MLB Top 10 Pitcher Rankings: Gonzalez, Dickey, Sale and Harrison Struggle

It’s been a month for pitchers facing division rivals.

Gio Gonzalez got shelled by the Mets. The Mets!

Speaking of the Mets, RA Dickey has given up 15 earned runs in 20.1 innings pitched.

And on the AL side of things, Chris Sale and Matt Harrison couldn’t pick up wins against the Tigers and Angels, respectively.

The team with the worst luck, of course, is the Cubs.

Scheduled to start at home against the Cardinals on Friday, Matt Garza, an important trade chip for a hapless team, was injured in St. Louis on Saturday…

So the Nationals can complain about their starter falling apart,

The Mets and White Sox can complain about blowing a good first-half start,

And the Rangers can shake their heads when their best starter loses to the Angels

But, hey, that’s nothing compared to what’s happening to the Cubs right now.

And, as baseball fans, do we expect anything less from the Loveable Losers?

10. Gio Gonzalez, Nationals

Last week: 6

Stats: 12-5 record, 3.32 ERA

Only 9.1 innings pitched in your last two starts? Both losses to division rivals (the Marlins and Mets)?

That’s no good.

9. RA Dickey, Mets

Last week: 7

Stats: 13-1 record, 2.84 ERA

It’s been a tough month for the knuckleballer.

Dickey is 1-0 with a 6.64 ERA in four starts and is seeing his team disappear in the second half.

8. Chris Sale, White Sox

Last week: 4

Stats: 11-3 record, 2.37 ERA

Seven hits, five runs and a dinger in a loss during an important start in Detroit?

That was a must-win for a downtrending Sox club.

7. Matt Harrison, Rangers

Last week: 5

Stats: 12-5 record, 3.02 ERA

Giving up four runs and a dinger in a loss to the division-rival Angels?

C’mon man!

6. Lance Lynn, Cardinals

Last week: N/A

Stats: 12-4 record, 3.10 ERA

Jason Motte…I mean Lance Lynn is putting together a pretty good season for the defending champs.

His ERA is below one this month and he’s produced 120 Ks in 116.0 innings pitched.

Well done Mr. Motte…I mean Lynn. I’ve got to get my ears checked.

5. Ryan Dempster, Cubs

Last week: N/A

Stats: 5-4 record, 2.11 ERA

With Matt Garza’s health in question, Dempster might be the biggest piece the Cubbies can move at the deadline.

4. Johnny Cueto, Reds

Last week: 9

Stats: 12-5 record, 2.23 ERA

Twenty-four strikeouts in his last four starts?

Not too shabby.

Cueto is a major reason why Cincy is holding off Pittsburgh and St. Louis in the Central.

3. David Price, Rays

Last week: 3

Stats: 13-4 record, 2.64 ERA

At least seven Ks in seven of your last eight starts?

The Rays should get a green energy discount with all the wind energy you’re creating Mr. Price.

2. Jered Weaver, Angels

Last week: 1

Stats: 12-1 record, 2.20 ERA

The guy doesn’t lose. He’s 4-0 in July with a 1.86 ERA.

1. Justin Verlander, Tigers

Last week: 2

Stats: 11-5 record, 2.42 ERA

Kate…I mean Justin has gone at least eight innings in his last three starts and has only given up 11 hits.

Well done, Mr. Upton…I mean Verlander. Well done.

Tom Schreier writes a weekly column for TheFanManifesto.com.

Follow him on Twitter @tschreier3.