This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.
The week begins during the dog days of August and ends Labor Day Weekend. In between there is a relatively light 91 games with no doubleheaders.
Using NFBC rostership heading into the weekend, Dylan Bundy and Matt Manning are the most likely available two-start pitchers in 12-team leagues, with no one under 50% rostership listed for 15-team leagues. Of course, it's imperative to review your league's list of available players, but at least on paper, this is another week where sage deployment of single-start options is the better route.
Max Fried tops this week's hurlers with a pair of favorable matchups at home. Keeping the ball in the yard has been integral to Fried's success. While this is always the case, the parachute ball has skewed the initial expectations for many pitchers as some have benefited more than others. It sure would be nice to know how the ball will play next season (the effect is more than just universal use of humidors). I know, wishful thinking, but a guy can dream, can't he?
By means of reminder, the rankings are generated from the grid on the Probable Pitchers page, so please direct specific rotation questions in that direction. I'll be happy to address rankings questions below.
UPDATED: Monday August 29, 12:15 AM ET
Week of August 29 - September 3
Mixed
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comments | MIX12 | MIX15 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Fried | ATL | COL, MIA | Only 8 HR allowed in 153 IP all season | ||
2 | Shane McClanahan | TB |
The week begins during the dog days of August and ends Labor Day Weekend. In between there is a relatively light 91 games with no doubleheaders.
Using NFBC rostership heading into the weekend, Dylan Bundy and Matt Manning are the most likely available two-start pitchers in 12-team leagues, with no one under 50% rostership listed for 15-team leagues. Of course, it's imperative to review your league's list of available players, but at least on paper, this is another week where sage deployment of single-start options is the better route.
Max Fried tops this week's hurlers with a pair of favorable matchups at home. Keeping the ball in the yard has been integral to Fried's success. While this is always the case, the parachute ball has skewed the initial expectations for many pitchers as some have benefited more than others. It sure would be nice to know how the ball will play next season (the effect is more than just universal use of humidors). I know, wishful thinking, but a guy can dream, can't he?
By means of reminder, the rankings are generated from the grid on the Probable Pitchers page, so please direct specific rotation questions in that direction. I'll be happy to address rankings questions below.
UPDATED: Monday August 29, 12:15 AM ET
Week of August 29 - September 3
Mixed
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comments | MIX12 | MIX15 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Fried | ATL | COL, MIA | Only 8 HR allowed in 153 IP all season | ||
2 | Shane McClanahan | TB | @MIA, NYY | |||
3 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | PIT, @ARI | Coming off back to back struggles with Dodgers | ||
4 | Max Scherzer | NYM | WAS | |||
5 | Carlos Rodon | SF | SD, PHI | |||
