As the season progresses, we’re starting to see pitchers establishing themselves. Their hot starts have evolved into some impressive runs. The star of the week is Ryan Weathers for putting together an impressive stretch of games over his last three starts. Outside of that, the injury bug is starting to strike again, which means there is some movement among some of these rotations. 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 5/20)
| Top | Solid | Average | Weak | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | ARI | vs. BOS | vs. CIN | CHW |
| BAL | @BOS | vs. CLE | DET | vs. COL |
| HOU | CHC | @COL | OAK | MIA |
| LAD | @CIN | KCR | SFG | LAA |
| NYY | @CLE | MIL | TBR | PIT |
| PHI | MIN | NYM | TOR | STL |
| TEX | SDP | SEA | WSN |
AL East
Orioles’ Expected Starters
| BAL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Irvin | BOS | TBR | @ TBR | ATL |
| Grayson Rodriguez | BOS | @ TOR | @ TBR | ATL |
| Corbin Burnes | BOS | @ TOR | @ TBR | PHI |
| Dean Kremer | TBR (OFF) | @ TOR | @ TBR | PHI |
| Kyle Bradish | TBR | @ TOR | ATL | PHI |
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- Well, things are scary for John Means as we enter the week awaiting news on forearm strain.
Red Sox Expected Starters
| BOS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Criswell | @ BAL | DET | @ CWS | PHI |
| Brayan Bello | @ BAL | DET | @ CWS | NYY |
| Kutter Crawford | @ BAL | ATL (OFF) | @ CWS | NYY |
| Nick Pivetta | DET | ATL | PHI (OFF) | NYY |
| Tanner Houck | DET | @ CWS | PHI | @ TOR |
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- It’s been Garrett Whitlock Watch for the last few weeks. A tough blow for both him and the Red Sox with him requiring elbow surgery.
Yankees’ Expected Starters
| NYY | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nestor Cortes | @ LAA (OFF) | @ SFG | LAD | @ KCR |
| Luis Gil | @ LAA | MIN (OFF) | LAD | @ BOS |
| Carlos Rodón | @ LAA | MIN | @ KCR | @ BOS |
| Marcus Stroman | @ SFG | MIN | @ KCR | @ BOS |
| Clarke Schmidt | @ SFG | LAD | @ KCR | BAL (OFF) |
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- That scoreless outing against the Padres helped Carlos Rodón get his ERA under three for the time being.
Rays’ Expected Starters
| TBR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zack Littell | OAK (OFF) | @ BAL | BAL | @ ATL |
| Ryan Pepiot | OAK | @ MIA (OFF) | BAL | @ ATL |
| Tyler Alexander | OAK | @ MIA | CHC | @ ATL |
| Aaron Civale | @ BAL | BAL (OFF) | CHC | @ MIN (OFF) |
| Taj Bradley | @ BAL | BAL | CHC | @ MIN |
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- Zach Eflin hits the IL with lower back inflammation. Tyler Alexander is projected to fill the open rotation spot.
Blue Jays’ Expected Starters
| TOR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Bassitt | @ CWS | PIT | @ OAK | @ MIL |
| Kevin Gausman | @ CWS | BAL | @ OAK | CLE (OFF) |
| Alek Manoah | @ CWS | BAL | @ OAK | CLE |
| José Berríos | PIT (OFF) | BAL | @ MIL | CLE |
| Yusei Kikuchi | PIT | BAL | @ MIL | BOS |
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- Alek Manoah just erased all of his good will from back-to-back good starts with a clunker against Detroit. It’s a mystery!
AL Central
White Sox Expected Starters
| CWS | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Nastrini | TOR | @ MIL | BOS | @ SEA |
| Mike Clevinger | TOR | @ CHC (OFF) | BOS | @ ARI |
| Chris Flexen | TOR | @ CHC | @ SEA | @ ARI |
| Erick Fedde | @ MIL (OFF) | BOS | @ SEA | @ ARI |
| Garrett Crochet | @ MIL | BOS | @ SEA | HOU (OFF) |
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- Nick Nastrini is back for now. He did give up eight earned runs in his first outing back in the majors, though, so it could be another quick visit.
Guardians’ Expected Starters
| CLE | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xzavion Curry | @ COL | WSH | @ MIA | @ TOR |
| Triston McKenzie | @ COL | KCR (OFF) | @ MIA | @ TOR |
| Logan Allen | @ COL | KCR | @ CIN (OFF) | SEA (OFF) |
| Tanner Bibee | WSH (OFF) | KCR | @ CIN | SEA |
| Ben Lively | WSH | @ MIA | @ TOR (OFF) | SEA |
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- Xzavion Curry is going to get some more run. Entering the week he’s coming off a solid performance against the Mets.
