Happy Trade Deadline! There is going to be plenty of shuffling around with these rotations over the next few days. Things change a lot normally, but the changes are going to come fast and furious prior to the deadline. We’ve already seen several pitchers on the move with more on the horizon.
Before diving in, take a look at the handy glossary.
(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 than the mainstay in the rotation. Notes will explain.
??? represents an unclear rotational spot, and the notes will explain options.
(ASB) is the game following the All-Star break.
Finally, let’s take a look at Nick’s most recent hitting rankings.
Nick’s Loose Team Offense Rankings (Updated 7/19)
| Top | Solid | Average | Weak | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | @CIN | ARI | CHC | CHW |
| BAL | CLE | BOS | vs. CIN | vs. COL |
| HOU | @COL | MIN | DET | LAA |
| LAD | MIL | NYM | SFG | MIA |
| NYY | SDP | TBR | STL | OAK |
| PHI | TEX | TOR | WSN | PIT |
| KCR | SEA |
AL East
Orioles’ Expected Starters
| BAL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Eflin | TOR (DH) | @ CLE | @ TOR | WSN |
| Cade Povich | TOR (DH) | @ CLE | @ TBR | BOS |
| Corbin Burnes | TOR | @ CLE | @ TBR | BOS |
| Grayson Rodriguez | TOR | @ TOR (OFF) | @ TBR | BOS |
| Dean Kremer | @ CLE | @ TOR | WSN (OFF) | BOS |
- The Orioles went out and traded for Zach Eflin, who is set to make his debut for his new team this week.
Red Sox Expected Starters
| BOS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Criswell | SEA | @ TEX | HOU (OFF) | TEX |
| Nick Pivetta | SEA | @ TEX | HOU | @ BAL |
| Brayan Bello | SEA | @ KCR | HOU | @ BAL |
| Kutter Crawford | SEA | @ KCR | TEX | @ BAL |
| Tanner Houck | @ TEX (OFF) | @ KCR | TEX | @ BAL |
- James Paxton is not in our projections right now, but he was traded to Boston. He’s expected to make his debut on Tuesday against Seattle, so that could mean the order of this rotation shifts a little bit.
Yankees’ Expected Starters
| NYY | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Gil | @ PHI | TOR | TEX | @ DET |
| Gerrit Cole | @ PHI | @ LAA (OFF) | TEX | @ DET |
| Nestor Cortes | @ PHI | @ LAA | @ CWS | @ DET |
| Marcus Stroman | TOR (OFF) | @ LAA | @ CWS | CLE (OFF) |
| Carlos Rodón | TOR | TEX | @ CWS | CLE |
- This group enters the week in the bottom third of the league in terms of fWAR.
Rays’ Expected Starters
| TBR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Springs | MIA (OFF) | @ STL (OFF) | BAL | ARI |
| Taj Bradley | MIA | @ STL | HOU | ARI |
| ??? | @ HOU (OFF) | @ STL | HOU | @ OAK |
| Shane Baz | @ HOU | BAL | HOU | @ OAK |
| Zack Littell | @ HOU | BAL | ARI (OFF) | @ OAK |
- The Rays are wheeling and also dealing. Trades galore, and it’s super interesting. The question mark is where our projections had Eflin slotted. In theory, Ryan Pepiot takes that spot, but he got an infection on his knee after a bug bite.
Blue Jays’ Expected Starters
| TOR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Berríos | @ BAL (DH) (SPOT) | @ NYY | OAK | @ LAA |
| Yariel Rodríguez | @ BAL (DH) | @ NYY | OAK | @ CHC |
| Chris Bassitt | @ BAL | BAL (OFF) | OAK | @ CHC |
| Yusei Kikuchi | @ BAL | BAL | @ LAA | @ CHC |
| Kevin Gausman | @ NYY (OFF) | BAL | @ LAA | CIN |
- Our projections have Bowden Francis pitching the first game in the doubleheader before things return to the status quo for the Blue Jays rotation.
AL Central
White Sox Expected Starters
| CWS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Flexen | KCR | @ MIN | CHC | @ HOU |
| Jonathan Cannon | KCR | @ OAK | NYY (OFF) | @ HOU |
| Drew Thorpe | KCR | @ OAK | NYY | @ SFG |
| Erick Fedde | @ MIN (OFF) | @ OAK | NYY | @ SFG |
| Garrett Crochet | @ MIN | CHC (OFF) | @ HOU (OFF) | @ SFG |
- Will Garrett Crochet be gone before the deadline? There’s been some smoke, but only time will tell.