6 | Tony Gonsolin | LAD | @MIA, SD | |||
7 | Justin Verlander | HOU | @LAA | |||
8 | Zac Gallen | ARI | PHI, MIL | |||
9 | Brady Singer | KC | @CWS, @DET | Great matchups to continue breakout campaign | ||
10 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | @LAA | |||
11 | Miles Mikolas | STL | @CIN, CHC | |||
12 | Shane Bieber | CLE | BAL | |||
13 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | LAD | |||
14 | Frankie Montas | NYY | @LAA, @TB | |||
15 | Adam Wainwright | STL | CHC | |||
16 | Cal Quantrill | CLE | BAL, SEA | |||
17 | Julio Urias | LAD | SD | |||
18 | Alek Manoah | TOR | @PIT | |||
19 | Jordan Montgomery | STL | CHC | |||
20 | Spencer Strider | ATL | COL | |||
21 | Aaron Nola | PHI | @ARI | |||
22 | Drew Rasmussen | TB | @MIA | Shoving lately, 1.86 ERA and .57 WHIP with 24 K, 2 BB over 19.1 IP | ||
23 | Dylan Cease | CWS | MIN | |||
24 | Freddy Peralta | MIL | PIT | |||
25 | Triston McKenzie | CLE | BAL | |||
26 | Kyle Wright | ATL | COL | |||
27 | Ranger Suarez | PHI | @ARI, @SF | Slow start but strong finish | ||
28 | Joe Musgrove | SD | @SF | |||
29 | Sonny Gray | MIN | @CWS | |||
30 | Shohei Ohtani | LAA | HOU | |||
31 | Tyler Anderson | LAD | @NYM | |||
32 | Lance Lynn | CWS | KC | |||
33 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | @ATL | He's human after all. Huh. | ||
34 | Luis Castillo | SEA | @CLE | |||
35 | Logan Webb | SF | SD | |||
36 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | @ARI | |||
37 | Ross Stripling | TOR | @PIT | |||
38 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | MIL | |||
39 | Mike Clevinger | SD | @SF, @LAD | |||
40 | George Kirby | SEA | @DET, @CLE | No rookie wall here | ||
41 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | @NYM | Expected to return from recurring back issues | ||
42 | Charlie Morton | ATL | MIA | |||
43 | Domingo German | NYY | @TB | |||
44 | Kevin Gausman | TOR | CHC | |||
45 | Johnny Cueto | CWS | KC | |||
46 | Taijuan Walker | NYM | LAD, WAS | |||
47 | Chris Bassitt | NYM | LAD | |||
48 | Cole Irvin | OAK | @WAS, @BAL | Even better for points leagues | ||
49 | Noah Syndergaard | PHI | @SF | |||
50 | Andrew Heaney | LAD | @NYM | |||
51 | Joe Ryan | MIN | BOS | |||
52 | Framber Valdez | HOU | @TEX | |||
53 | Alex Cobb | SF | PHI | |||
54 | Dustin May | LAD | SD | |||
55 | Jesus Luzardo | MIA | TB | Generating momentum for next season | ||
56 | Jameson Taillon | NYY | @LAA | |||
57 | Jose Urquidy | HOU | @LAA | |||
58 | Yu Darvish | SD | @LAD | |||
59 | Jeffrey Springs | TB | NYY | |||
60 | Pablo Lopez | MIA | LAD, @ATL | |||
61 | Kyle Gibson | PHI | @SF | |||
62 | David Peterson | NYM | WAS | |||
63 | Eric Lauer | MIL | @ARI | |||
64 | Lance McCullers Jr. | HOU | @LAA | |||
65 | Logan Gilbert | SEA | @DET | Solid season, but strikeouts have fallen back | ||
66 | Jose Berrios | TOR | CHC, @PIT | |||
67 | Dylan Bundy | MIN | BOS, @CWS | 11% | ||
68 | Martin Perez | TEX | HOU | |||
69 | Nick Pivetta | BOS | TEX | |||
70 | Aaron Civale | CLE | SEA | |||
71 | Robbie Ray | SEA | @CLE | |||
72 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | KC, MIN | Start and cross and start your fingers | ||
73 | Josiah Gray | WAS | @NYM | |||
74 | Blake Snell | SD | @SF | |||
75 | Austin Voth | BAL | OAK | 22% | ||
