The 11 Best Pitchers In The MLB: Ages 28-32

The player must be healthy (sorry Jake Peavy and Brandon Webb)

Hope you enjoy it.

My Apologies to:

Fernando Rodney, Brad Penny, Jose Valverde

11: Frank Francisco; Age: 29

This season, Frank Francisco has stepped up as the Ranger's closer when C.J. Wilson struggles as the Rangers closer. This season Francisco has 16 saves in 18 opportunities, and an ERA of 2.01. He also features a very good mid-90s fastball and a nasty hook

 10: Wandy Rodriguez; Age: 30

For years, Rodriguez has been a very serviceable starter for the Astros, and he has always played second fiddle to Roy Oswalt. With Roy Oswalt's performance on the decline, Rodriguez has become the ace of the Astros. This season he is 11-6, with an ERA of 2.51, and 131 strikeouts. Rodriguez throws in the upper-80s or low-90s with good movement and control, along with a good change and hook.

9: Jonathan Papelbon; Age 28

Papelbon has made himself known as one of the most dominating closers in the game for a few years now, and for good reason. This year, Papelbon has 28 saves in 31 opportunities, and an ERA of 2.17. He mostly throws his mid-90s fastball, but on occasion you will see a slider out of Papelbon.

8: Mark Buerhle; Age: 30

Not only has Mark Buerhle been the only consistent starter on the White Sox this season, he has also tossed a perfect game. This year Buerhle is 11-6, with a 3.7 ERA, and 84 strikeouts. He features a mid to upper-80s fastball, a decent cutter, an average curve, and a very good changeup.

7: A.J. Burnett; Age: 32

This season, Burnett has been a major contributor in the superior Yankees' rotation. He is 10-5, with an ERA of 3.71, and 130 strikeouts. Burnett has a good mid-90s fastball with very good movement, and a filthy slider.

6: Cliff Lee; Age: 30

This season Cliff Lee had pitched well with the Indians, but with little run support, and now that he's with the Phillies, he has gone 3-0. On the Season, Lee is 10-9 with an ERA of 2.86, and 130 strikeouts. Lee throws a fastball in the upper-80s to low-90s with fantastic control, and a very good change-up.

5: Dan Haren; Age: 28

This season Haren has been one of the few brightspots on the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is 11-7, with an ERA of 2.57, and 153 strikeouts. He features a low-90s fastball, with a good slider, an above average changeup, and a good cutter.

4: Johan Santana; Age: 30

Johan Santana has been a dominating force on a pitching mound for years now. He is 13-8, with an ERA 3.0, and 138 strikeouts this season. Santana throws his fastball in the lower-90s with good movement, and one of the game's best change-ups.

3: C.C. Sabathia; Age: 29

C.C. Sabathia has been one of the best big-game pitchers of his generation. He is 12-7 this season, holding an ERA of 3.64, and 133 strikeouts. C.C. throws his fastball in the mid 90s, and an absolutely devastating slider.

I know I'm going to get grief for the final two. So.... here it is.

2: Roy Halladay; Age: 32

One of the best pitcher's in the game and one of my favorites for the poise and control he shows on the mound. He is 12-5, with an ERA of 2.73 ERA, and has 138 strikeouts. He throws his fastball in the lower-90s with great control and tail, a very good curve-ball, as well as a fantastic cutter.

1: Josh Beckett; Age: 29

In my opinion, Beckett is the best pitcher in the game, not named Lincecum. I know that people will say Halladay belongs here because he does it with fewer run support, but here's why I'm so high on Beckett: He is 14-4 this season, with and ERA of 3.1, and 145 strikeouts. There are few if any that have better stuff than him. He throws a mid 90s fastball with superior movement and control, an above average change-up that he throws as a change of pace pitch, and a filthy curve-ball. He throws with good poise, not as well as Halladay, but as come along way from the Fiery Kid in Florida. So... let the Piranhas bite, I can take it.