These rotations look very different following the trade deadline. For teams that made moves at the deadline, they’ve now seen at least a couple of starts from their new arms. There are also some more injuries to navigate that happened throughout the last week.
Thank you to Tanner McGrath for filling in for me last week and doing a fantastic job!
Remember the handy glossary for this article:
- (OFF) means the team has an off-day before they play that team.
- (DH) indicates a doubleheader that day.
- SPOT is used when that game might be projected to be someone different from the rotation’s mainstay. Notes will explain.
- ??? represents an unclear rotational spot, and the notes will explain options.
And finally let’s look at Nick’s offensive rankings.
Nick’s Loose Team Offense Rankings (Updated 8/6)
| Top | Solid | Average | Weak | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAL | ATL | ARI | vs. CIN | CHW |
| HOU | @CIN | BOS | DET | vs. COL |
| LAD | CLE | CHC | SFG | LAA |
| NYY | @COL | MIL | STL | MIA |
| PHI | MIN | KCR | WSN | PIT |
| TEX | NYM | OAK | SEA | |
| SDP | TOR | TBR |
AL East
Orioles’ Expected Starters
| BAL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trevor Rogers | WSN (OFF) | BOS | HOU | @ LAD |
| Dean Kremer | WSN | @ NYM | HOU | @ COL |
| Zach Eflin | BOS | @ NYM | HOU | @ COL |
| Corbin Burnes | BOS | @ NYM | @ LAD (OFF) | @ COL |
| Albert Suarez | BOS | HOU | @ LAD | CWS |
- Grayson Rodriguez will be shut down for a little bit. The Orioles reportedly expect him back in September.
Red Sox Expected Starters
| BOS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brayan Bello | TEX | @ BAL | ARI (OFF) | TOR |
| Kutter Crawford | TEX | @ BAL | ARI | TOR |
| Nick Pivetta | TEX | @ HOU | ARI | TOR |
| Tanner Houck | @ BAL | @ HOU | TOR (DH) | @ DET |
| James Paxton | @ BAL | @ HOU | TOR (DH) | @ DET |
- The Red Sox have a tough road coming up with the Rangers, Orioles, and Astros all in a row this week and early next week.
Yankees’ Expected Starters
| NYY | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Gil | @ CHW | @ DET | COL | STL (OFF) |
| Nestor Cortes | @ CHW | CLE (OFF) | COL | STL |
| Carlos Rodón | @ CHW | CLE | @ WSN | STL |
| Gerrit Cole | @ DET (OFF) | CLE | @ WSN | @ TEX |
| Marcus Stroman | @ DET | COL | @ WSN | @ TEX |
- An upcoming stand against AL Central opponents gives this rotation a good chance to try and get a leg up on the Orioles in the division race.
Rays’ Expected Starters
| TBR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taj Bradley | HOU | ARI | @ LAD | @ SEA |
| Shane Baz | HOU | @ OAK | @ LAD | SDP |
| Zack Littell | HOU | @ OAK | @ LAD | SDP |
| Ryan Pepiot | ARI (OFF) | @ OAK | @ SEA | SDP |
| Jeffrey Springs | ARI | @ OAK | @ SEA | MIN |
- Shane Baz looked to be picking things up this year with good outings against Cincinnati and Houston before taking a step back against the Cardinals. He will see Houston again this week.
Blue Jays’ Expected Starters
| TOR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowden Francis | @ LAA | @ CHC | LAA | @ BOS |
| Kevin Gausman | @ LAA | CIN | LAA | @ BOS |
| José Berríos | @ LAA | CIN | LAA | @ BOS |
| Yariel Rodríguez | @ CHC (OFF) | CIN | @ BOS (DH) | @ MIN |
| Chris Bassitt | @ CHC | LAA | @ BOS (DH) | @ MIN |
- In his last outing, Bowden Francis struck out 7 and walked 1 across 5 innings against the Orioles.
AL Central
White Sox Expected Starters
| CWS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ky Bush | NYY (OFF) | @ HOU | DET | TEX |
| Jonathan Cannon | NYY | @ SFG | DET | NYM |
| Davis Martin | NYY | @ SFG | DET | NYM |
| Garrett Crochet | @ HOU (OFF) | @ SFG | TEX | NYM |
| Chris Flexen | @ HOU | DET (OFF) | TEX | @ BAL |
- In his MLB debut Ky Bush gave up 3 runs while walking 5 and striking out 3 across 4 innings of work.
