The Top 5 Starting Pitchers In The MLB For 2024!
Pitchers Win and Lose Games
No team in the MLB can win without a few deadly arms leading their rotation to the promised land. Whether they show up in the postseason or are primarily just regular-season arms, you need some talented pitchers to make it to the Playoffs. As we near the end of Spring Training, fans will begin to look at their in-season roster and prepare for what they will be watching come April. Here is my opinion regarding the MLB's five best-starting pitchers.
(This list only consists of starting pitchers; relievers will be separate)
#5: Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks made a surprise run to the World Series last year, largely thanks to Gallen's outstanding season. While Gallen struggled in the playoffs, the last two years have been nothing short of tremendous and signal more dominance in the future. Gallen emerged as the team's ace after going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP to solidify his status as the team's consistent guy. Gallen proved to have the most crucial skill in pitching: consistency. When asked of him, Gallen was good to go out and likely get your team a win. While you hope he can improve in the coming years, given he is only 28, you definitely want to see improvement in the postseason as a shutdown guy who can help win you a World Series.
#4: Zach Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
At 33, it took Wheeler a while to figure out his stuff in the MLB. Wheeler was stuck in Queens with the Mets until 2020 when he was finally allowed to head to Philadelphia and be their ace. It took a few years to adapt to the role, but we can confidently say that Wheeler is one of the best pitchers in the MLB after last season. In the postseason, Wheeler started 4 games, won 3 and lost 0, and had a 1.95 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. Those are ungodly numbers, only achieved by guys at the field's top. Wheeler dominated in the playoffs, and nearly singlehandedly, the Phillies got past the Braves. Wheeler is by far one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball, earning him the #4 slot in the rankings.
#3: Corbin Burnes, Baltimore Orioles
Burnes brings a new level of ace from Milwaukee to Baltimore to the Orioles rotation. Burnes is now 29 and, outside of last season, has recorded three straight seasons with an ERA below three. Burnes has been incredibly consistent in Milwaukee and now brings a level of consistency that the Orioles desperately need. With a WHIP sitting at only 1.07, Burnes is not giving up hits either. Burnes is seasoned and knows how to get batters out when the time comes. While his last postseason outing was reasonably rough in a game he lost, Burnes will build on that and return to form in Baltimore as he dominates the American League with a supporting cast better than he ever had in Milwaukee.
#2: Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
At only 25 years old, I don't want a single pitcher more than Strider for the foreseeable future. In just 186.1 innings last year, Strider struck out 281 batters while only walking 58. Including an insane 20-5 record and a 1.09 WHIP, Strider is easily the best pitcher in the National League for years to come. This domination didn't stop in the postseason either, as Strider maintained a 2.84 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP when the lights shined the brightest. While the postseason numbers are not the most insane and dominant, they are more than telling where Strider is headed. As I mentioned, Strider is only 25. You do not see pitchers this good; they are so young. Strider is quickly setting himself up to be an ace for Atlanta in the next decade.
#1: Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
Cole is the easy number one selection, which is not close. The Yankees got pummeled by injuries and missed the playoffs, but that didn't stop Cole from dominating and taking home the Cy Young award. Cole won 15 games while only losing four, had a 2.63 ERA, and had a 0.98 WHIP. Cole was among the few bright spots for the Yankees last year, but he shined the brightest out of almost anyone in the MLB. Cole will continue to be the Yankees ace for years, but fully expect him to get even better if he stays healthy. Cole is one of the MLB's best strikeout pitchers, and as long as he is in pinstripes, he will probably dominate.
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