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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
