A strong pitching staff is a hallmark for a contending team. The teams that typically find the most success are the ones that have multiple hurlers who can get the job done. Let’s break down where each team’s rotation currently ranks heading into Opening Day:
30. Colorado Rockies
Freeland – Quantrill – Gomber – Feltner – Hudson
The mound at Coors Field is a lonely place. It’s the most difficult park to pitch in due to the elevation. We’ve seen plenty of talented pitchers come and go from the Rockies organization, and just about all of them have struggled at one point or another. This group is not overly talented. Kyle Freeland is the No. 1 and posted a 5.03 ERA and 1.471 WHIP last season. Cal Quantrill and Dakota Hudson are new adds who will likely see their career ERAs rise by the season’s end.
29. Oakland Athletics
Wood – Blackburn – Sears – Stripling – Boyle
While Oakland projects to be the worst team in baseball once again, its starting rotation isn’t terrible. Alex Wood is a former All-Star and has been a reliable starter for more than a decade. Stripling is another veteran arm — but he started just 11 games for the Giants last year and posted a 5.36 ERA. Blackburn is two years removed from representing Oakland at the All-Star Game, but he is more of a No. 3 than a top-of-the-rotation arm. Sears is coming off his most productive season but he won’t scare opposing lineups. Boyle is arguably the most intriguing piece of the rotation. Boyle debuted last year and made three starts — posting a 1.69 ERA in 16.0 IP.
28. Chicago White Sox
Crochet – Soroka – Fedde – Flexen – Nastrini
With Dylan Cease now a member of the Padres and Michael Kopech in the bullpen, Chicago’s rotation is full of question marks. Garrett Crochet, the Opening Day starter, debuted with the Sox in 2020. He has appeared in 72 games — and has started zero games. At one time, Soroka was one of the top-rising pitchers in baseball. As a rookie in 2019, Soroka went 13-4 for Atlanta and finished sixth for the Cy Young — he then missed three seasons due to injuries before returning in ’23. Through six years with the Nationals, Fedde posted a 5.41 ERA. Flexen was miserable last season (6.86 ERA across 29 appearances) and Nastrini remains a work in progress. Acquired from the Dodgers in the Lance Lynn trade, Nastrini projects to be a middle of the rotation arm but he has yet to make his MLB debut.
27. St. Louis Cardinals
Mikolas – Thompson – Lynn – Matz – Gibson
This group was expected to be improved after a dismal 2023. Any optimism is shelved until Sonny Gray returns from injury. For now, a five-man group led by 2022 All-Star Miles Mikolas is hardly anything to be enthusiastic about. Zach Thompson and Steven Matz have decent stuff and are passable guys to have at the end of a rotation. We’ll see if Lance Lynn can keep the ball inside the park in ’24. The big righty allowed 2.2 HR/9 last year.
26. Washington Nationals
Gray – Corbin – Irvin – Gore – Williams
Josiah Gray was a bright spot for the Nationals last year. One of the big pieces in the Turner-Scherzer trade, Gray was named an All-Star and posted a 3.41 ERA during the first half of the season. Unfortunately, that number ballooned to 4.71 after the break. We’re never going to see the version of Patrick Corbin that dominated during the 2019 playoffs again. He’s led the league in losses each of the last three seasons. Former top prospect MacKenzie Gore isn’t off to the start many expected but he’s still just 25 years old and recorded 151 punchouts last year.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates
Keller – Pérez – Jones – Falter – Gonzalez
The Pirates got off to a stellar start last year but faltered down the stretch. A big reason for that was a pitching staff that faded throughout the season. Mitch Keller was named an All-Star in ’23 but was one of the worst starters in the league over the second half of the season (5.59 ERA, 1.435 WHIP over last 13 starts). Pérez, Falter, and Gonzalez are inning-eaters who aren’t going to do anything spectacular. Top prospect Jared Jones made the Opening Day roster and he may soon be joined by 2023 first overall pick Paul Skenes.
24. Los Angeles Angels
Sandoval – Detmers – Silseth – Anderson – Canning
For the first time in a while, the Angels will use a five-man rotation instead of the six-man rotation they utilized when Shohei Ohtani was on the team. Patrick Sandoval is a solid pitcher who is certainly capable of leading the rotation. In 2022, the lefty posted a 2.91 ERA and averaged 9.1 SO9. Anderson provides another veteran lefty arm, but the Angels will need a better showing from him in Year 2. After a stellar year with the Dodgers in ’22, Anderson struggled immensely last year — seeing his ERA spike to 5.43, up from 2.57. Canning and Detmers should provide innings but neither are going to intimidate hitters. Silseth is approaching his 24th birthday and has the potential to climb the rotation this year. The youngster cut his ERA from 6.59 in ’22 to 3.96 in ’23 and also averaged two additional strikeouts per nine innings.