Guardians’ Expected Starters
| CLE | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanner Bibee | @ DET | BAL | @ MIN (DH) | CHC |
| Gavin Williams | @ DET | ARI | @ MIN | @ MIL (OFF) |
| Ben Lively | BAL (OFF) | ARI | @ MIN | @ MIL |
| Carlos Carrasco | BAL | ARI | CHC | @ MIL |
| Xzavion Curry | BAL | @ MIN (DH) (OFF) | CHC | @ NYY (OFF) |
- Xzavion Curry was scheduled to start this previous Sunday, but instead, it was Joey Cantillo. He may not be in the rotation long-term.
Tigers’ Expected Starters
| DET | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Flaherty | CLE | KCR | @ SFG | NYY |
| Kenta Maeda | CLE | @ SEA (OFF) | @ SFG | NYY |
| Keider Montero | KCR | @ SEA | SEA (OFF) | NYY |
| Tarik Skubal | KCR | @ SEA | SEA | @ CHC (OFF) |
| Casey Mize | KCR | @ SFG | SEA | @ CHC |
- Jack Flaherty is in this rotation right now, but by the end of the week, that could be different. His resurgence has led to him being a potential trade chip this deadline.
Royals’ Expected Starters
| KCR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alec Marsh | @ CWS | @ DET | STL (OFF) | @ CIN (OFF) |
| Michael Wacha | @ CWS | @ DET | STL | @ CIN |
| Brady Singer | @ CWS | BOS | @ MIN (OFF) | @ CIN |
| Seth Lugo | @ DET | BOS | @ MIN | LAA |
| Cole Ragans | @ DET | BOS | @ MIN | LAA |
- Between the White Sox and Tigers this rotation, who has been worth 10.7 fWAR entering the week (3rd highest in the league), has good matchups ahead this week.
Twins’ Expected Starters
| MIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simeon Woods-Richardson | @ NYM | CWS | CLE (DH) | KCR |
| Louie Varland | @ NYM | @ CHC | CLE | @ TEX |
| Pablo López | @ NYM | @ CHC | CLE | @ TEX |
| Joe Ryan | CWS (OFF) | @ CHC | KCR | @ TEX |
| Bailey Ober | CWS | CLE (DH) (OFF) | KCR | @ SDP |
- Our projections have Louie Varland in the rotation, though no official move has been made.
AL West
Astros’ Expected Starters
| HOU | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Arrighetti | PIT (SPOT) | TBR | @ BOS | CWS (OFF) |
| Hunter Brown | PIT | @ TEX | @ BOS | CWS |
| Justin Verlander | PIT | @ TEX | @ TBR | CWS |
| Framber Valdez | TBR (OFF) | @ TEX | @ TBR | BOS |
| Ronel Blanco | TBR | @ BOS (OFF) | @ TBR | BOS |
- Per our projections, Jake Bloss is slated to start against the Pirates before Spencer Arrighetti steps into that rotation spot.
Angels’ Expected Starters
| LAA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffin Canning | COL (OFF) | NYM | @ WSN | ATL (OFF) |
| Kenny Rosenberg | COL | @ NYY | @ WSN | ATL |
| Carson Fulmer | COL | @ NYY | TOR | ATL |
| Tyler Anderson | NYM | @ NYY | TOR | @ KCR |
| José Soriano | NYM | @ WSN | TOR | @ KCR |
- This doesn’t have anything to do with this rotation, but the Angels just added two really good pitching prospects in George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri by trading Carlos Estévez.
Athletics’ Expected Starters
| OAK | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP Sears | @ SFG (OFF) | CWS | @ TOR | SFG |
| Ross Stripling | @ SFG | CWS | @ NYM (OFF) | TBR |
| Paul Blackburn | LAD (OFF) | CWS | @ NYM | TBR |
| Mitch Spence | LAD | @ TOR (OFF) | @ NYM | TBR |
| ??? | LAD | @ TOR | SFG | TBR |
- Hogan Harris was recently optioned, clearing a path for Joey Estes to potentially come back from the bullpen. Osvaldo Bido is another candidate for the spot.
Mariners’ Expected Starters
| SEA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan Gilbert | @ BOS | PHI | NYM | @ PIT |
| Bryce Miller | @ BOS | DET (OFF) | NYM | @ PIT |
| Luis Castillo | @ BOS | DET | @ DET (OFF) | @ PIT |
| George Kirby | PHI (OFF) | DET | @ DET | @ LAD |
| Bryan Woo | PHI | NYM | @ DET | @ LAD |
- The Mariners have certainly been buying at the deadline to try and improve their lineup and bullpen. Their rotation doesn’t need any help.