Tigers’ Expected Starters
| DET | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Mize | PIT (OFF) | @ BOS | MIL | @ HOU |
| Tarik Skubal | PIT | @ TEX | MIL | @ HOU |
| Jack Flaherty | @ BOS | @ TEX | WSN (OFF) | @ HOU |
| Reese Olson | @ BOS | @ TEX | WSN | @ ATL |
| Kenta Maeda | @ BOS | MIL (OFF) | WSN | @ ATL |
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- Reese Olson is on some kind of heater right now. He’s been absolutely fantastic this season. To think the Tigers acquired him from the Brewers straight up for Daniel Norris.
Royals’ Expected Starters
| KCR | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alec Marsh | @ MIN | SDP | SEA | NYY |
| Cole Ragans | @ MIN | SDP | SEA | NYY |
| Seth Lugo | @ MIN | @ CLE (OFF) | SEA | @ LAD |
| Brady Singer | @ MIN | @ CLE | NYY | @ LAD |
| Michael Wacha | SDP | @ CLE | NYY | @ LAD |
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- Michael Wacha was perfect through 5 innings against the Rays before he gave up a hit and eventually runs. He struck out 7 in the outing.
Twins’ Expected Starters
| MIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Ryan | KCR | @ HOU | @ PIT | OAK |
| Simeon Woods-Richardson | KCR | @ NYY (OFF) | @ PIT | OAK |
| Bailey Ober | KCR | @ NYY | COL | OAK |
| Chris Paddack | @ HOU | @ NYY | COL | OAK |
| Pablo López | @ HOU | @ PIT | COL | TBR |
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- Pablo López is coming off back-to-back rough starts. He’ll bounce back, though Houston is a tough lineup to do that against.
AL West
Astros’ Expected Starters
| HOU | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Framber Valdez | @ SEA | MIN | @ LAA | DET |
| Cristian Javier | @ SEA | STL | @ SFG | @ CWS (OFF) |
| José Urquidy | @ SEA | STL | @ SFG | @ CWS |
| Justin Verlander | @ SEA | STL | @ SFG | @ CWS |
| Hunter Brown | MIN | @ LAA (OFF) | DET (OFF) | BAL |
| Ronel Blanco | MIN | @ LAA | DET | BAL |
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- He’s not projected for starts but Spencer Arrighetti has been improving. In his most recent outing against the Athletics he fanned seven over five innings of work.
Angels’ Expected Starters
| LAA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffin Canning | NYY (OFF) | @ SEA | HOU | @ SFG |
| Tyler Anderson | NYY | SDP | HOU | @ SFG |
| Patrick Sandoval | NYY | SDP | @ ARI (OFF) | @ SFG |
| José Soriano | @ SEA | SDP | @ ARI | MIL |
| Reid Detmers | @ SEA | HOU (OFF) | @ ARI | MIL |
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- There are a few guys here who could be really helpful and should be really helpful. Unfortunately they haven’t been and they have tough matchups coming up.
Athletics’ Expected Starters
| OAK | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Spence | @ TBR (OFF) | @ ATL | TOR | @ MIN |
| Joey Estes | @ TBR | SEA (OFF) | TOR | @ MIN |
| Ross Stripling | @ TBR | SEA | @ SDP | @ MIN |
| JP Sears | @ ATL | SEA | @ SDP | @ MIN |
| Aaron Brooks | @ ATL | TOR | @ SDP | KCR (OFF) |
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- Joey Estes looked really good in his first outing, followed by a bad outing and a decent one. There is certainly fun upside with Estes, but more than likely he settles into a Toby-ish role.
Mariners’ Expected Starters
| SEA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Miller | HOU | LAA | @ KCR | CWS |
| Luis Castillo | HOU | LAA | @ KCR | CWS |
| George Kirby | HOU | @ OAK (OFF) | @ KCR | TEX |
| Logan Gilbert | HOU | @ OAK | CWS | TEX |
| Bryan Woo | LAA | @ OAK | CWS | TEX |
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- We had to wait for Bryan Woo, but it’s been worth the wait. He’s been fantastic since coming back from injury.
