Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Striding to the Top

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Striding to the Top

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.

Lather, rinse, repeat. The available pool of two-start pitchers, especially in 15-team mixed, is razor thin. There are a couple of possibilities in 12-team mixed. 

For those new, or needing a refresh, here is how to use the RELIEVER rows and ROSTERSHIP columns to best utilize these rankings. The bolded reliever represents a very good, non-closing reliever. The idea being it's better to start a reliever of this ilk instead of the starting pitchers ranked lower. Of course, everything is contextual and depends on team needs (not to mention format), but within the scope of these rankings, it's a good indicator of how each arm will affect your standings with their performance for the coming week.

MIX12 and MIX15 are the current rostership levels in the NFBC Rotowire Online Championship and Main Event, respectively. They may not match your league, but they ballpark who may be available. Of course, it's always worth the effort to check your league's available player list.

Anyone available in at least half of the leagues is identified. A blank means they are rostered in over half the leagues, but again, always check.

Pitchers with a rostership below 50 percent and above the Mix 12 or Mix 15 reliever are FAAB targets. More often than not, most of them only have one start, but if they're better than who you have on reserve, they merit a pickup, if only to dump next week.

I'm happy to clarify in the comments, as well as addressing specific rankings

Lather, rinse, repeat. The available pool of two-start pitchers, especially in 15-team mixed, is razor thin. There are a couple of possibilities in 12-team mixed. 

For those new, or needing a refresh, here is how to use the RELIEVER rows and ROSTERSHIP columns to best utilize these rankings. The bolded reliever represents a very good, non-closing reliever. The idea being it's better to start a reliever of this ilk instead of the starting pitchers ranked lower. Of course, everything is contextual and depends on team needs (not to mention format), but within the scope of these rankings, it's a good indicator of how each arm will affect your standings with their performance for the coming week.

MIX12 and MIX15 are the current rostership levels in the NFBC Rotowire Online Championship and Main Event, respectively. They may not match your league, but they ballpark who may be available. Of course, it's always worth the effort to check your league's available player list.

Anyone available in at least half of the leagues is identified. A blank means they are rostered in over half the leagues, but again, always check.

Pitchers with a rostership below 50 percent and above the Mix 12 or Mix 15 reliever are FAAB targets. More often than not, most of them only have one start, but if they're better than who you have on reserve, they merit a pickup, if only to dump next week.

I'm happy to clarify in the comments, as well as addressing specific rankings questions. If you have a question about the schedule, please direct it to Probable Pitchers.

