As we near September we could start seeing more and more young arms finding their way to big league rosters. This is a time to stay vigilant to changes that occur. Luis Severino gets a shoutout this week for his complete game shutout last week.
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 8/12)
AL East
Orioles’ Expected Starters
- Zach Eflin has started really well with his new team, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.13 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 2 walks through his first 25.1 innings.
Red Sox Expected Starters
- After just 11 innings with his new team, James Paxton’s season is likely over after he finds himself on the IL.
Yankees’ Expected Starters
- Marcus Stroman is coming off of a start where he threw 6 shutout innings against the Tigers. He only allowed 1 earned run in his last two starts combined.
Rays’ Expected Starters
- According to our projections Tyler Alexander will be replacing Drew Rasmussen in the Rays rotation for Friday’s game against the Dodgers.
Blue Jays’ Expected Starters
- Bowden Francis continues to put up good performances, going 7 innings and giving up just one run while striking out 8 against the Angels.
AL Central
White Sox Expected Starters
- Over his last two starts Davis Martin has thrown 11.2 innings with 9 strikeouts and 4 walks while giving up just 1 run.
Guardians’ Expected Starters
- Matthew Boyd looked very solid in his debut with the Guardians, throwing 5.1 innings and striking out 6 and surrendering only 1 run.
Tigers’ Expected Starters
- Keider Montero turned in a really good outing against the Yankees. He went 5 shutout innings and struck out 5.
Royals’ Expected Starters
- After surrendering 7 runs to the Twins in his last start, Seth Lugo will be looking for a better outcome against the Angels.
Twins’ Expected Starters
- In his MLB debut, Zebby Matthews tossed 5 innings and surrendered a pair of runs while striking out 5.
AL West
Astros’ Expected Starters
- The reports are saying that Justin Verlander will return this week. The 41-year-old righty has registered 51 strikeouts with a 3.95 ERA in 57 innings when healthy this year.
Angels’ Expected Starters
- José Soriano is on the IL and our projections have Reid Detmers returning to the rotation. At the time of writing there’s no news about that. Demers did strike out 11 batters in his most recent outing in Triple-A.
Athletics’ Expected Starters
- In his return to the majors Joe Boyle gave up 4 runs and walked 3 while striking out 6 batters across 4 innings.
Mariners’ Expected Starters
- Bryan Woo has kicked things up a notch lately, going 7 shutout innings in two of his last three starts.
Rangers’ Expected Starters
- This has been a rough season for Max Scherzer whose been limited to just 39.1 innings this year. Scherzer has said he is still hoping to pitch next season.
NL East
Atlanta Expected Starters
- So far in August, Chris Sale has thrown 17.2 innings with a 2.04 ERA with 32 strikeouts. He’s stuck out double-digit batters in each of his 3 starts.
Marlins’ Expected Starters
- Adam Oller will be joining the Marlins this week. Through 25 innings with Miami’s Triple-A affiliate, Oller struck out 24 and walked 7 with a 2.88 ERA.
Mets’ Expected Starters
- Luis Severino threw a complete game shutout while striking out 8 batters and walking 1 against the Marlins. The Padres will provide a tougher test this week, but Severino has been solid all year.
Phillies’ Expected Starters
- Since returning to the Phillies Taijuan Walker has thrown 8.2 innings and surrendered 6 ER with 8 strikeouts and 6 walks.
Nationals’ Expected Starters
- Mitchell Parker had thrown back to back outings with 6+ shutout innings. The Phillies got to him in his most recent outing to the tune of 9 ER in 3 innings, though he did strike out 6 batters.
NL Central
Cubs’ Expected Starters
- A Jordan Wicks injury update dropped on Sunday and it’s that he’ll make two more rehab starts before, presumably, rejoining the Cubs.
Reds’ Expected Starters
- Hunter Greene is on the 15-day IL with elbow soreness. Our projections have Julian Aguiar receiving starts in Greene’s absence.
Brewers’ Expected Starters
- In the month of August Tobias Myers has thrown 18 innings with 12 strikeouts and 2 walks while surrendering just 3 runs.
Pirates’ Expected Starters
- The Pirates may not be without Jared Jones much longer, who will make at least one more rehab start.
Cardinals’ Expected Starters
- It appears Lance Lynn is nearing a return to the Cardinals rotation. Per our projections, that should be this week.
NL West
DBacks’ Expected Starters
- Eduardo Rodriguez is now 2 starts into his DBacks career and he’s posted a 5.06 ERA with 6 strikeouts across his first 10 innings.
Rockies’ Expected Starters
- Our projections have Bradley Blalock getting replaced by Ryan Feltner this week if he returns from the IL.
Dodgers’ Expected Starters
- Following Tyler Glasnow’s injury Bobby Miller made his return to the Dodgers organization by striking out 1 batter and allowing 4 runs across 4.2 innings.
Padres’ Expected Starters
- Since joining the Padres Martín Pérez has been on fire, throwing 18.1 innings and posting a 1.96 ERA while striking out 21 batters and walking just 3.
Giants’ Expected Starters
- It seems Hayden Birdsong might be finding his groove again, striking out 5 batters and surrendering just a single run across 4.2 innings against the Athletics.