23. New York Mets
Quintana – Severino – Megill – Manaea – Houser
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Mets have seen some of the best pitchers in all of baseball walk through their doors in the last few years. We’re talking Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, and Max Scherzer. This year’s group is a modest bunch with zero star power. Jose Quintana is coming off a solid year and will open up as the No. 1 with Kodai Senga on the mend. New York hopes they can get big contributions from some new faces in ’24 — including former Yankee and two-time All-Star Luis Severino.
22. Kansas City Royals
Ragans – Lugo – Wacha – Singer – Marsh
If the Royals are going to make a run for the American League Central crown in 2024, they will need their starting rotation to pitch well. Kansas City made two nice additions by bringing in veterans Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. Singer was disappointing in ’23, but he has shown the ability to be a solid arm in the middle of the rotation. At the back end, Alec Marsh beat out Jordan Lyles (bullpen) and Daniel Lynch IV (Triple-A) for the final spot. Cole Ragans, the staff ace, is the most exciting pitcher on the team. Acquired from Texas in the Aroldis Chapman trade last summer, Ragans was stellar with the Royals to end the year. In 12 starts, the budding star posted a 2.64 ERA and fanned 89 batters in 71.2 IP.
21. Boston Red Sox
Bello – Pivetta – Crawford – Whitlock – Houck
Boston traded its oft-injured ace, Chris Sale, to Atlanta in the offseason — leaving Brayan Bello as the team ace. Recently signed to an extension, Bello started 28 games for the Red Sox last year. His 24 allowed homers weren’t ideal, but he projects to be a star. Pivetta has a history of being a workhorse — from 2021-2022, Pivetta started 63 games. Whitlock is back for his third year as a starter for the Sox, and Kutter Crawford is coming off the best year of his young career. Closing out the rotation is Tanner Houck. In 21 starts last year, Houck posted a 5.01 ERA.
20. Milwaukee Brewers
Peralta – Rea – Ross – Junis – Hall
Milwaukee is another team that was formerly a regular atop this list. Corbin Burnes is now an Oriole and Brandon Woodruff will miss the season after shoulder surgery. Both moves have shifted Freddy Peralta into the ace role. The electric righty was exceptional over the second half of last season (2.81 ERA, 0.882 WHIP). However, it goes downhill fast after that. Colin Rea would likely be a sixth starter on most teams. Currently, he’s slotted as the team’s No. 2 option.
19. Cincinnati Reds
Montas – Greene – Ashcraft – Abbott – Martinez
This is a boom-or-bust group. Perhaps no Reds pitcher better exemplifies this than former top prospect Hunter Greene. Greene is a gifted hurler who has gotten banged up a bit in his first two years of Major League action. Still, a 12.0 SO/9 over 46 career starts is nothing to scoff at — even if it comes with a 4.62 ERA and 1.309 WHIP. Health is the biggest concern for the Reds. Nick Lodolo will start the season on the IL, and the recently-signed Frankie Montas missed nearly all of last season. If Montas returns to his 2021 form, the ceiling for this staff will rise significantly.
18. Texas Rangers
Eovaldi – Gray – Heaney – Dunning – Bradford
At full strength, Texas’ starting rotation includes the likes of Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. Even without those two Cy Young winners, the rotation remains in decent shape. Nathan Eovaldi is a very good pitcher who takes his game to another level in the postseason. Both Gray and Heaney bring the rotation a ton of experience which should help the rotation stay afloat into the summer. Dunning enjoyed the best season of his career in 2023, while Bradford made eight starts in his debut season. Ultimately, health is the difference between Texas being a middle-of-the-road rotation and a top-5 unit.
17. Miami Marlins
Luzardo – Puk – Weathers – Rogers – Meyer
Miami’s staff has already been decimated by injuries. Eury Pérez, Braxton Garrett, and Edward Cabrera will all begin the season on the IL. Not to mention 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara will miss the entire year after receiving Tommy John surgery in October. It’s impressive they are still able to rank in the top-20 despite the talent on the injured list. Acquiring Jesús Luzardo from the A’s in ’21 has proven to be an excellent move. Another former Oakland pitcher, A.J. Puk, will look to make the move to starter in ’24. And, we’re expected to get our first, good look at the third overall pick from the 2020 MLB Draft, Max Meyer.