UPDATED: Sunday April 23 11:35 PM ET

Week of April 24-30

Mixed

RankPitcherTMOPPCommentsMIX12MIX15
1Spencer StriderATLMIA, @NYMAveraging 98 pitches (5.5 IP) per start  
2Shohei OhtaniLAAOAKMust be hard to play with super hero cape flapping  
3Nick LodoloCINTEX, @OAKHR a small issue, they should correct  
4Gerrit ColeNYY@TEXSo consistent he's become underrated, or maybe under appreciated
5Zac GallenARIKC   
6Sonny GrayMINNYY, KC   
7Corbin BurnesMILLAA   
8Jacob deGromTEXNYY   
9Charlie MortonATLMIA, @NYMOff to another slow start, should rebound, but he is 39 YO 
10Kevin GausmanTORSEA   
11Yu DarvishSDSF   
12Nestor CortesNYY@MIN, @TEX   
13Justin SteeleCHCSD, @MIA   
14Brady SingerKC@ARI, @MINNot giving up  
15Freddy PeraltaMILDET   
16Max FriedATL@NYM   
17Dylan CeaseCWSTB   
18Joe RyanMINNYY, KC   
19Joe MusgroveSDSF   
20Jesus LuzardoMIACHC   
21Pablo LopezMINKC   
22Clayton KershawLADSTL   
23Julio UriasLAD@PIT   
24Framber ValdezHOUPHI   
25Hunter GreeneCIN@OAK   
26Chris BassittTORCWS, SEATurning things around  
27Zack WheelerPHI@HOU   
28Jordan MontgomerySTL@SF, @LAD   
29Drew RasmussenTBHOU, @CWS   
30Cristian JavierHOUPHI   
31Sandy AlcantaraMIA@ATLTentative, was scratched from last start with biceps tendinitis 
32Tanner HouckBOS@BAL 32% 
33Chris SaleBOS@BAL   
34Aaron NolaPHI@HOU   
35Luis GarciaHOU@TBMaking a case to stay in the rotation  
36Shane McClanahanTB@CWSWalks a bit high  
37Luis CastilloSEA@TOR   
38Logan WebbSFSTL   
39Nathan EovaldiTEX@CIN, NYY   
40Patrick SandovalLAAOAK   
41Marcus StromanCHC@MIA   
42Tyler MahleMINKC   
43Alex CobbSFSTL, @SD   
44Shane BieberCLE@BOS   
45Joey LucchesiNYMWASCould stick if he stays healthy0%0%
46Eduardo RodriguezDETBAL   
47Kyle BradishBALBOS, @DET   
48Kodai SengaNYMWAS   
49Lance LynnCWS@TOR, TB   
50Lucas GiolitoCWSTB   
51Garrett WhitlockBOSCLE   
52Dustin MayLADSTL   
53Alek ManoahTORSEA   
54Eric LauerMILDET   
55Mason MillerOAK@LAA 0%0%
56Jose UrquidyHOU@TB, PHI   
57Domingo GermanNYY@MIN   
58Kenta MaedaMINNYY   
59Tyler AndersonLAA@MIL   
60Noah SyndergaardLAD@PIT, STL   
61Logan GilbertSEA@PHI, @TOR   
62Jon GrayTEX@CIN   
63Blake SnellSD@CHC   
64Kyle WrightATLMIA   
65Taijuan WalkerPHISEA   
66Anthony DeSclafaniSFSTL   
67Reid DetmersLAA@MIL   
68Seth LugoSD@CHC   
69Rich HillPIT@WAS 0%0%
70Hunter BrownHOU@TB   
71Matt StrahmPHISEA 35% 
72Grayson RodriguezBAL@DET   
73Jose BerriosTORCWS   
74Kyle GibsonBAL@DET   
75Matthew BoydDET@MIL, BALKeeping the ball in the yard, but needs more strikeouts47% 
76Bryce ElderATLMIA   
77Corey KluberBOS@BAL 15% 
78Spencer TurnbullDET@MIL, BAL 2% 
79Zack GreinkeKC@MIN 3%25%
80Tony GonsolinLAD@PIT   
81Tyler WellsBALBOS 17% 
82Mix 12 Reliever   0%0%
83George KirbySEA@PHI   
84Steven MatzSTL@SF   
85Griffin CanningLAAOAK 20% 
86Edward CabreraMIA@ATL, CHC   
87Ross StriplingSF@SD 14%38%
88Wade MileyMILLAA 16% 
89Mix 15 Reliever   0%0%
90Luis CessaCIN@OAK 0%2%
91Mike ClevingerCWS@TOR, TB   
92Sean ManaeaSFSTL   
93Brad KellerKC@ARI, @MIN 43% 
94Zach EflinTB@CWS   
95Dean KremerBALBOS, @DET 5% 
96Trevor WilliamsWAS@NYM 1%4%
97Andrew HeaneyTEXNYY   
98Graham AshcraftCINTEX   
99Taj BradleyTBHOU, @CWS   
100Bailey FalterPHISEA, @HOU 26% 
101Michael KopechCWS@TOR   
102Vince VelasquezPIT@WAS 0%13%
103Martin PerezTEX@CIN, NYY   
104Jhony BritoNYY@MIN, @TEX 29% 
105Josiah GrayWAS@NYM, PIT 31% 
106Colin ReaMILDET, LAA 3%23%
107Jack FlahertySTL@LAD   
108Cal QuantrillCLECOL, @BOS 39% 
109Yusei KikuchiTORCWS 49% 
110Jose SuarezLAAOAK, @MIL 16% 
111Ryan YarbroughKC@ARI 0%0%
112Austin GomberCOL@CLE, ARI 0%0%
113Ryne NelsonARIKC 33% 
114Miles MikolasSTL@SF   
115Shintaro FujinamiOAKCIN 2%13%
116Johan OviedoPITLAD, @WAS   
117Michael WachaSD@CHC   
118David PetersonNYMATL   
119Nick PivettaBOSCLE 12% 
120Joey WentzDETBAL 0%4%
121Michael LorenzenDET@MIL 2%11%
122Jordan LylesKC@MIN 2%9%
123Mitch KellerPITLAD   
124Brayan BelloBOSCLE   
125Caleb KilianCHC@MIA 0%0%
126Kyle FreelandCOLARI 29% 
127Drew SmylyCHCSD 2% 
128Adam WainwrightSTL@LAD 8%21%
129Roansy ContrerasPITLAD   
130Ryan FeltnerCOL@CLE 0%0%
131Luke WeaverCINTEX 0%0%
132Tylor MegillNYMATL   
133Hayden WesneskiCHCSD   
134Merrill KellyARI@COL   
135Xzavion CurryCLECOL 0%0%
136Braxton GarrettMIA@ATL 41% 
137Ken WaldichukOAK@LAA, CIN 2%8%
138Noah DavisCOL@CLE 0%0%
139Jose ButtoNYMWAS, ATL 0%0%
140MacKenzie GoreWAS@NYM   
141Marco GonzalesSEA@PHI 2%23%
142Peyton BattenfieldCLECOL 2%30%
143Jake WoodfordSTL@SF 1%9%
144Kyle MullerOAKCIN 9% 
145Patrick CorbinWASPIT 0%0%
146Zach PlesacCLE@BOS 1%47%
147JP SearsOAK@LAA 1%23%
148Chad KuhlWASPIT 0%0%
149Clarke SchmidtNYY@TEX 46% 
150James KaprielianOAK@LAA 0%2%
151Chris FlexenSEA@TOR 3%40%
152Drey JamesonARI@COL   
153Bryan HoeingMIA@ATL, CHC 0%0%
154Jose UrenaCOLARI 0%0%
155Calvin FaucherTBHOU 0%0%
156Tommy HenryARIKC, @COL 0%0%

