The Miami Marlins have the seventh-best starting rotation, according to pitching WAR. Pitchers like Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez were known commodities heading into 2021, but the emergence of Trevor Rogers and Zach Thompson have made the Marlins an interesting watch.
The rotation has been this good without Sixto Sanchez and Elieser Hernandez. xFIP does not paint a pretty picture for the team’s 3.34 ERA, but it is an indicator if management decided to contend in the near future, it has a pitching foundation to do so.
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Joe Ross — Washington Nationals
Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 28%
Ross went on a hot streak with the increase of use in his sinker and slider. It has led to a 3-1 record with more strikeouts than innings pitched over his last four starts. They have been his best two pitches and he needs to continue to utilize them to be fantasy-relevant.
Merrill Kelly — Arizona Diamondbacks
Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 15%
The 32-year old has pitched the best stretch of his season over his past three starts, logging 20 innings and allowing four earned runs with 15 strikeouts. Kelly gets the Rockies at home in his lone start this upcoming week.
Jon Gray — Colorado Rockies
Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 26%
Adding Gray is as much about his strong first half as it is the potential of getting traded. He has a 3.22 ERA at Coors this season and despite an ERA over five on the road, will benefit from pitching at the backend on a contender.
Drew Smyly — Atlanta Braves
Yahoo: 32%, ESPN: 27%
Smyly did not allow more than three runs in a start in June and increased his innings pitched from 4 1/3 June 2 to six-plus in his final two outings. The strong pitching continued July 2 with 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball. The southpaw has four consecutive wins.
Jake Odorizzi — Houston Astros
Yahoo – 55%, ESPN: 58%
Odorizzi found his footing in June and went three starts without allowing an earned run. It also does not hurt being attached to one of the best offenses in baseball for run support.
Injuries
Zac Gallen was placed on the 10-day IL with a grade one hamstring strain. It is not considered serious.
Mets lefty David Peterson is out approximately eight weeks with a strained right oblique.
Two-Start Pitchers
This is a projected list. Starts are subject to change and not all starters have been named.
Kwang Hyun Kim (STL) — at SF, at CHC
Walker Buehler and Tony Gonsolin (LAD) — at MIA, vs ARI
Trevor Rogers (MIA) — vs LAD, vs ATL
Chase De Jong and Chad Kuhl (PIT) — vs ATL, at NYM
Dylan Cease (CHW) — at MIN, at BAL
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) — at NYM, vs CIN
Wily Peralta and Jose Urena (DET) — at TEX, at MIN
Kolby Allard (TEX) — vs DET, vs OAK
Matt Moore and Aaron Nola (PHI) — at CHC, at BOS
Zach Davies and Jake Arrieta (CHC) — vs PHI, vs STL
There is no guarantee Arrieta makes one or both starts. He is a candidate to be demoted to the bullpen.
Vladimir Gutierrez and Luis Castillo (CIN) — at KC, at MIL
Jose Suarez (LAA) — vs BOS, at SEA
Framber Valdez (HOU) — vs OAK, vs NYY