Guardians’ Expected Starters
| CLE | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Lively | CHC | @ MIL | TEX | KCR |
| ??? | CHC | @ NYY (OFF) | TEX | PIT (OFF) |
| Alex Cobb | CHC | @ NYY | KCR (DH) | PIT |
| Gavin Williams | @ MIL (OFF) | @ NYY | KCR (DH) | PIT |
| Tanner Bibee | @ MIL | TEX | KCR | KCR |
- Carlos Carrasco was placed on the IL with a hip strain over the weekend. There still hasn’t been any word on who will replace him yet.
Tigers’ Expected Starters
| DET | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarik Skubal | SEA (OFF) | NYY | @ CHW | LAA |
| Kenta Maeda | SEA | @ CHC (OFF) | @ CHW | BOS |
| Brant Hurter | SEA | @ CHC | @ CHW | BOS |
| Bryan Sammons | NYY | @ CHC | LAA | BOS |
| Keider Montero | NYY | @ CHW | LAA | @ SDP |
- Two outings into his MLB career, Brant Hurter has 8 strikeouts and 1 walk over 8 innings of work. He’s given up 3 runs in that time. He may be a good streaming option against the Mariners.
Royals’ Expected Starters
| KCR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brady Singer | @ MIN (OFF) | @ CIN | PHI | @ CLE |
| Seth Lugo | @ MIN | LAA | PHI | @ HOU |
| Cole Ragans | @ MIN | LAA | @ CLE (DH) | @ HOU |
| Michael Lorenzen | @ CIN (OFF) | LAA | @ CLE (DH) | @ HOU |
| Michael Wacha | @ CIN | PHI (OFF) | @ CLE | CLE |
- Since the Royals acquired him, Michael Lorenzen has thrown 10 innings across two starts where he’s allowed 4 earned runs and struck out 8.
Twins’ Expected Starters
| MIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pablo López | KCR | @ TEX | STL | ATL |
| ??? | KCR | @ TEX | STL | TOR (OFF) |
| Bailey Ober | KCR | @ SDP | STL | TOR |
| Simeon Woods Richardson | @ TEX | @ SDP | ATL | TOR |
| David Festa | @ TEX | @ SDP | ATL | @ TBR |
- Joe Ryan’s season might be over after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 teres major strain. That’s a big loss for the Twins rotation.
AL West
Astros’ Expected Starters
| HOU | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Framber Valdez | @ TBR | CWS | @ BAL | @ PHI |
| Yusei Kikuchi | @ TBR | BOS | @ BAL | KCR |
| Ronel Blanco | @ TBR | BOS | @ BAL | KCR |
| Spencer Arrighetti | CWS (OFF) | BOS | @ PHI | KCR |
| Hunter Brown | CWS | @ BAL | @ PHI | KCR |
- After he cost the Astros a hefty price prospect package, Yusei Kikuchi has posted a 3.27 ERA with 19 strikeouts through 11 innings.
Angels’ Expected Starters
| LAA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davis Daniel | TOR | ATL | @ TOR | @ DET |
| Carson Fulmer | TOR | @ KCR | @ TOR | SEA |
| Tyler Anderson | TOR | @ KCR | @ TOR | SEA |
| José Soriano | ATL (OFF) | @ KCR | @ DET (OFF) | SEA |
| Griffin Canning | ATL | @ TOR | @ DET | LAD (OFF) |
- It seemed like Reid Detmers was nearing a return to form, however August hasn’t been kind to him with back to back outings surrendering 6 runs.
Athletics’ Expected Starters
| OAK | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Stripling | @ NYM (OFF) | TBR | MIL | @ TEX |
| Joey Estes | @ NYM | TBR | MIL | @ TEX |
| Mitch Spence | @ NYM | TBR | @ CIN (OFF) | @ TEX |
| Osvaldo Bido | SFG (OFF) | TBR | @ CIN | SEA |
| JP Sears | SFG | MIL | @ CIN | SEA |
- It’s been a solid start to the month for Joey Estes, who has thrown 11 innings and surrendered 4 runs while striking out 10 batters across two starts.
Mariners’ Expected Starters
| SEA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Kirby | @ DET (OFF) | @ PIT | SFG | @ LAA (OFF) |
| Bryan Woo | @ DET | @ LAD | SFG | @ LAA |
| Bryce Miller | @ DET | @ LAD | TBR | @ LAA |
| Logan Gilbert | @ PIT | @ LAD | TBR | @ OAK |
| Luis Castillo | @ PIT | SFG (OFF) | TBR | @ OAK |
- Logan Gilbert enters this week fresh off of throwing 7 shutout innings while striking out 6 and walking 1 against the Mets.
