It took longer than some might’ve guessed, but Paul Skenes is officially an MLB pitcher. It’s always exciting when one of the top pitching prospects makes his debut, but it’s even more exciting when that prospect regularly touches triple digits. Skenes and Jared Jones form an extremely fun duo at the top of that rotation in Pittsburgh.
With another week in the books, don’t forget this list of helpful terms as you scroll through this weeks expected starting pitching matchups.
(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.
Before jumping in, here are the most recent offense rankings.
Nick’s Loose Team Offense Rankings (Updated 5/6)
| Top | Solid | Average | Weak | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | @CIN | ARI | vs. BOS | CHW |
| BAL | CLE | CHC | vs. CIN | vs. COL |
| @BOS | MIN | @COL | DET | MIA |
| HOU | PHI | KCR | OAK | LAA |
| LAD | SDP | MIL | NYM | PIT |
| NYY | SEA | TBR | SFG | |
| TEX | TOR | WSN | STL |
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AL East
Orioles’ Expected Starters
| BAL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Burnes | TOR | SEA | @ CWS | BOS |
| Kyle Bradish | TOR | @ STL | @ CWS | TBR (OFF) |
| Cole Irvin | TOR | @ STL | @ CWS | TBR |
| John Means | SEA (OFF) | @ STL | BOS | TBR |
| Dean Kremer | SEA | @ CWS | BOS | @ TOR |
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- Kyle Bradish has had a pair of starts against the Nationals and Yankees. He’s come back from his injury throwing very well.
Red Sox Expected Starters
| BOS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kutter Crawford | TBR | @ STL | MIL (OFF) | @ BAL |
| Nick Pivetta | TBR | @ STL | MIL | DET |
| Tanner Houck | TBR | @ TBR | MIL | DET |
| Cooper Criswell | TBR | @ TBR | @ BAL | DET |
| Brayan Bello | @ STL | @ TBR | @ BAL | DET |
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- Things are returning to normal in the Red Sox rotation. Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta are back, and Garrett Whitlock should be starting his journey back soon.
Yankees’ Expected Starters
| NYY | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Rodón | @ MIN (OFF) | CWS | @ SDP | @ LAA |
| Marcus Stroman | @ MIN | SEA | @ SDP | @ SFG |
| Clarke Schmidt | @ MIN | SEA | @ SDP | @ SFG |
| Nestor Cortes | CWS | SEA | @ LAA (OFF) | @ SFG |
| Luis Gil | CWS | SEA | @ LAA | MIN (OFF) |
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- As a whole this has been one of the better rotations this year, so an upcoming series against the White Sox should yield some good results.
Rays’ Expected Starters
| TBR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Eflin | @ BOS | @ TOR | KCR (OFF) | OAK |
| Aaron Civale | @ BOS | @ TOR | KCR | @ BAL |
| Taj Bradley | @ BOS | BOS | KCR | @ BAL |
| Zack Littell | @ BOS | BOS | OAK (OFF) | @ BAL |
| Tyler Alexander | @ TOR | BOS | OAK | @ MIA (OFF) |
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- It shouldn’t be long for Ryan Pepiot, who is already throwing pitches off a mound.
Blue Jays’ Expected Starters
| TOR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Berríos | @ BAL | TBR | @ DET | @ CWS |
| Chris Bassitt | @ BAL | CWS | @ DET | PIT (OFF) |
| Yusei Kikuchi | @ BAL | CWS | @ DET | PIT |
| Kevin Gausman | TBR (OFF) | CWS | @ CWS | PIT |
| Alek Manoah | TBR | @ DET | @ CWS | BAL |
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- Things didn’t go so well for Alek Manoah against the Nationals, but he bounced back for a good outing against the Twins. Even with his rotation spot slated for a lot of green coming up, who knows what he’s going to give you?
AL Central
White Sox Expected Starters
| CWS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Flexen | WSH | @ NYY | BAL | TOR |
| Erick Fedde | WSH | @ TOR | BAL | @ MIL (OFF) |
| Garrett Crochet | WSH | @ TOR | BAL | @ MIL |
| Mike Clevinger | @ NYY (OFF) | @ TOR | TOR | @ MIL |
| Michael Soroka | @ NYY | BAL | TOR | @ CHC (OFF) |
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- This rotation has given up the fifth-most runs of any pitching staff in the league. Eventually the prospects should get some extended run.