76 | Edward Cabrera | MIA | @ATL | |||
77 | Matt Manning | DET | SEA, KC | 21% | ||
78 | Dean Kremer | BAL | OAK | 24% | ||
79 | Zach Plesac | CLE | SEA | |||
80 | Corey Kluber | TB | NYY | |||
81 | Jakob Junis | SF | PHI | |||
82 | Bailey Falter | PHI | @ARI | 1% | 13% | |
83 | Luis Garcia | HOU | @TEX | |||
84 | Michael Wacha | BOS | @MIN | |||
85 | Alex Wood | SF | SD | |||
86 | Marcus Stroman | CHC | @TOR | |||
87 | Jake Odorizzi | ATL | MIA | |||
88 | Mix 12 Reliever | |||||
89 | Mike Mayers | LAA | NYY | 0% | 0% | |
90 | Justin Steele | CHC | @STL | Nice test for breakout lefty, facing tough righty heavy lineup | ||
91 | Patrick Sandoval | LAA | NYY | |||
92 | Nick Lodolo | CIN | COL | |||
93 | Mix 15 Reliever | |||||
94 | Drew Smyly | CHC | @STL | 41% | ||
95 | JP Sears | OAK | @WAS | 28% | ||
96 | Zach Davies | ARI | MIL | 4% | ||
97 | Paolo Espino | WAS | @NYM | 0% | 4% | |
98 | Spenser Watkins | BAL | @CLE, OAK | 8% | ||
99 | Rich Hill | BOS | TEX | 3% | ||
100 | Eduardo Rodriguez | DET | SEA | |||
101 | Luis Cessa | CIN | COL | 0% | 2% | |
102 | Roansy Contreras | PIT | TOR | |||
103 | Daniel Lynch | KC | @CWS | 17% | ||
104 | Tommy Henry | ARI | PHI | 2% | ||
105 | Clarke Schmidt | NYY | @TB | 1% | 17% | |
106 | German Marquez | COL | @CIN | 45% | ||
107 | Cade Cavalli | WAS | OAK | 0% | 2% | |
108 | Madison Bumgarner | ARI | PHI, MIL | |||
109 | Mitch White | TOR | CHC | 29% | ||
110 | Reid Detmers | LAA | HOU | |||
111 | Jose Quintana | STL | @CIN | |||
112 | Sean Manaea | SD | @LAD | |||
113 | Anibal Sanchez | WAS | OAK | 0% | 0% | |
114 | Michael Pineda | DET | KC | 3% | 17% | |
115 | Max Castillo | KC | @DET | 0% | 2% | |
116 | Kutter Crawford | BOS | @MIN, TEX | 44% | ||
117 | Erick Fedde | WAS | OAK | 1% | 2% | |
118 | Glenn Otto | TEX | @BOS | 10% | ||
119 | Dane Dunning | TEX | HOU, @BOS | 40% | ||
120 | Chris Archer | MIN | BOS | 6% | ||
121 | Adrian Houser | MIL | PIT, @ARI | 15% | 17% | |
122 | Jonathan Heasley | KC | @DET | 1% | 0% | |
123 | JT Brubaker | PIT | TOR | 29% | ||
124 | Trevor Rogers | MIA | TB | 42% | ||
125 | Jose Suarez | LAA | NYY | 27% | ||
126 | Brayan Bello | BOS | @MIN, TEX | 2% | 4% | |
127 | Dakota Hudson | STL | @CIN | 19% | ||
128 | Tucker Davidson | LAA | HOU | 1% | 13% | |
129 | Kyle Freeland | COL | @CIN | 9% | 26% | |
130 | Kyle Bradish | BAL | @CLE | 7% | ||
131 | Luke Farrell | CHC | @TOR | 0% | 0% | |
132 | Adrian Sampson | CHC | @STL | 5% | ||
133 | Adrian Martinez | OAK | @BAL | 0% | 0% | |
134 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | @DET | |||
135 | Kris Bubic | KC | @CWS | 16% | 38% | |
136 | Drew Hutchison | DET | KC | 1% | 15% | |
137 | Ryan Feltner | COL | @ATL | 0% | 0% | |
138 | Jordan Lyles | BAL | @CLE | 9% | ||
139 | Mitch Keller | PIT | @MIL | |||
140 | Jose Urena | COL | @ATL, @CIN | 0% | 2% | |
141 | Chad Kuhl | COL | @ATL | 13% | 11% | |
142 | Tyler Alexander | DET | SEA | 0% | 15% | |
143 | Mike Minor | CIN | STL | 0% | 19% | |
144 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | @NYM | 5% | 28% | |
145 | Justin Dunn | CIN | STL | 0% | 2% | |
146 | Jerad Eickhoff | PIT | @MIL | 0% | 0% | |
147 | Chase Anderson | CIN | STL, COL | 0% | 0% | |
148 | James Kaprielian | OAK | @WAS | 29% | ||
149 | Bryse Wilson | PIT | @MIL | 1% | 6% | |
150 | Javier Assad | CHC | @TOR | 0% | 0% | |