Rangers’ Expected Starters
| TEX | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane Dunning | ARI (OFF) | DET | SFG | @ SEA |
| Andrew Heaney | ARI | DET | @ LAD (OFF) | @ SEA |
| José Ureña | @ MIA (OFF) | DET | @ LAD | NYM |
| Michael Lorenzen | @ MIA | SFG (OFF) | @ LAD | NYM |
| Nathan Eovaldi | @ MIA | SFG | @ SEA | NYM |
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- After the Arizona series there are some favorable matchups on the horizon for this group.
NL East
Atlanta Expected Starters
| ATL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Morton | WSN | OAK | @ WSN | @ BAL |
| Max Fried | WSN | OAK | @ WSN | TBR |
| Darius Vines | WSN | @ BOS (OFF) | @ WSN | TBR |
| Reynaldo Lopez | WSN | @ BOS | @ BAL (OFF) | TBR |
| Chris Sale | OAK | @ WSN | @ BAL | DET |
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- Darius Vines made his return to Atlanta’s rotation against Pittsburgh, but things did not go as well as past starts. He’ll have a chance to turn things around against Washington.
Marlins’ Expected Starters
| MIA | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trevor Rogers | @ SDP | TEX | CLE | @ WSN |
| Jesús Luzardo | @ SDP | TBR (OFF) | @ NYM (OFF) | @ WSN |
| Braxton Garrett | @ SDP | TBR | @ NYM | STL |
| Sixto Sánchez | TEX (OFF) | CLE (OFF) | @ NYM | STL |
| Ryan Weathers | TEX | CLE | @ WSN | STL |
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- Over his last three starts Ryan Weathers has given up just 1 earned run while striking out 19 batters across 21 innings.
Mets’ Expected Starters
| NYM | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tylor Megill | LAD | ARI | PHI (OFF) | SDP |
| José Quintana | LAD | ARI | @ PHI | SDP |
| Christian Scott | LAD | @ WAS | MIA (OFF) | SDP |
| Luis Severino | ARI | @ WAS | MIA | @ TEX |
| Sean Manaea | ARI | @ WAS | MIA | @ TEX |
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- Christian Scott has been pretty good since joining the Mets. Having the Dodgers this week is a tough draw.
Phillies’ Expected Starters
| PHI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taijuan Walker | @ SFG | STL | NYM | @ BAL |
| Zack Wheeler | @ SFG | MIL | @ BOS (OFF) | @ BAL |
| Cristopher Sánchez | @ SFG | MIL | @ BOS | SDP |
| Aaron Nola | STL (OFF) | MIL | @ BOS | SDP |
| Ranger Suárez | STL | @ NYM (OFF) | @ BAL | SDP |
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- After an off outing against the Marlins, Zack Wheeler has bounced back with back to back 7+ inning starts against the Nationals and Rangers.
Nationals’ Expected Starters
| WSN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Corbin | @ ATL | @ CLE | ATL | @ DET |
| Jake Irvin | @ ATL | NYM | ATL | MIA |
| MacKenzie Gore | @ ATL | NYM | ATL | MIA |
| Trevor Williams | @ CLE | NYM | @ DET (OFF) | MIA |
| Mitchell Parker | @ CLE | ATL | @ DET | ARI (OFF) |
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- MacKenzie Gore might not be the can’t miss superstar he was once projected to be, but it seems like he’s having a breakout season where we see what his ceiling truly can be.
NL Central
Cubs’ Expected Starters
| CHC | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Steele | @ MIL | CIN | @ CIN | @ TBR |
| Ben Brown | @ MIL | CIN | @ CIN | STL |
| Shota Imanaga | @ MIL | CWS (OFF) | @ CIN | STL |
| Jameson Taillon | @ MIL | CWS | @ TBR (OFF) | STL |
| Javier Assad | CIN | @ CIN | @ TBR | SFG |
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- Per our projections Ben Brown gets the nod this turn through, however after that Jordan Wicks is set to take that spot when it comes back around.
Reds’ Expected Starters
| CIN | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Lodolo | STL | @ CHC | CHC | @ MIL (OFF) |
| Frankie Montas | STL | @ COL | CHC | @ MIL |
| Graham Ashcraft | STL | @ COL | CHC | @ MIL |
| Hunter Greene | @ CHC (OFF) | @ COL | CLE | @ PIT |
| Andrew Abbott | @ CHC | CHC | CLE | @ PIT |
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- The return of Nick Lodolo is here! He has a good matchup for his return against the Cardinals.
