Several starting pitchers have delivered exceptional performances each week, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike. From established aces reaffirming their dominance to emerging talents making significant impacts, these pitchers have set the tone for excellence on the mound. Let’s take a look at who tore it up and made noise last week around the league, in no particular order.
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Week’s Line: 14.2 IP, 1.84 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, 21 K, 13.31 K9, 1 QS
After a couple of touch-ups, the best pitcher in baseball comes back with perhaps the best start of the year in all of baseball – 9.0, two baserunners, and 13 Ks – on Sunday.
Kris Bubic, Kansas City Royals
Week’s Line: 14.0 IP, 0.64 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, 14 K, 9.00 K9, 2 QS
Another week, another seven-inning gem. The transition to the rotation has gone exceptionally well for Bubic, and he’s a big reason the Royals are humming.
Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies
Week’s Line: 13.0 IP, 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 20 K, 13.85 K9, 2 QS
It was the Rockies and Athletics, sure, but both games were on the road in parks with high factors for runs against. Luzardo has always had the stuff, and now, consistently healthy, he’s showing out.
Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants
Week’s Line: 13.0 IP, 0.69 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 14 K, 9.69 K9, 2 QS
Fewer fastballs and more effective secondaries is fueling this run for Ray. Turns out taking changeup lessons from the best pitcher in baseball is a great thing.
Sonny Gray, St. Louis Cardinals
Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 15 K, 11.25 K9, 2 QS
Sonny is getting it done in a couple of big-boy starts this week – Detroit and Arizona. And he absolutely decimated the Tigers.
Will Warren, New York Yankees
Week’s Line: 9.2 IP, 1.86 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 17 K, 16.63 K9, 0 QS
Who? And what? Seventeen strikeouts in just over nine innings? And it would have been 25 had he not got yanked (get it) after the rain delay in Colorado Sunday.
Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins
Week’s Line: 10.2 IP, 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 17 K, 15.00 K9, 0 QS
Not so much Monday against the scorching hot Cubs offense (though I’m willing to give him a pass here). But he obliterated the Halos on the back of elite breakers.
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates
Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 12 K, 9.00 K9, 2 QS
Mitch Keller has basically been Mitch Keller’ing all season. Nothing sexy, but usually good for six to seven solid innings with a handful of strikeouts. Could (should) have featured Yamamoto here, but feel Keller has been sort of underappreciated this season in the shadow of Zeus (Skenes).
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners
Week’s Line: 13.0 IP, 2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11 K, 7.62 K9, 2 QS
It’s become common practice for pitchers to beat up on the ChiSox and Astros offenses this season, and it was Luis’ turn for both. The Good Guys were no problem on Monday, but the Astros beat him up a bit.
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
Week’s Line: 7.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.43 WHIP, 9 K, 11.57 K9, 1 QS
7 innings of bliss from Gaus this past week, and against the Friars (big marbles). The splitter was back and better, and led the way. It’s a rollercoaster this season for Gausman, but when he’s on, he’s on.