American League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Shohei OhtaniLAAOAKMust be hard to play with super hero cape flapping
2Gerrit ColeNYY@TEXSo consistent he's become underrated, or maybe under appreciated
3Sonny GrayMINNYY, KC 
4Jacob deGromTEXNYY 
5Kevin GausmanTORSEA 
6Nestor CortesNYY@MIN, @TEX 
7Brady SingerKC@ARI, @MINNot giving up
8Dylan CeaseCWSTB 
9Joe RyanMINNYY, KC 
10Pablo LopezMINKC 
11Framber ValdezHOUPHI 
12Chris BassittTORCWS, SEATurning things around
13Drew RasmussenTBHOU, @CWS 
14Cristian JavierHOUPHI 
15Tanner HouckBOS@BAL 
16Chris SaleBOS@BAL 
17Luis GarciaHOU@TBMaking a case to stay in the rotation
18Shane McClanahanTB@CWSWalks a bit high
19Luis CastilloSEA@TOR 
20Nathan EovaldiTEX@CIN, NYY 
21Patrick SandovalLAAOAK 
22Tyler MahleMINKC 
23Shane BieberCLE@BOS 
24Eduardo RodriguezDETBAL 
25Kyle BradishBALBOS, @DET 
26Lance LynnCWS@TOR, TB 
27Lucas GiolitoCWSTB 
28Garrett WhitlockBOSCLE 
29Alek ManoahTORSEA 
30Mason MillerOAK@LAA 
31Jose UrquidyHOU@TB, PHI 
32Domingo GermanNYY@MIN 
33Kenta MaedaMINNYY 
34Tyler AndersonLAA@MIL 
35Logan GilbertSEA@PHI, @TOR 
36Jon GrayTEX@CIN 
37Reid DetmersLAA@MIL 
38Hunter BrownHOU@TB 
39Grayson RodriguezBAL@DET 
40Jose BerriosTORCWS 
41Kyle GibsonBAL@DET 
42Matthew BoydDET@MIL, BALKeeping the ball in the yard, but needs more strikeouts
43Corey KluberBOS@BAL 
44Spencer TurnbullDET@MIL, BAL 
45Zack GreinkeKC@MIN 
46Tyler WellsBALBOS 
47George KirbySEA@PHI 
48Griffin CanningLAAOAK 
49Mike ClevingerCWS@TOR, TB 
50Brad KellerKC@ARI, @MIN 
51Zach EflinTB@CWS 
52Dean KremerBALBOS, @DET 
53Andrew HeaneyTEXNYY 
54Taj BradleyTBHOU, @CWS 
55Michael KopechCWS@TOR 
56Martin PerezTEX@CIN, NYY 
57Jhony BritoNYY@MIN, @TEX 
58AL Reliever   
59Cal QuantrillCLECOL, @BOS 
60Yusei KikuchiTORCWS 
61Jose SuarezLAAOAK, @MIL 
62Ryan YarbroughKC@ARI 
63Shintaro FujinamiOAKCIN 
64Nick PivettaBOSCLE 
65Joey WentzDETBAL 
66Michael LorenzenDET@MIL 
67Jordan LylesKC@MIN 
68Brayan BelloBOSCLE 
69Xzavion CurryCLECOL 
70Ken WaldichukOAK@LAA, CIN 
71Marco GonzalesSEA@PHI 
72Peyton BattenfieldCLECOL 
73Kyle MullerOAKCIN 
74Zach PlesacCLE@BOS 
75JP SearsOAK@LAA 
76Clarke SchmidtNYY@TEX 
77James KaprielianOAK@LAA 
78Chris FlexenSEA@TOR 
79Calvin FaucherTBHOU 

