As the Major League Baseball regular season nears its end, attention turns to the top starting pitchers leading their teams into the postseason. MLB.com’s data team has released its latest Starting Pitcher Power Rankings, focusing exclusively on pitchers from playoff-bound or contending teams.
At the top of the list is Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. Despite a recent loss to the Cleveland Guardians, Skubal’s performance throughout the season keeps him ranked first. He may play a crucial role in Detroit’s push for a playoff spot during their final game.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers follows at number two. After excelling in last year’s World Series, Yamamoto has continued his strong form this September, posting a 0.86 ERA and striking out 27 batters in 21 innings over three starts. He is scheduled for one more start as the Dodgers look to secure the National League West title.
Max Fried of the New York Yankees holds third place. Over his past seven outings, Fried has gone 6-0 with a 1.55 ERA and tallied 48 strikeouts in just over 46 innings, including tying his career high with 13 strikeouts against Baltimore.
Bryan Woo leads the Seattle Mariners’ rotation and is expected to be their Game 1 starter if he recovers from minor pectoral tightness by playoff time. Woo has recorded a 2.94 ERA and nearly 200 strikeouts this season.
Cristopher Sánchez ranks fifth and has emerged as an important player for the Philadelphia Phillies after stepping in for injured ace Zack Wheeler. The left-hander is “13-5 with a 2.57 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 196 1/3 innings this season, ranking second in the NL in ERA, second in innings pitched and fifth in strikeouts,” according to MLB.com’s analysis. “He’s one of the biggest reasons the Phillies are NL East champs.”
Other pitchers rounding out the top ten include Garrett Crochet (Red Sox), Kevin Gausman (Blue Jays), Freddy Peralta (Brewers), Hunter Brown (Astros), and Nolan McLean (Mets). Each has played a key role for their respective teams during crucial moments late in the season.
Honorable mentions go to Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Hunter Greene (Reds), Carlos Rodón (Yankees), Cade Horton (Cubs), Quinn Priester (Brewers), and Gavin Williams (Guardians).
The rankings weigh recent performance most heavily but also consider season-long achievements and results over the past year.