Guardians’ Expected Starters
| CLE | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanner Bibee | @ TEX | MIN | @ LAA | WSH (OFF) |
| Ben Lively | @ TEX | NYM | @ LAA | WSH |
| Carlos Carrasco | @ TEX | NYM | @ COL | WSH |
| Triston McKenzie | MIN (OFF) | NYM | @ COL | KCR (OFF) |
| Logan Allen | MIN | @ LAA (OFF) | @ COL | KCR |
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- The Guardians are usually known for their pitching, but at time of writing their starters are a bottom 10 group in ERA.
Tigers’ Expected Starters
| DET | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Manning | MIA | @ ARI | TOR | @ BOS |
| Reese Olson | MIA | @ KCR | TOR | @ BOS |
| Casey Mize | MIA | @ KCR | TOR | @ BOS |
| Tarik Skubal | @ ARI (OFF) | @ KCR | PIT (OFF) | @ BOS |
| Jack Flaherty | @ ARI | TOR | PIT | @ TEX |
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- With Kenta Maeda heading to the IL with an illness, that leaves a spot in the rotation for Matt Manning.
Royals’ Expected Starters
| KCR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brady Singer | @ SEA | OAK | @ TBR | @ MIN |
| Michael Wacha | @ SEA | DET | @ TBR | SDP |
| Alec Marsh | @ SEA | DET | @ MIN | SDP |
| Cole Ragans | OAK (OFF) | DET | @ MIN | SDP |
| Seth Lugo | OAK | @ TBR (OFF) | @ MIN | @ CLE (OFF) |
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- Cole Ragans is coming off of a poor start against the Angels, but has been good for his last few starts. Oakland is a nice matchup for this upcoming week.
Twins’ Expected Starters
| MIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Paddack | NYY (OFF) | @ CLE | TEX | @ HOU |
| Pablo López | NYY | @ WSN | TEX | @ HOU |
| Joe Ryan | NYY | @ WSN | KCR | @ HOU |
| Simeon Woods-Richardson | @ CLE | @ WSN | KCR | @ NYY (OFF) |
| Bailey Ober | @ CLE | TEX (OFF) | KCR | @ NYY |
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- In his first five starts Simeon Woods-Richardson has had four solid outings, but his most recent outing was a rough one. He looks to get back on track against the Guardians.
AL West
Astros’ Expected Starters
| HOU | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronel Blanco | OAK | MIL | @ OAK (OFF) | @ SEA |
| Framber Valdez | OAK | MIL | @ OAK | @ SEA |
| Cristian Javier | OAK | LAA | @ OAK | MIN |
| Hunter Brown | OAK | LAA | @ SEA | MIN |
| Justin Verlander | MIL | LAA | @ SEA | MIN |
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- Justin Verlander is continuing to defy what his age says should be happening after a fantastic outing against his old team, the Tigers last week.
Angels’ Expected Starters
| LAA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Soriano | STL | @ TEX | CLE | @ SEA |
| Reid Detmers | STL | @ HOU | CLE | @ SEA |
| Griffin Canning | STL | @ HOU | NYY (OFF) | @ SEA |
| Tyler Anderson | @ TEX (OFF) | @ HOU | NYY | SDP |
| Patrick Sandoval | @ TEX | CLE (OFF) | NYY | SDP |
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- Reid Detmers is having a streak of poor outings, though he may be able to turn it around against his hometown team.
Athletics’ Expected Starters
| OAK | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Wood | @ HOU | @ KCR | HOU | @ TBR |
| Ross Stripling | @ HOU | @ KCR | HOU | @ ATL |
| Osvaldo Bido | @ HOU | COL (OFF) | HOU | @ ATL |
| JP Sears | @ HOU | COL | @ TBR (OFF) | @ ATL |
| Paul Blackburn | @ KCR | COL | @ TBR | SEA (OFF) |
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- Joe Boyle is on the IL with a lower back strain. He has fantastic stuff, but his command has been a big issue to this point in the season.
Mariners’ Expected Starters
| SEA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Kirby | KCR | @ BAL | @ WSN | HOU |
| Logan Gilbert | KCR | @ NYY | @ WSN | HOU |
| Bryan Woo | KCR | @ NYY | @ WSN | LAA |
| Bryce Miller | @ BAL (OFF) | @ NYY | HOU | LAA |
| Luis Castillo | @ BAL | @ NYY | HOU | LAA |
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- This group of starters is second in strikeouts entering the week. They have some tough matchups in the near future with series against Baltimore and New York coming up.