151 | Adam Oller | OAK | @BAL | 1% | 6% | |
152 | Davis Martin | CWS | MIN | 0% | 0% | |
153 | Zach Thompson | PIT | TOR | 0% | 2% | |
154 | Aaron Sanchez | MIN | @CWS | 0% | 0% | |
155 | Kohei Arihara | TEX | @BOS | 0% | 19% | |
156 | Dallas Keuchel | TEX | @BOS | 0% | 0% |
American League
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shane McClanahan | TB | @MIA, NYY | |
2 | Justin Verlander | HOU | @LAA | |
3 | Brady Singer | KC | @CWS, @DET | Great matchups to continue breakout campaign |
4 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | @LAA | |
5 | Shane Bieber | CLE | BAL | |
6 | Frankie Montas | NYY | @LAA, @TB | |
7 | Cal Quantrill | CLE | BAL, SEA | |
8 | Alek Manoah | TOR | @PIT | |
9 | Drew Rasmussen | TB | @MIA | Shoving lately, 1.86 ERA and .57 WHIP with 24 K, 2 BB over 19.1 IP |
10 | Dylan Cease | CWS | MIN | |
11 | Triston McKenzie | CLE | BAL | |
12 | Sonny Gray | MIN | @CWS | |
13 | Shohei Ohtani | LAA | HOU | |
14 | Lance Lynn | CWS | KC | |
15 | Luis Castillo | SEA | @CLE | |
16 | Ross Stripling | TOR | @PIT | |
17 | George Kirby | SEA | @DET, @CLE | No rookie wall here |
18 | Domingo German | NYY | @TB | |
19 | Kevin Gausman | TOR | CHC | |
20 | Johnny Cueto | CWS | KC | |
21 | Cole Irvin | OAK | @WAS, @BAL | Even better for points leagues |
22 | Joe Ryan | MIN | BOS | |
23 | Framber Valdez | HOU | @TEX | |
24 | Jameson Taillon | NYY | @LAA | |
25 | Jose Urquidy | HOU | @LAA | |
26 | Jeffrey Springs | TB | NYY | |
27 | Lance McCullers Jr. | HOU | @LAA | |
28 | Logan Gilbert | SEA | @DET | Solid season, but strikeouts have fallen back |
29 | Jose Berrios | TOR | CHC, @PIT | |
30 | Dylan Bundy | MIN | BOS, @CWS | |
31 | Martin Perez | TEX | HOU | |
32 | Nick Pivetta | BOS | TEX | |
33 | Aaron Civale | CLE | SEA | |
34 | Robbie Ray | SEA | @CLE | |
35 | Lucas Giolito | CWS | KC, MIN | Start and cross and start your fingers |
36 | Austin Voth | BAL | OAK | |
37 | Matt Manning | DET | SEA, KC | |
38 | Dean Kremer | BAL | OAK | |
39 | Zach Plesac | CLE | SEA | |
40 | Corey Kluber | TB | NYY | |
41 | Luis Garcia | HOU | @TEX | |
42 | Michael Wacha | BOS | @MIN | |
43 | Mike Mayers | LAA | NYY | |
44 | Patrick Sandoval | LAA | NYY | |
45 | JP Sears | OAK | @WAS | |
46 | Spenser Watkins | BAL | @CLE, OAK | |
47 | Rich Hill | BOS | TEX | |
48 | Eduardo Rodriguez | DET | SEA | |
49 | Daniel Lynch | KC | @CWS | |
50 | AL Reliever | |||
51 | Clarke Schmidt | NYY | @TB | |
52 | Mitch White | TOR | CHC | |
53 | Reid Detmers | LAA | HOU | |
54 | Michael Pineda | DET | KC | |
55 | Max Castillo | KC | @DET | |
56 | Kutter Crawford | BOS | @MIN, TEX | |
57 | Glenn Otto | TEX | @BOS | |
58 | Dane Dunning | TEX | HOU, @BOS | |
59 | Chris Archer | MIN | BOS | |
60 | Jonathan Heasley | KC | @DET | |
61 | Jose Suarez | LAA | NYY | |
62 | Brayan Bello | BOS | @MIN, TEX | |
63 | Tucker Davidson | LAA | HOU | |
64 | Kyle Bradish | BAL | @CLE | |
65 | Adrian Martinez | OAK | @BAL | |
66 | Marco Gonzales | SEA | @DET | |
67 | Kris Bubic | KC | @CWS | |
68 | Drew Hutchison | DET | KC | |
69 | Jordan Lyles | BAL | @CLE | |
70 | Tyler Alexander | DET | SEA | |
71 | James Kaprielian | OAK | @WAS | |
72 | Adam Oller | OAK | @BAL | |
73 | Davis Martin | CWS | MIN | |
74 | Aaron Sanchez | MIN | @CWS | |
75 | Kohei Arihara | TEX | @BOS | |