Rangers’ Expected Starters
| TEX | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Eovaldi | @ STL | BOS | @ NYY | MIN |
| Max Scherzer | @ STL | HOU | @ NYY | MIN |
| Andrew Heaney | @ STL | HOU | @ BOS | MIN |
| Michael Lorenzen | BOS (OFF) | HOU | @ BOS | MIN |
| Jon Gray | BOS | @ NYY (OFF) | @ BOS | PIT |
- There was a lot of talk about all the selling the Rangers were willing to do earlier this month. The smoke seems to have all but disappeared and so far all they’ve done is add Carson Kelly. We’ll see what happens before the deadline.
NL East
Atlanta Expected Starters
| ATL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Vines | @ MIL | MIA | @ COL | @ SFG |
| Chris Sale | @ MIL | MIL (OFF) | @ COL | @ LAA |
| Charlie Morton | MIA | MIL | @ SFG | @ LAA |
| Spencer Schwellenbach | MIA | MIL | @ SFG | @ LAA |
| ??? | MIA | @ COL | @ SFG | PHI (OFF) |
- News came out on Sunday that Reynaldo López is undergoing an MRI for forearm tightness.
Marlins’ Expected Starters
| MIA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Cabrera | @ TBR (OFF) | @ ATL | SDP | @ NYM (OFF) |
| Roddery Muñoz | @ TBR | CIN | SDP | @ NYM |
| Trevor Rogers | @ ATL | CIN | SDP | @ NYM |
| Max Meyer | @ ATL | CIN | @ PHI (OFF) | ARI |
| Kyle Tyler | @ ATL | CIN | @ PHI | ARI |
- Max Meyer threw 4 innings and struck out 3 while walking 2 and giving up 3 ER against the Brewers in his return to the majors.
Mets’ Expected Starters
| NYM | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Quintana | MIN | @ LAA | @ SEA | OAK |
| Sean Manaea | MIN | @ STL | @ SEA | MIA |
| Luis Severino | MIN | @ COL | @ SEA | MIA |
| Tylor Megill | @ LAA (OFF) | @ COL | OAK (OFF) | MIA |
| David Peterson | @ LAA | @ COL | OAK | BAL |
- Only recently activated from the IL, it seems Kodai Senga is probably going to miss the rest of the season with a calf strain.
Phillies’ Expected Starters
| PHI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zack Wheeler | NYY | @ SEA | @ ARI | WSN |
| Aaron Nola | NYY | @ LAD | @ ARI | WSN |
| Cristopher Sánchez | NYY | @ LAD | @ ARI | WSN |
| Taijuan Walker | @ SEA (OFF) | @ LAD | MIA (OFF) | WSN |
| Ranger Suárez | @ SEA | @ ARI | MIA | @ ATL (OFF) |
- This rotation is still just absolutely dominating. They enter the week with a 12.9 fWAR, which is 1.3 fWAR higher than the rotation in second place.
Nationals’ Expected Starters
| WSN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Parker | @ ARI | MIL | LAA | @ PHI |
| Patrick Corbin | @ ARI | SFG | LAA | @ PHI |
| MacKenzie Gore | @ ARI | SFG | LAA | @ PHI |
| Jake Irvin | MIL (OFF) | SFG | @ BAL (OFF) | @ PHI |
| DJ Herz | MIL | SFG | @ BAL | COL (OFF) |
- It was last year’s trade deadline when the Nationals acquired DJ Herz from the Cubs, and now he’s 41.1 innings into his MLB career with 53 strikeouts.
NL Central
Cubs’ Expected Starters
| CHC | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jameson Taillon | @ CIN | STL | @ CWS (OFF) | TOR (OFF) |
| Justin Steele | @ CIN | STL | @ CWS | TOR |
| Kyle Hendricks | @ CIN | MIN | @ CLE (OFF) | TOR |
| Shota Imanaga | STL | MIN | @ CLE | DET (OFF) |
| Javier Assad | STL | MIN | @ CLE | DET |
- There are some rumors surrounding Jameson Taillon, so he may be on the move this deadline.
Reds’ Expected Starters
| CIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankie Montas | CHC | @ SFG | @ MIL | STL |
| Carson Spiers | CHC | @ MIA | @ MIL | KCR (OFF) |
| Nick Lodolo | CHC | @ MIA | @ MIL | KCR |
| Andrew Abbott | @ SFG (OFF) | @ MIA | STL | KCR |
| Hunter Greene | @ SFG | @ MIA | STL | @ TOR |
- Hunter Greene has really taken a step forward this year. He’s thrown 124.1 innings with 138 strikeouts and a 2.97 ERA so far this season.