Rangers’ Expected Starters
| TEX | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Lorenzen | CLE | LAA | @ MIN | @ MIA |
| Jack Leiter | CLE | @ PHI (OFF) | @ MIN | @ MIA |
| Jon Gray | CLE | @ PHI | ARI (OFF) | DET |
| Andrew Heaney | LAA (OFF) | @ PHI | ARI | DET |
| Nathan Eovaldi | LAA | @ MIN | @ MIA (OFF) | DET |
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- Two outings and Jack Leiter is still settling in. His second was a little better than his first, though, and could be a sign of good things to come down the road.
NL East
Atlanta Expected Starters
| ATL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reynaldo Lopez | CHC | SDP | @ PIT | WSN |
| Chris Sale | CHC | SDP | @ PIT | WSN |
| Charlie Morton | CHC | @ CHC | @ PIT | OAK |
| Max Fried | SDP (OFF) | @ CHC | WSN | OAK |
| Bryce Elder | SDP | @ CHC | WSN | OAK |
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- I miss being able to watch Spencer Strider pitch. Still, this has been one of the better rotations this year.
Marlins’ Expected Starters
| MIA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sixto Sánchez | @ DET | NYM | @ ARI | TEX (OFF) |
| Ryan Weathers | @ DET | MIL | @ ARI | TEX |
| Trevor Rogers | @ DET | MIL | @ SDP | TEX |
| Jesús Luzardo | NYM (OFF) | MIL | @ SDP | TBR (OFF) |
| Braxton Garrett | NYM | @ ARI | @ SDP | TBR |
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- With Edward Cabrera finding himself back on the IL, it appears Sixto Sánchez will get some starts. Max Meyer should also be in a conversation at some point.
Mets’ Expected Starters
| NYM | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Manaea | PHI | @ MIA | SFG | ARI |
| José Buttó | PHI | @ CLE | LAD | ARI |
| José Quintana | @ PHI | @ CLE | LAD | @ WAS |
| Christian Scott | @ PHI | @ CLE | LAD | @ WAS |
| Luis Severino | @ MIA | SFG (OFF) | ARI | @ WAS |
| Tylor Megill | @ MIA | SFG | ARI | PHI (OFF) |
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- With Tylor Megill back soon, something will have to give in this rotation. Christian Scott has certainly done enough to be deserving to stay for now.
Phillies’ Expected Starters
| PHI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristopher Sánchez | @ NYM | WSN | @ COL | @ SFG |
| Aaron Nola | @ NYM | WSN | @ COL | STL (OFF) |
| Ranger Suárez | NYM | TEX (OFF) | @ COL | STL |
| Taijuan Walker | NYM | TEX | @ SFG | STL |
| Zack Wheeler | WSN | TEX | @ SFG | MIL |
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- Hands down, this is one of the best rotations in the game this year. They have a near 20-strikeout lead over any other rotation entering the week. They’re also first in wins and second in ERA.
Nationals’ Expected Starters
| WSN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trevor Williams | @ CWS | @ PHI | SEA | @ CLE |
| Mitchell Parker | @ CWS | MIN | SEA | @ CLE |
| Patrick Corbin | @ CWS | MIN | @ ATL | @ CLE |
| Jake Irvin | @ PHI (OFF) | MIN | @ ATL | NYM |
| MacKenzie Gore | @ PHI | SEA (OFF) | @ ATL | NYM |
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- Mitchell Parker has been surprisingly good to start the season and that is reflected in his having the fourth lowest ERA among qualified rookies.
NL Central
Cubs’ Expected Starters
| CHC | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shota Imanga | @ ATL | PIT | @ STL | @ MIL |
| Jameson Taillon | @ ATL | PIT | @ STL | @ MIL |
| Javier Assad | @ ATL | ATL (OFF) | @ STL | CIN |
| Justin Steele | PIT | ATL | @ MIL | CIN |
| Kyle Hendricks | PIT | ATL | @ MIL | CIN |
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- Kyle Hendricks threw five innings of one-run ball in his return to action, though he did walk four.
Reds’ Expected Starters
| CIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Ashcraft | @ ARI | @ LAD | LAD | STL |
| Hunter Greene | @ ARI | @ LAD | LAD | @ CHC (OFF) |
| Andrew Abbott | @ ARI | SDP (OFF) | LAD | @ CHC |
| Nick Lodolo | @ LAD | SDP | STL | @ CHC |
| Frankie Montas | @ LAD | SDP | STL | @ COL |
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- For a group that calls Great American Ballpark home, Reds starters are bottom 10 right now in HR allowed.
