0.96 ERA) stan right now, but let's not mistake the Cubs rotation for a one-man show. Javier Assad (1.70 ERA) and Jameson Taillon (1.61 ERA) have also shoved. And while he's still getting his bearings after coming off the IL, it should just be a matter of time before Justin Steele does as well.
What's Bad
There's a weak link in this rotation in the form of Kyle Hendricks, who has a 10.04 ERA through six starts. But the real headache on the North Side concerns this bullpen. It's a meltdown machine that's badly in need of at least one more late-inning arm.
8. Baltimore Orioles
23 of 30
SP Stats: 16-9, 226.0 IP, 8.5 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, 3.27 ERA
RP Stats: 10-5, 140.0 IP, 9.0 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 3.34 ERA
What's Good
Corbin Burnes (2.68 ERA) has been as advertised, and the Orioles rotation in general looks good now that Kyle Bradish and John Means are back healthy alongside Burnes and breakout start Cole Irvin (2.90 ERA). And for all the handwringing about this bullpen, it's actually up there with the best in win probability added.
What's Bad
This is not to say the handwringing is totally unjustified, as it didn't take long for Craig Kimbrel (3.86 ERA) to show he's no Félix Bautista. And especially given how fast his star had been rising, it really hurt to lose Grayson Rodriguez to shoulder inflammation.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers
24 of 30
SP Stats: 21-7, 227.0 IP, 8.6 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 3.21 ERA
RP Stats: 8-8, 169.1 IP, 8.1 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 3.08 ERA
What's Good
Tyler Glasnow has a league-leading 73 strikeouts in addition to a 2.53 ERA, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto has pitched to a 2.31 ERA since his dud of a debut in South Korea. They're but two guys on this staff who throw gas. Dodgers pitchers are averaging 94.4 mph on the fastball and are being rewarded with a ton of value.
What's Bad
It's hard to talk about this staff without getting into who's not present because of injuries, which continues to be a long list. It's an ever-present threat to derail the rotation, wherein Gavin Stone and especially James Paxton are overachieving in the meantime.
6. Minnesota Twins
25 of 30
SP Stats: 15-11, 218.2 IP, 9.7 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 4.24 ERA
RP Stats: 9-6, 145.2 IP, 10.5 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 1.0 HR/9, 3.65 ERA
What's Good
The Twins lead MLB with a 26.4 strikeout percentage, and a good chunk of the credit belongs to starters Pablo López, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober. Each is striking out over a batter per inning. And lest he be overlooked, Jhoan Duran has allowed four baserunners and no runs in seven games since coming off the IL on April 30.
What's Bad
Despite Duran's dominance, Twins relievers have really been struggling with a 6.28 ERA over the team's last 13 games. There's something of a soft underbelly in there, and the same can be said of the team's rotation apart from López, Ryan and Ober.
5. New York Yankees
26 of 30
SP Stats: 16-10, 237.0 IP, 9.1 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 3.30 ERA
RP Stats: 12-5, 147.0 IP, 8.0 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 0.6 HR/9, 2.63 ERA
What's Good
You'd never know from these numbers that Gerrit Cole has yet to throw a pitch in 2024. Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt have more than picked up the slack in combining for a 3.15 ERA, and the bullpen has been close to flawless. Notably, the next run off Clay Holmes will be his first of the season.
What's Bad
There's a suspiciously large strand rate at play in the Yankees' run prevention, and the bullpen keeping its wizardry up despite a low strikeout rate is likely unsustainable. And after what's befallen them in recent years, does anyone trust Rodón or Stroman to stay healthy?
4. Boston Red Sox
27 of 30
SP Stats: 13-10, 214.0 IP, 8.3 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 2.57 ERA
RP Stats: 9-10, 164.1 IP, 8.5 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 0.7 HR/9, 3.12 ERA
What's Good
The Red Sox boast the most improved pitching staff of 2024. Their guys just don't beat themselves, putting up a low home run rate and the lowest walk rate in the league. A general lesson here is that fastballs are overrated. It's otherwise fun that Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford each has a 2.24 ERA over exactly 52.1 innings.
What's Bad
That Red Sox starters rarely get to face a hitter for a third time helps explain their success, but it also points to a potential fly in the ointment. It means more work for the bullpen, which is a risky strategy given how old Kenley Jansen (36) and Chris Martin (38) are.
3. Atlanta
28 of 30
SP Stats: 15-6, 222.2 IP, 8.6 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9, 3.31 ERA
RP Stats: 11-7, 127.0 IP, 8.7 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, 3.26 ERA
What's Good
If there's a staff that's even better than you think, it might be Atlanta's. Max Fried and Chris Sale lead a starting foursome with a combined 2.67 ERA, and Raisel Iglesias heads a bullpen that has melted down less often than any other. And in the form of the league's lowest hard-hit rate, this whole staff has a sort of secret sauce.
What's Bad
Spencer Strider's absence has yet to really hurt Atlanta, but one wonders how long that will remain the case. Sale (35) and Charlie Morton (40) are both up there in years, after all, and Reynaldo López is in his first season as a full-time starter since 2019.
2. Seattle Mariners
29 of 30
SP Stats: 17-16, 249.1 IP, 9.1 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 3.39 ERA
RP Stats: 6-4, 131.0 IP, 9.3 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 3.30 ERA
What's Good
Mariners pitchers like to bring the heat, as they lead MLB in average fastball velocity and in fastball run value. You know, just in case anyone was wondering where the league's third-highest strikeout rate was coming from. A weak link earlier in the year was George Kirby, but not now that he has a 1.75 ERA over his last six starts.
What's Bad
It's a bummer that Matt Brash had to have Tommy John surgery, and not just because his GIFs will be missed. His propensity for whiffs would have been welcome in a bullpen that could use some more swing-and-miss leading up to closer Andrés Muñoz.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
30 of 30
SP Stats: 23-8, 258.1 IP, 9.2 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 2.65 ERA
RP Stats: 7-5, 127.2 IP, 9.8 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 4.37 ERA
What's Good
Led by Zack Wheeler, the Phillies rotation leads MLB in innings and the National League in ERA. And even the bullpen has come around lately, specifically since Orion Kerkering came off the IL on April 14. Since then, he, José Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm have a 0.86 ERA over 42 innings.
What's Bad
One isn't so sure that swapping out Spencer Turnbull for Taijuan Walker was the best thing for this rotation. It's otherwise suboptimal that Gregory Soto (6.75 ERA) and Seranthony Domínguez (7.07 ERA) are having rough years. Otherwise, "no notes" is all there is to say.
Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.
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