10 Pitchers Kicking Butt Heading Into the Playoffs

With the final month of the regular season just around the corner, a few things seem certain.

The Phillies, Brewers, Braves, Red Sox and Yankees are virtual locks for the postseason, and the Tigers have a comfortable lead in the AL Central.

But more importantly, many players are starting to heat up for the stretch run, namely the ten pitchers you will find on this list.

These pitchers have two things in common: They are either heading to the postseason or engaged in a close divisional race, and they’ve been excellent both throughout the season and as of late.

It’s the stretch run, folks—these men are about to separate from the boys.

10. C.J. Wilson

It wasn’t easy putting Wilson in this spot.

There were other candidates—rival Angels Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, CC Sabathia (though he is 2-2 in August and has allowed 20 earned runs in five starts), Yovani Gallardo, Matt Cain, Jon Lester and Justin Masterson all presented a strong case.

But Wilson has been excellent in August, going 3-0 in four outings (all four of which were quality starts) with 26 strikeouts and only four runs allowed.

He has been solid all year long and is now firmly entrenched as the ace of the Rangers. More importantly, he will have to be sharp if the Rangers are to hold off the Angels in the AL West.

9. Zack Greinke

Take away his most recent outing against Pittsburgh (an ugly seven earned runs), and Greinke has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the second half.

He’s 5-2 since the All-Star break with seven quality starts in eight outings and 48 strikeouts.

Yovani Gallardo and Shawn Marcum have been solid as well, giving the Brewers a potent trio to ride into the postseason.

8. Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy is having a fantastic season and is one of the main reasons why the Diamondbacks currently lead the Giants in the NL West.

While I’m not one to typically judge pitchers based on wins and losses, it is hard to ignore that Kennedy is 8-1 in his last nine starts and his second-half ERA is a stellar 2.25.

7. Roy Halladay

What do you expect from the man who threw a perfect game last season, won the NL Cy Young, and added a no-hitter against the Reds in the NLDS?

189.2 innings pitched, 182 strikeouts, 20 quality starts, 15 wins, a 2.56 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and seven complete games sounds good, right?

Halladay hasn’t been as dominant as he was last season, but I doubt teams are looking forward to facing him in the playoffs.

6. Tim Hudson

With all of the hype the Phillies have gotten this year, it’s easy to forget how good the Braves have been.

It’s also easy to ignore how good Tim Hudson has been, namely in his eight second-half starts, in which he has posted a 1.88 ERA and gone 5-1.

While most of the focus has remained on the Phillies and scorching-hot Brewers, Hudson and company won’t go down in the postseason without a fight.

5. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels is currently on the DL, though he is expected back on Monday.

On a ridiculous Phillies staff, you could make the argument that Hamels has been Philadelphia’s best pitcher. His 2.62 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 20 quality starts put him in the pitching elite, and with the exception of a rocky, seven-run outing against the Mets in mid-July, Hamels has been consistently solid all season long.

4. Tim Lincecum

Ladies and gentlemen, please remain a safe distance from Mr. Lincecum—he is scorching hot.

The last time Lincecum went less than six innings and gave up more than two runs was July Fourth.

That’s nine straight quality starts during which Lincecum has struck out 63 batters and allowed only nine runs.

Offenses beware.

3. Cliff Lee

In four August starts, Lee has thrown 31 innings, striking out 32 while only allowing two runs.

Just to be clear, that was 32 strikeouts and only two earned runs in 32 innings.

I had to do a double-take myself.

One of the game’s best postseason pitchers in recent memory (7-2 in 10 appearances, 2.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 80 strikeouts) is well into his playoff form.

2. Jered Weaver

If the player ranked No. 1 on this list wasn't Superman this season, Weaver would have a strong case to be the AL’s Cy Young winner this season.

He’s thrown 195.1 innings (third in baseball) with 24 quality starts (second), 15 wins (tied for fifth) and a fantastic 2.03 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and four complete games (tied-second in the AL).

With only one stinker in recent memory (he gave up eight runs against the Blue Jays in mid-August after serving a six-game suspension), Weaver is one of the reasons the Angels are nipping at the Rangers heels in the AL West.

1. Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander has been the best pitcher in baseball this season, and it’s not even close. Go ahead, pick a category.

Innings pitched? Verlander leads baseball with 209.2

Strikeouts? Verlander leads baseball with 212.

Quality starts and wins? Verlander leads baseball in each, with 25 and 19 respectively.

Complete games? He’s got four, tying him for second in the American League.

Add on a ridiculous 2.28 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, and you have an easy pick for the Cy Young Award as of today.

I wouldn't expect him to slow down.

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