16. Detroit Tigers
Skubal – Maeda – Flaherty – Mize – Olson
Like the division rival Royals, Detroit has hopes of winning the American League Central — and it will need its staff to deliver if it wants to claim the crown. Tarik Skubal is a rising star in the game and has an opportunity to compete for a Cy Young soon. Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty have found success before joining the Tigers, and Maeda will be familiar with the division having played with the Twins for the past three years. Mize, a former No. 1 overall pick, will make his return to the mound after missing all of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John. Reese Olson won the No. 5 spot in Spring Training and will look to improve on his rookie campaign in which he went 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA across 18 starts.
15. New York Yankees
Cortes – Rodon – Stroman – Schmidt – Gil
Gerrit Cole, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, is out for the first few months of the season. Cole’s absence will be tough for New York to deal with, but it does have a group of solid pitchers even without Cole. Cortes will get the ball on Opening Day and is looking to put together a strong year after struggling in 2023. Rodon is in a similar position. The lefty was sensational in 2021 and 2022 but saw his ERA jump to 6.85 in an injury-riddled season in ’23. Stroman joined the club in the offseason and can pitch like an ace on any given day. Gil earned rave reviews in Spring Training and earned the No. 5 spot.
14. Tampa Bay Rays
Eflin – Civale – Littell – Alexander – Pepiot
Staff ace Shane McClanahan is not ready to pitch — so, Zach Eflin presumes the role as Tampa’s No. 1 entering the season. Eflin was great last year in his first season with the Rays. In addition to leading the American League with 16 wins, Eflin finished sixth for the Cy Young and posted a career-low 3.50 ERA. Civale struggled following his trade to Tampa last year but he is a solid No. 2. The pitcher we are most interested in watching is Ryan Pepiot. Pepiot was the key player in the trade that sent Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers. Pepiot has a high ceiling — will he reach it with the Rays?
13. Chicago Cubs
Steele – Hendricks – Imanaga – Wicks – Assad
Marcus Stroman bolted for New York, but the Cubs’ pitching staff should be fine without the fiery two-time All-Star. That is primarily due to the emergence of Justin Steele as the team’s ace, plus the signing of Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga. Steele was a major breakout last year, finishing the season with a 16-5 record and 3.06 ERA while finishing fifth in the NL Cy Young race. Imanaga brings a career 2.96 ERA over to the States and will get many hitters to swing and miss at his deceptive changeup.
12. Cleveland Guardians
Bieber – McKenzie – Bibee – Allen – Carrasco
Cleveland has been a successful team for the better part of a decade in large part due to its pitching. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber is back atop the rotation in 2024, and he is joined by a strong supporting cast. Triston McKenzie’s 2023 season was cut short after four starts. In ’22, he made 30 starts and posted a sub-3.00 ERA. Bibee starred as a rookie last year — finishing 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA. Allen, a fellow rookie in ’23, would be a No. 3 pitcher on most teams. The final spot will come down to veteran Carlos Carrasco and Tyler Beede.
10. Houston Astros
Valdez – Javier – Brown – France – Blanco
Houston coming in at No. 9 speaks to its depth. Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr., and Luis Garcia are all set to begin the season on the IL. Ronel Blanco will take Urquidy’s place in the rotation to start the year. Ahead of him in the rotation are two accomplished pitchers — Valdez and Javier — a former top prospect (Hunter Brown) and second-year starter J.P. France. The rotation will be in a better place in the summer, but it is still a top-10 group entering the season.
10. Baltimore Orioles
Burnes – Rodriguez – Wells – Kremer – Irvin
Fresh off winning the American League East, the Orioles made a huge move to improve their team by acquiring former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. The former Brewer is one of the top pitchers in baseball and gives Baltimore a legit ace atop its rotation. Grayson Rodriguez debuted last year and had mixed results but he also possesses Cy Young potential. The final three members of the rotation are solid players, but the Orioles are awaiting the return of two starters — Kyle Bradish and John Means — that will strengthen the rotation.
9. San Diego Padres
Darvish – Musgrove – Cease – King – Brito
Even with Blake Snell bolting for San Francisco, this Padres group has plenty of talent. Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove return atop the rotation. Darvish in particular is looking to bounce-back after a down ’23. The two, big new names brought via trade are Dylan Cease and Michael King. Cease is a strikeout artist who will be playing in front of a better defense in San Diego. King was mostly a reliever for the Yankees but has good enough stuff that pundits are intrigued by the move to the starting rotation.
8. Toronto Blue Jays
Gausman – Berrios – Bassitt – Kikuchi – Francis
Is this the year the Blue Jays get over the hump? If the answer is yes, the pitching staff will be the reason why. Kevin Gausman is a legit ace atop the rotation. Gausman has made at least 31 starts three years in a row and has three top-10 Cy Young finishes, including a third-place finish last year. After a down season in 2022, Jose Berrios rebounded in ’23 and was a formidable pitcher once again. Bassitt won 16 games for the Jays and finished 10th for the Cy Young, while Kikuchi helps balance out the rotation as the top lefty. As Alek Manoah battles a shoulder injury, Bowden Francis will begin the year as the No. 5 starter.
