SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after he struck out Trent Grisham #2 of the San Diego Padres to end the eighth inning at Oracle Park on April 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Several starting pitchers deliver 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. 

Paul Skenes (PIT – SP)

Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JUNE 11: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Week’s Line: 15.2 IP, 0.57 ERA, 0.45 WHIP, 15 K, 8.88 K9, 2 QS

Look at that line again and consider the Pirates only won one of those games. Saw a quip yesterday from Donny Chedrick and it sums up Skenes perfectly – “Hard to feel bad for a guy dating a model that will one day sign a half-billion dollar contract, but folks, the Pirates have made it possible.” 

Logan Webb (SF – SP)

Jun 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Week’s Line: 14.0 IP, 1.29 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 17 K, 10.93 K9, 2 QS

Webb has been phenomenal this season, and last week was no different – two big boy games at home (San Diego and Atlanta), with a CSW (called/swinging strike rate) north of 30%.

Jack Flaherty (DET – SP)

Apr 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty (9) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 0.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 13 K, 9.75 K9, 2 QS

Flaherty seems to have hit his groove for one of the best teams in the bigs. Sunday against the red-hot Cubs was a clinic. 

George Kirby (SEA – SP)

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 15: George Kirby #68 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on June 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 17 K, 12.75 K9, 1 QS

He’s back! Right? RIGHT? I mean, it was the Angels, but anytime someone K’s 14 in a single game, I’m going to feature them. 12 innings, one walk. One. The location is elite-elite. 

Chris Sale (ATL – SP), Merrill Kelly (ARI – SP)

May 6, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) pitches the ball against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Sale’s Line: 6.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 10 K, 15.00 K9, 1 QS

Kelly’s Line: 7.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.29 WHIP, 8 K, 10.29 K9, 1 QS

Featuring them both here, because it seemed unfair to roll with Sale when Kelly outdueled him Wednesday night. 

Bryce Elder (ATL – SP)

Jun 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder (55) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Week’s Line: 8.0 IP, 1.13 ERA, 0.38 WHIP, 12 K, 13.50 K9, 1 QS

Can’t gush about one Brave (Sale) and not feature Elder, who came out and HANDLED the Giants on Saturday. Struck out Acuna Jr., Olson, and Ozuna twice each. Stones, friends. 

Cristopher Sanchez (PHI – SP)

Christopher-Sanchez-Philadelphia-Phillies
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JULY 11: Christopher Sanchez #61 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Fenway Park on July 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Week’s Line: 13.0 IP, 2.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 13 K, 9.00 K9, 2 QS

Sanchez has pitched well for the Phils, and threw a couple quality starts last week as well. Yes it was the Pirates on Sunday, but he also held down the hot-hitting Blue Jays. 

Freddy Peralta (MIL – SP)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 11: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on May 11, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 12 K, 9.00 K9, 2 QS

Erratic with the strikeouts (nine against the Reds, three against the Pads) and a few too many walks (5), but this is the bag with Peralta. San Diego simply couldn’t do anything against Freddy on Sunday.

Tanner Bibee (CLE – SP)

Jun 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) argues a call with home plate umpire Paul Clemons (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Week’s Line: 12.2 IP, 3.55 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 12 K, 8.85 K9, 2 QS

The Yankees got him on Tuesday (yes, he gets a pass for that), but a real nice follow-up effort at home against the Astros on Sunday. And the strikeouts are back, which is nice. 

MacKenzie Gore (WSH – SP)

Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Week’s Line: 7 IP, 0 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 7 K, 9.00 K9, 1 QS

Swoooooon. The breakout continues, and after he got out of the bases-loaded jam in the top of the first against the Cubs (three straight singles to open the game), Gore allowed just two baserunners (BB, HBP) in the next six innings.