Rangers’ Expected Starters
| TEX | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Mahle | @ BOS | MIN | @ CLE | OAK |
| Jose Urena | @ BOS | PIT | @ CLE | OAK |
| Cody Bradford | @ BOS | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nathan Eovaldi | MIN | PIT | @ CWS | OAK |
| Max Scherzer | MIN | PIT | @ CWS | NYY |
| Andrew Heaney | MIN | @ CLE (OFF) | @ CWS | NYY |
- Per our projections, Cody Bradford will start against the Red Sox before the Rangers return to a 5-man rotation.
NL East
Atlanta Expected Starters
| ATL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Sale | @ SFG | @ LAA | WSN | @ MIN |
| Charlie Morton | @ SFG | @ LAA | WSN | @ PHI |
| Reynaldo López | @ SFG (SPOT) | PHI | WSN | @ PHI |
| Max Fried | @ SFG | PHI | @ MIN | @ PHI |
| Spencer Schwellenbach | @ LAA | PHI | @ MIN | @ PHI |
-
- Reynaldo López will be back next week, per our projections. Grant Holmes will get the start in the meantime.
- Spencer Schwellenbach is looking to keep his momentum going after back to back double digit strikeout outings.
Marlins’ Expected Starters
| MIA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valente Bellozo | @ PHI (OFF) | ARI | CHC | @ SFG |
| Kyle Tyler | @ PHI | ARI | @ COL | @ SFG |
| Edward Cabrera | @ NYM (OFF) | ARI | @ COL | @ SFG |
| Roddery Muñoz | @ NYM | CHC | @ COL | WSN (OFF) |
| Max Meyer | @ NYM | CHC | @ COL | WSN |
- The much anticipated return for Max Meyer isn’t going according to plan. He’s surrendered 10 earned runs over his last 9 innings of work.
Mets’ Expected Starters
| NYM | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Blackburn | OAK (OFF) | MIA | @ SDP | @ ARI |
| David Peterson | OAK | BAL | @ SDP | @ CWS |
| Jose Quintana | OAK | BAL | @ SDP | @ CWS |
| Sean Manaea | MIA | BAL | @ ARI (OFF) | @ CWS |
| Luis Severino | MIA | @ SDP | @ ARI | BOS |
- The trade for Paul Blackburn is looking good early on for the Mets as he posted a 1.50 ERA over 12 innings with 12 strikeouts and 4 walks.
Phillies’ Expected Starters
| PHI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taijuan Walker | MIA (OFF) | @ ATL (OFF) | @ KCR | ATL |
| Ranger Suárez | MIA (SPOT) | @ ATL | HOU | ATL |
| Zack Wheeler | WSN | @ ATL | HOU | ATL |
| Aaron Nola | WSN | @ KCR | HOU | @ TOR (OFF) |
| Cristopher Sánchez | WSN | @ KCR | ATL | @ TOR |
- Per our projections, Tyler Phillips will be getting the start against the Marlins before Ranger Suárez returns.
Nationals’ Expected Starters
| WSN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Irvin | @ BAL (OFF) | @ PHI | @ ATL | CHC |
| DJ Herz | @ BAL | COL (OFF) | @ ATL | CHC |
| Mitchell Parker | @ PHI | COL | NYY | CHC |
| Patrick Corbin | @ PHI | COL | NYY | @ MIA (OFF) |
| MacKenzie Gore | @ PHI | @ ATL | NYY | @ MIA |
- This is a rough week for this starting rotation, drawing the Baltimore and Philadelphia offenses.
NL Central
Cubs’ Expected Starters
| CHC | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Hendricks | @ CLE (OFF) | TOR | @ MIA | @ WSN |
| Shota Imanaga | @ CLE | DET (OFF) | @ MIA | @ WSN |
| Javier Assad | @ CLE | DET | @ PIT | @ WSN |
| Jameson Taillon | TOR (OFF) | DET | @ PIT | PIT |
| Justin Steele | TOR | @ MIA | @ PIT | PIT |
- Shota Imanaga is coming off of one of his best starts, going 7 innings against the Twins while striking out 10 batters and surrendering a pair of runs.
Reds’ Expected Starters
| CIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Abbott | STL | KCR | @ PIT | OAK |
| Hunter Greene | STL | @ TOR | @ PIT | MIL (DH) |
| Carson Spiers | STL | @ TOR | @ PIT | MIL (DH) |
| Nick Martinez | KCR (OFF) | @ TOR | OAK | MIL |
| Nick Lodolo | KCR | @ PIT | OAK | MIL |
- After giving up 8 runs to the Cubs, Nick Lodolo bounced back well by surrendering only a pair of runs and punching out 7 batters against the Marlins.