76 | Dallas Keuchel | TEX | @BOS |
National League
Rank | Pitcher | TM | OPP | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Fried | ATL | COL, MIA | Only 8 HR allowed in 153 IP all season |
2 | Corbin Burnes | MIL | PIT, @ARI | Coming off back to back struggles with Dodgers |
3 | Max Scherzer | NYM | WAS | |
4 | Carlos Rodon | SF | SD, PHI | |
5 | Tony Gonsolin | LAD | @MIA, SD | |
6 | Zac Gallen | ARI | PHI, MIL | |
7 | Miles Mikolas | STL | @CIN, CHC | |
8 | Jacob deGrom | NYM | LAD | |
9 | Adam Wainwright | STL | CHC | |
10 | Julio Urias | LAD | SD | |
11 | Jordan Montgomery | STL | CHC | |
12 | Spencer Strider | ATL | COL | |
13 | Aaron Nola | PHI | @ARI | |
14 | Freddy Peralta | MIL | PIT | |
15 | Kyle Wright | ATL | COL | |
16 | Ranger Suarez | PHI | @ARI, @SF | Slow start but strong finish |
17 | Joe Musgrove | SD | @SF | |
18 | Tyler Anderson | LAD | @NYM | |
19 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | @ATL | He's human after all. Huh. |
20 | Logan Webb | SF | SD | |
21 | Brandon Woodruff | MIL | @ARI | |
22 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | MIL | |
23 | Mike Clevinger | SD | @SF, @LAD | |
24 | Clayton Kershaw | LAD | @NYM | Expected to return from recurring back issues |
25 | Charlie Morton | ATL | MIA | |
26 | Taijuan Walker | NYM | LAD, WAS | |
27 | Chris Bassitt | NYM | LAD | |
28 | Noah Syndergaard | PHI | @SF | |
29 | Andrew Heaney | LAD | @NYM | |
30 | Alex Cobb | SF | PHI | |
31 | Dustin May | LAD | SD | |
32 | Jesus Luzardo | MIA | TB | Generating momentum for next season |
33 | Yu Darvish | SD | @LAD | |
34 | Pablo Lopez | MIA | LAD, @ATL | |
35 | Kyle Gibson | PHI | @SF | |
36 | David Peterson | NYM | WAS | |
37 | Eric Lauer | MIL | @ARI | |
38 | Josiah Gray | WAS | @NYM | |
39 | Blake Snell | SD | @SF | |
40 | Edward Cabrera | MIA | @ATL | |
41 | Jakob Junis | SF | PHI | |
42 | Bailey Falter | PHI | @ARI | |
43 | Alex Wood | SF | SD | |
44 | Marcus Stroman | CHC | @TOR | |
45 | Jake Odorizzi | ATL | MIA | |
46 | Justin Steele | CHC | @STL | Nice test for breakout lefty, facing tough righty heavy lineup |
47 | Nick Lodolo | CIN | COL | |
48 | Drew Smyly | CHC | @STL | |
49 | Zach Davies | ARI | MIL | |
50 | Paolo Espino | WAS | @NYM | |
51 | Luis Cessa | CIN | COL | |
52 | Roansy Contreras | PIT | TOR | |
53 | NL Reliever | |||
54 | Tommy Henry | ARI | PHI | |
55 | German Marquez | COL | @CIN | |
56 | Cade Cavalli | WAS | OAK | |
57 | Madison Bumgarner | ARI | PHI, MIL | |
58 | Jose Quintana | STL | @CIN | |
59 | Sean Manaea | SD | @LAD | |
60 | Anibal Sanchez | WAS | OAK | |
61 | Erick Fedde | WAS | OAK | |
62 | Adrian Houser | MIL | PIT, @ARI | |
63 | JT Brubaker | PIT | TOR | |
64 | Trevor Rogers | MIA | TB | |
65 | Dakota Hudson | STL | @CIN | |
66 | Kyle Freeland | COL | @CIN | |
67 | Luke Farrell | CHC | @TOR | |
68 | Adrian Sampson | CHC | @STL | |
69 | Ryan Feltner | COL | @ATL | |
70 | Mitch Keller | PIT | @MIL | |
71 | Jose Urena | COL | @ATL, @CIN | |
72 | Chad Kuhl | COL | @ATL | |
73 | Mike Minor | CIN | STL | |
74 | Patrick Corbin | WAS | @NYM | |
75 | Justin Dunn | CIN | STL | |
76 | Jerad Eickhoff | PIT | @MIL | |
77 | Chase Anderson | CIN | STL, COL | |
78 | Bryse Wilson | PIT | @MIL | |
79 | Javier Assad | CHC | @TOR | |
80 | Zach Thompson | PIT | TOR |