Brewers’ Expected Starters
| MIL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Rea | PIT | @ HOU | @ BOS | CHC |
| Joe Ross | PIT | @ MIA | @ BOS | CWS |
| Robert Gasser | PIT | @ MIA | CHC | CWS |
| Freddy Peralta | @ HOU (OFF) | @ MIA | CHC | CWS |
| Bryse Wilson | @ HOU | @ BOS (OFF) | CHC | PHI |
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- Robert Gasser came up and threw six shutout innings in his MLB debut. He takes that momentum into a start against Pittsburgh, which makes him an interesting option.
Pirates’ Expected Starters
| PIT | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Keller | @ MIL | @ CHC | ATL | LAD (OFF) |
| Quinn Priester | @ MIL | SFG (OFF) | @ DET (OFF) | LAD |
| Martin Pérez | @ MIL | SFG | @ DET | LAD |
| Jared Jones | @ CHC | SFG | @ TOR (OFF) | MIN |
| Paul Skenes | @ CHC | ATL | @ TOR | MIN |
| Bailey Falter | @ CHC | ATL | @ TOR | MIN |
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- PAUL SKENES IS HERE!
Cardinals’ Expected Starters
| STL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sem Robberse | @ LAA | BOS | CHC | @ PHI (OFF) |
| Sonny Gray | @ LAA | BAL | CHC | @ PHI |
| Lance Lynn | @ LAA | BAL | @ CIN | @ PHI |
| Kyle Gibson | BOS (OFF) | BAL | @ CIN | @ HOU |
| Miles Mikolas | BOS | CHC (OFF) | @ CIN | @ HOU |
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- Per our projections Sem Robberse will be getting some run in the rotation after throwing for a 2.81 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 41.2 innings in Triple-A.
NL West
DBacks’ Expected Starters
| ARI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Montgomery | CIN | DET | MIA | @ NYM |
| Slade Cecconi | CIN | @ LAD | MIA | @ NYM |
| Brandon Pfaadt | CIN | @ LAD | @ TEX (OFF) | @ NYM |
| Ryne Nelson | DET (OFF) | @ LAD | @ TEX | SFG |
| Zac Gallen | DET | MIA (OFF) | @ NYM | SFG |
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- Between Cincinnati and Detroit, this is a good week of matchups for Diamondbacks starters.
Rockies’ Expected Starters
| COL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Lambert | @ SDP | @ SFG | PHI | @ LAD (OFF) |
| Cal Quantrill | @ SDP | @ OAK (OFF) | PHI | @ LAD |
| Austin Gomber | @ SDP | @ OAK | CLE | @ LAD |
| Ryan Feltner | @ SFG (OFF) | @ OAK | CLE | CIN |
| Dakota Hudson | @ SFG | PHI | CLE | CIN |
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- Note: Coors Field is where balls go to fly a long way. If the Rockies are at home, then their pitchers will bear the brunt of that from a value standpoint.
- It’s tough to be a pitcher for the Rockies and this group is well behind in the rest of the league in strikeouts while also placing last in ERA and WHIP.
Dodgers’ Expected Starters
| LAD | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | @ SFG | CIN | ARI | @ NYM |
| Gavin Stone | @ SFG | CIN | @ CIN (OFF) | @ NYM |
| Tyler Glasnow | @ SFG | CIN | @ CIN | COL (OFF) |
| James Paxton | @ SFG | ARI | @ CIN | COL |
| Walker Buehler | CIN | ARI | @ NYM | COL |
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- Since coming back from injury Walker Buehler has thrown 7.1 innings and given up 6 runs.
Padres’ Expected Starters
| SDP | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yu Darvish | COL (SPOT) | @ ATL | NYY | MIA |
| Dylan Cease | COL | @ ATL | NYY | @ KCR (OFF) |
| Michael King | COL | @ CIN | NYY | @ KCR |
| Joe Musgrove | @ ATL (OFF) | @ CIN | MIA | @ KCR |
| Matt Waldron | @ ATL | @ CIN | MIA | @ LAA |
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- Randy Vasquez is slated to start the week off against Colorado before Yu Darvish assumes the spot in the rotation.
Giants’ Expected Starters
| SFG | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Hicks | LAD | COL | @ NYM | NYY (OFF) |
| Keaton Winn | LAD | @ PIT (OFF) | @ NYM | NYY |
| Logan Webb | LAD | @ PIT | PHI | NYY |
| Mason Black | COL (OFF) | @ PIT | PHI | @ ARI |
| Kyle Harrison | COL | @ NYM | PHI | @ ARI |
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- After a less than ideal debut, Mason Black was able to turn things around against the Reds. With Colorado away from Coors and Pittsburgh coming up there’s chance for him to take another step forward.