Brewers’ Expected Starters
| MIL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Rea | LAD | CLE | @ OAK | SFG |
| Freddy Peralta | LAD | CLE | @ OAK | @ CIN (DH) |
| Frankie Montas | LAD | @ STL (OFF) | @ OAK | @ CIN (DH) |
| Aaron Civale | LAD | @ STL | SFG (OFF) | @ CIN |
| Tobias Myers | CLE | @ STL | SFG | @ CIN |
- Since joining the Brewers, Frankie Montas has thrown 9 innings with 12 strikeouts and 4 walks over 2 starts.
Pirates’ Expected Starters
| PIT | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Gonzales | @ SDP | SEA | CIN | CHC |
| Luis Ortiz | @ SDP | @ TEX | CIN | @ CLE |
| Mitch Keller | @ SDP | @ TEX | CIN | @ CLE |
| Paul Skenes | SEA (OFF) | @ TEX | CHC | @ CLE |
| Bailey Falter | SEA | CIN | CHC | @ CHC |
- Jared Jones had his first rehab start just a few days ago, so he’s on the road back.
Cardinals’ Expected Starters
| STL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonny Gray | @ CIN (OFF) | LAD | @ MIN | SDP |
| Erick Fedde | @ CIN | MIL (OFF) | @ MIN | @ NYY |
| Kyle Gibson | @ CIN | MIL | SDP | @ NYY |
| Miles Mikolas | LAD (OFF) | MIL | SDP | @ NYY |
| Lance Lynn | LAD | @ MIN | SDP | @ MIL |
- After a 5-run outing in his Cardinals debut, Erick Fedde bounced back to give up only a single run and strike out 6 over 5 innings in his most recent outing.
NL West
DBacks’ Expected Starters
| ARI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Pfaadt | COL | @ MIA | NYM (OFF) | LAD |
| Eduardo Rodriguez | COL | @ MIA | NYM | @ SFG |
| Jordan Montgomery | COL | @ MIA | NYM | @ SFG |
| Ryne Nelson | @ TBR (OFF) | @ BOS (OFF) | LAD | @ SFG |
| Zac Gallen | @ TBR | @ BOS | LAD | @ HOU |
| Merrill Kelly | @ TBR | @ BOS | LAD | @ HOU |
- This is a streamable 6-man rotation this week with a lot of green offenses in the near future.
Rockies’ Expected Starters
| COL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Davis | @ ARI | SDP | @ NYY | MIA |
| Austin Gomber | @ ARI | @ WSN (OFF) | @ NYY | BAL |
| Tanner Gordon | @ ARI | @ WSN | MIA | BAL |
| Cal Quantrill | SDP (OFF) | @ WSN | MIA | BAL |
| Kyle Freelend | SDP | @ NYY | MIA | @ ATL (OFF) |
- Noah Davis is slated to start Monday, per our projections, but he did just throw 2.1 innings on Saturday.
Dodgers’ Expected Starters
| LAD | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw | @ MIL | @ STL | TBR | @ ARI |
| Gavin Stone | @ MIL | SEA | BAL | @ ARI |
| Walker Buehler | @ MIL | SEA | BAL | @ LAA |
| Jack Flaherty | @ MIL | SEA | BAL | @ LAA |
| River Ryan | @ STL | TBR (OFF) | @ ARI | CLE (OFF) |
| Tyler Glasnow | @ STL | TBR | @ ARI | CLE |
- After a last second trade, Jack Flaherty found himself on the Dodgers. Since then he’s struck out 17 and walked 2 through 11.2 innings of work.
Padres’ Expected Starters
| SDP | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Musgrove | PIT | @ COL | NYM | @ STL |
| Michael King | PIT | MIN | NYM | @ STL |
| ??? | PIT | MIN | NYM | @ TBR |
| Matt Waldron | @ COL (OFF) | MIN | @ STL | @ TBR |
| Dylan Cease | @ COL | NYM | @ STL | @ TBR |
- Randy Vasquez is still in our projections, but he was optioned to Triple-A late last week. Keep an eye out for who will step into that rotation spot.
Giants’ Expected Starters
| SFG | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Snell | ATL | @ OAK | @ SEA | MIA |
| Kyle Harrison | ATL | CHW | @ SEA | MIA |
| Robbie Ray | ATL | CHW | @ MIL (OFF) | MIA |
| Logan Webb | ATL | CHW | @ MIL | ARI (OFF) |
| Hayden Birdsong | @ OAK (OFF) | @ SEA (OFF) | @ MIL | ARI |
- Hayden Birdsong is back in the big leagues and his return did not go as well as what he did prior to his quick trip to the minors. He only lasted 2 innings and gave up 7 runs while striking out 1.