7. San Francisco Giants
Webb – Snell – Hicks – Harrison – Winn
Signing Blake Snell really brought this entire group together. Logan Webb is the ace even though Snell took home the hardware last year. Together, they form a strong 1-2 punch. After that, it’s a pair of flamethrowers who can touch triple-digits routinely. Jordan Hicks was an interesting signing. The former Cardinal reliever hasn’t been able to stay healthy, but maybe the Giants front office has identified moving him to the starting rotation would serve his electric arm better. His strikeout numbers decreased in Toronto last year and putting the ball in play in Oracle Park isn’t the worst thing in the world.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
Gallen – Kelly – Montgomery – Pfaadt – Henry
The defending NL pennant winners added some reinforcements this offseason. We’ll eventually see new signing Eduardo Rodriguez who is expected to begin the season on the IL. Plus, Arizona ended Jordan Montgomery’s lengthy free agency by inking the lefty to a one-year deal. Zac Gallen is arguably the most underrated ace in the game today. Though, that sentiment may have changed a bit after a strong postseason performance. Look out for youngster Brandon Pfaadt to make a leap. The Diamondbacks asked a ton out of their young pitcher during the postseason run last year, and he delivered more often than not. We’re interested to see how he looks after building up some confidence.
5. Minnesota Twins
Lopez – Ryan – Ober – Paddack – Varland
Sonny Gray is no longer in town, but the Twins rotation should be just fine. Pablo Lopez is the clear ace. In his first year in Minnesota, Lopez reached the All-Star Game and finished seventh for the American League Cy Young. Joe Ryan saw his ERA increase to above 4.00 last year but also generated a career-high 197 SO — averaging 11.0 SO9. Ober has put together back-to-back sub-3.50 ERA campaigns, while Paddack is looking to return to form after making just seven starts the past two years. As for the final spot in the rotation, Louie Varland will begin the season as the No. 5 with Anthony DeSclafani starting the season on the IL.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
Glasnow – Yamamoto – Miller – Paxton – Stone
There’s a whole bunch of new faces in LA this year. The Dodgers began last year with a completely different five-man group. Prospects Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone are joined by the talented but oft-injured Tyler Glasnow, mega-signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and 35-year-old veteran James Paxton. We’re unsure how the staff will configure when the team is fully healthy. Perhaps the team is already prepared for the staff to never truly be fully healthy. Either way, Glasnow is a Cy Young candidate if he can stay healthy, Yamamoto was a superstar in Japan, and Bobby Miller has some of the best stuff in the league.
3. Atlanta Braves
Fried – Strider – Morton – Sale – Lopez
The Braves may have the most potent 1-2 in the league. The combination of the tricky lefty Max Fried and the flame-throwing righty Spencer Strider can give any lineup fits. Strider has a chance to assert himself as the best pitcher in the game with Gerrit Cole on the mend to begin the year. After that, the Braves are hoping to get everything they can out of 40-year-old Charlie Morton and the oft-injured Chris Sale. Sale made 20 starts last year after missing the better part of the previous three seasons. He didn’t have much trouble racking up strikeouts, but his ERA (4.30) and WHIP (1.13) were well above his career averages.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Wheeler – Nola – Suarez – Sanchez – Turnbull
Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are a dominant top-two. Wheeler finished sixth in Cy Young voting last year, and Nola had a fourth-place finish in ’22. Philadelphia is confident heading into any series with that duo. Suárez and Sánchez return to fill in the No. 3 and 4 spots. The fifth starter, for now, appears to be former Tiger Spencer Turnbull. The 31-year-old has a strong arsenal but has pitched in just 137.2 innings over the last four years. The Phillies have to be ready with another plan if Turnbull is unable to hold up again.
1. Seattle Mariners
Castillo – Kirby – Gilbert – Miller – Woo
Seattle’s rotation is excellent. The five men listed above made nearly every start for the Mariners from June on last season. Castillo was great yet again in 2023 — finishing fifth for the AL Cy Young on the strength of a 3.34 ERA and 219 strikeouts. Kirby didn’t strike as many batters out but was nearly as good as Castillo. The second-year starter posted a 3.35 ERA with only 19 walks and finished seventh for the CY. Gilbert? 13 wins with a 3.73 ERA. Miller won eight games as a rookie and Woo averaged 9.5 SO9. With another year of experience for the pitchers not named Castillo, Seattle’s rotation should be even better in 2024.