Brewers’ Expected Starters
| MIL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freddy Peralta | CHC | CWS | @ DET (OFF) | TOR |
| Tobias Myers | CHC | CWS | @ DET | CIN (OFF) |
| Bryse Wilson | CHC | @ PHI | @ DET | CIN |
| Colin Rea | CHC | @ PHI | TOR | CIN |
| Robert Gasser | CWS | @ PHI | TOR | @ LAA |
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- Tobias Myers is back in the rotation. He turned in a 4.1-inning start where he struck out 4 and gave up 1 run in his first start back.
Pirates’ Expected Starters
| PIT | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Jones | @ DET (OFF) | LAD (OFF) | MIN | @ COL |
| Paul Skenes | @ DET | LAD | @ STL (OFF) | @ COL |
| Bailey Falter | @ TOR (OFF) | LAD | @ STL | CIN |
| Mitch Keller | @ TOR | MIN | @ STL | CIN |
| Martin Pérez | @ TOR | MIN | @ COL | CIN |
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- Imagine having a two game series against the Pirates and having to face Jared Jones and Paul Skenes. Good luck, Tigers!
Cardinals’ Expected Starters
| STL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Lynn | @ CIN | @ PHI | COL | PIT |
| Kyle Gibson | @ CIN | @ HOU | COL | @ CHC |
| Miles Mikolas | @ CIN | @ HOU | COL | @ CHC |
| Andre Pallante | @ PHI (OFF) | @ HOU | PIT (OFF) | @ CHC |
| Sonny Gray | @ PHI | COL | PIT | @ MIA |
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- Andre Pallante enters the projected starter mix as it looks like Matthew Liberatore may be settling into a bullpen role.
NL West
DBacks’ Expected Starters
| ARI | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryne Nelson | @ TEX (OFF) | @ NYM | @ SDP | LAA |
| Zac Gallen | @ TEX | SFG | @ SDP | LAA |
| Jordan Montgomery | @ NYM | SFG | @ SDP | CWS |
| Brandon Pfaadt | @ NYM | SFG | @ SDP | CWS |
| Tommy Henry | @ NYM | SFG | LAA (OFF) | CWS |
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- It seems Brandon Pfaadt is settling in nicely. After a solid day against the Dodgers he delivered his fifth quality start.
Rockies’ Expected Starters
| COL | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Gomber | CLE | @ LAD | @ STL | @ MIN |
| Ryan Feltner | CLE | CIN | @ STL | PIT (OFF) |
| Ty Blach | CLE | CIN | @ STL | PIT |
| Dakota Hudson | @ LAD (OFF) | CIN | @ MIN | PIT |
| Cal Quantrill | @ LAD | @ STL | @ MIN | LAD |
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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.
- Hosting Cleveland at home before taking on the Dodgers is a rough week for a group of pitchers whose home field makes them hard to trust regardless.
Dodgers’ Expected Starters
| LAD | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Stone | @ NYM | COL | @ NYY | KCR |
| Tyler Glasnow | @ NYM | @ PIT (OFF) | @ NYY | KCR |
| James Paxton | @ NYM | @ PIT | TEX (OFF) | KCR |
| Walker Buehler | COL (OFF) | @ PIT | TEX | @ COL |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | COL | @ NYY | TEX | @ COL |
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- After an absurd run during the end of April/early May, Tyler Glasnow has slowed down a bit. But whatever he had during that torrid pace is in there somewhere. He’s a really fun pitcher to watch work.
Padres’ Expected Starters
| SDP | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael King | MIA | @ KCR | ARI | OAK |
| Matt Waldron | MIA | @ LAA | ARI | @ NYM (OFF) |
| Yu Darvish | MIA | @ LAA | ARI | @ NYM |
| Dylan Cease | @ KCR (OFF) | @ LAA | OAK | @ NYM |
| Joe Musgrove | @ KCR | ARI | OAK | @ PHI |
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- Last week was full of touch matchups for this group. This week is much better on that front.
Giants’ Expected Starters
| SFG | First Start | Second Start | Third Start | Fourth Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Snell | PHI | NYY | @ TEX | LAA (OFF) |
| Mason Black | PHI | @ ARI | @ TEX | LAA |
| Kyle Harrison | PHI | @ ARI | HOU | LAA |
| Jordan Hicks | NYY (OFF) | @ ARI | HOU | @ CHC |
| Logan Webb | NYY | @ TEX (OFF) | HOU | @ CHC |
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- Quite simply, there’s a matchup gauntlet coming up for this rotation over the next few weeks.