Brewers’ Expected Starters
| MIL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Rea | ATL | @ WSN | CIN | LAD |
| Joe Ross | ATL | @ ATL (OFF) | CIN | CLE |
| Freddy Peralta | ATL | @ ATL | LAD | CLE |
| Aaron Civale | @ WSN (OFF) | @ ATL | LAD | CLE |
| Tobias Myers | @ WSN | CIN | LAD | @ STL (OFF) |
- Aaron Civale has thrown 21 innings since being traded to Milwaukee with a 4.29 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
Pirates’ Expected Starters
| PIT | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Skenes | @ HOU | ARI | @ LAD | SEA |
| Martín Pérez | @ HOU | SDP (OFF) | @ LAD | SEA |
| Luis Ortiz | @ HOU | SDP | @ SDP | SEA |
| Marco Gonzales | ARI (OFF) | SDP | @ SDP | @ TEX |
| Mitch Keller | ARI | @ LAD | @ SDP | @ TEX |
- Jared Jones is throwing bullpens, so he’s starting the journey back from his injury.
Cardinals’ Expected Starters
| STL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Pallante | TEX | @ CHC | TBR | @ CIN |
| Lance Lynn | TEX | @ CHC | @ KCR | LAD (OFF) |
| Sonny Gray | TEX | NYM | @ KCR | LAD |
| Kyle Gibson | @ CHC | TBR | @ CIN (OFF) | LAD |
| Miles Mikolas | @ CHC | TBR | @ CIN | MIL (OFF) |
- It really seems like the Cardinals should be in the market for a starting pitcher. They were connected to Zach Eflin before Baltimore traded for him.
NL West
DBacks’ Expected Starters
| ARI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Montgomery | WSN | @ PIT | PHI | COL |
| Ryne Nelson | WSN | @ CLE | PHI | @ TBR (OFF) |
| Zac Gallen | WSN | @ CLE | PHI | @ TBR |
| Brandon Pfaadt | @ PIT (OFF) | @ CLE | COL | @ TBR |
| Yilber Diaz | @ PIT | PHI | COL | @ MIA |
- Yilber Diaz has thrown 20 innings in the majors with a 4.05 ERA with 14 strikeouts. The 23-year-old enters the week off his best outing, throwing 5 shutout innings against the Pirates while striking out 7. He also walked 4.
Rockies’ Expected Starters
| COL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ty Blach | @ LAA (OFF) | @ SDP | ATL | SDP (OFF) |
| Cal Quantrill | @ LAA | NYM (OFF) | ATL | SDP |
| Kyle Freeland | @ LAA | NYM | @ ARI | SDP |
| Ryan Feltner | @ SDP | NYM | @ ARI | @ WSN (OFF) |
| Austin Gomber | @ SDP | ATL | @ ARI | @ WSN |
- Ryan Feltner has been good as of late. Over his last two starts, he’s thrown 13 innings with 12 strikeouts and 3 ER.
Dodgers’ Expected Starters
| LAD | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Glasnow | @ SDP (OFF) | PHI | PIT | @ STL |
| Clayton Kershaw | @ SDP | PHI | @ MIL | @ STL |
| Gavin Stone | @ OAK (OFF) | PHI | @ MIL | @ STL |
| Justin Wrobleski | @ OAK | PIT (OFF) | @ MIL | SEA |
| River Ryan | @ OAK | PIT | @ MIL | SEA |
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to start throwing bullpens soon, so he’s starting the road back.
Padres’ Expected Starters
| SDP | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Waldron | LAD | @ PIT (OFF) | @ MIA | @ COL |
| Dylan Cease | LAD | @ PIT | PIT | @ COL |
| ??? | COL (OFF) | @ PIT | PIT | MIN |
| Michael King | COL | @ MIA | PIT | MIN |
| Randy Vasquez | COL | @ MIA | @ COL | MIN |
- Our projections have Adam Mazur in the spot with the question marks, but he was recently optioned to Triple-A.
Giants’ Expected Starters
| SFG | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbie Ray | OAK (OFF) | @ WSN | DET | ATL |
| Alex Cobb | OAK | @ WSN | DET | @ OAK (OFF) |
| Logan Webb | @ CIN (OFF) | @ WSN | ATL | @ OAK |
| Kyle Harrison | @ CIN | @ WSN | ATL | CWS |
| Blake Snell | @ CIN | DET | ATL | CWS |
- Notably missing from this rotation is Jordan Hicks who is transitioning to a bullpen role.