National League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Spencer StriderATLMIA, @NYMAveraging 98 pitches (5.5 IP) per start
2Nick LodoloCINTEX, @OAKHR a small issue, they should correct
3Zac GallenARIKC 
4Corbin BurnesMILLAA 
5Charlie MortonATLMIA, @NYMOff to another slow start, should rebound, but he is 39 YO
6Yu DarvishSDSF 
7Justin SteeleCHCSD, @MIA 
8Freddy PeraltaMILDET 
9Max FriedATL@NYM 
10Joe MusgroveSDSF 
11Jesus LuzardoMIACHC 
12Clayton KershawLADSTL 
13Julio UriasLAD@PIT 
14Hunter GreeneCIN@OAK 
15Zack WheelerPHI@HOU 
16Jordan MontgomerySTL@SF, @LAD 
17Sandy AlcantaraMIA@ATLTentative, was scratched from last start with biceps tendinitis
18Aaron NolaPHI@HOU 
19Logan WebbSFSTL 
20Marcus StromanCHC@MIA 
21Alex CobbSFSTL, @SD 
22Joey LucchesiNYMWASCould stick if he stays healthy
23Kodai SengaNYMWAS 
24Dustin MayLADSTL 
25Eric LauerMILDET 
26Noah SyndergaardLAD@PIT, STL 
27Blake SnellSD@CHC 
28Kyle WrightATLMIA 
29Taijuan WalkerPHISEA 
30Anthony DeSclafaniSFSTL 
31Seth LugoSD@CHC 
32Rich HillPIT@WAS 
33Matt StrahmPHISEA 
34Bryce ElderATLMIA 
35Tony GonsolinLAD@PIT 
36Steven MatzSTL@SF 
37Edward CabreraMIA@ATL, CHC 
38Ross StriplingSF@SD 
39Wade MileyMILLAA 
40Luis CessaCIN@OAK 
41Sean ManaeaSFSTL 
42Trevor WilliamsWAS@NYM 
43Graham AshcraftCINTEX 
44Bailey FalterPHISEA, @HOU 
45Vince VelasquezPIT@WAS 
46Josiah GrayWAS@NYM, PIT 
47NL Reliever   
48Colin ReaMILDET, LAA 
49Jack FlahertySTL@LAD 
50Austin GomberCOL@CLE, ARI 
51Ryne NelsonARIKC 
52Miles MikolasSTL@SF 
53Johan OviedoPITLAD, @WAS 
54Michael WachaSD@CHC 
55David PetersonNYMATL 
56Mitch KellerPITLAD 
57Caleb KilianCHC@MIA 
58Kyle FreelandCOLARI 
59Drew SmylyCHCSD 
60Adam WainwrightSTL@LAD 
61Roansy ContrerasPITLAD 
62Ryan FeltnerCOL@CLE 
63Luke WeaverCINTEX 
64Tylor MegillNYMATL 
65Hayden WesneskiCHCSD 
66Merrill KellyARI@COL 
67Braxton GarrettMIA@ATL 
68Noah DavisCOL@CLE 
69Jose ButtoNYMWAS, ATL 
70MacKenzie GoreWAS@NYM 
71Jake WoodfordSTL@SF 
72Patrick CorbinWASPIT 
73Chad KuhlWASPIT 
74Drey JamesonARI@COL 
75Bryan HoeingMIA@ATL, CHC 
76Jose UrenaCOLARI 
77Tommy HenryARIKC, @COL 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd Zola
Todd has been writing about fantasy baseball since 1997. He won NL Tout Wars and Mixed LABR in 2016 as well as a multi-time league winner in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. Todd is now setting his sights even higher: The Rotowire Staff League. Lord Zola, as he's known in the industry, won the 2013 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Article of the Year award and was named the 2017 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year. Todd is a five-time FSWA awards finalist.
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