MLB Starting Nine (Week of July 24th)
All the divisional races are taking shape with only the NL West Division probably a foregone conclusion at this point. With the trade deadline approaching, things could flip with a key trade. Here is this week’s Starting Nine:
Starting Nine (Week of July 24th)
Hope to see you back: Seattle Mariners; Welcome Back to the Show: Houston Astros
#9. Houston Astros 52-49 (+700/+1500) - It is hard to keep a good, veteran team down. The Astros are getting healthier and Kyle Tucker returns soon. This looks like a repeat of last year with the Astros battling Texas and Seattle for the division crown. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#8. Atlanta Braves 54-45 (+500/+950) - The Braves are apparently in on Tampa’s Randy Arrozarena. He would provide the top of the order speed and power they miss without Ronald Acuna Jr. They still need pitching. Last Week’s Rank: 9th
#7. Minnesota Twins 55-45 (+650/1400) - The Guardians have started to stumble a bit but the Twins have been unable to gain much ground. This team needs some more pop in the lineup. Last Week’s Rank: 7th
#6. New York Yankees 60-43 (+280/+600) - Giancarlo Stanton is close to returning and his power is needed. The team is now 8-16 without him this season. Expect the Yankees to be active at the deadline. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#5. Milwaukee Brewers 55-42 (+800/+1900) - The Brewers need pitching, pitching, and more pitching. When Collin Rea is the team’s most consistent starter, that will not be enough to make a deep playoff push. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#4. Cleveland Guardians 60-40 (+475/+1200) - The Guardians avoided their first four-game losing streak on Tuesday night with a win but this team needs reinforcements. They have the best bullpen in the AL but could use a starter that eats innings to take the burden off the pen. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
#3. Baltimore Orioles 60-40 (+330/+750) - The Orioles seem to have regrouped from a rough patch prior to the All-Star Break. I still think this team is a closer away from being considered a World Series threat. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#2. LA Dodgers 61-41 (+165/+330) - Reinforcements are on the way for the Dodgers. Betts and Muncy are close to returning and the team welcomes back starters Glasnow and Kershaw this week. The Dodgers are in on everything as rumors swirl that they will make a play for Arrozarena. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#1. Philadelphia Phillies 64-37 (+235/+500) - The Phillies could be in on a right-handed bat utility player. They could use some bullpen help as well as they try to take the next step and win it all this year. Last Week’s Rank: 2nd
AL/NL Cy Young Candidates:
Here are this week’s Top Three Cy Young candidates for each league.
American League
Tarik Skubal, LHP Detroit Tigers (-140) - Quite simply, Judge is putting up Barry Bonds-level numbers and is a lock for MVP barring injury. He is first in WAR, first in home runs, first in OPS, first in slugging and first in RBI. Oh and he’s hitting over .300.
Corbin Burnes, RHP Baltimore Orioles (+260) - If only Aaron Judge had signed with the Giants last year, Henderson would be staring down his first MVP award. In the American League, he is second in WAR, second in OPS, second in slugging, second in home runs, and he has 14 steals. If you are banking on Judge missing a significant time due to injury, Henderson is your guy.
Logan Gilbert, RHP Seattle Mariners (+1100) - Ramirez gets the nod for me over Juan Soto simply because Soto gets completely trumped by his own teammate. Ramirez is the best player on the team with the best record in the AL. He is 2nd in RBI, 4th in home runs, 4th in total bases and has 18 steals.
National League
Zack Wheeler, RHP Philadelphia Phillies (+175) - Wheeler’s dominating performance on Tuesday night in Minnesota helps him leapfrog over Sale in the NL Cy Young race. He is first in quality starts, second in WAR and is top five in strikeouts, innings, WHIP, and ERA.
Chris Sale, LHP Atlanta Braves (+140) - Sale is second in WHIP, sixth in WAR and tops in the National League in wins. He has been injury-prone over the last several seasons so buyer beware down the stretch. The Braves have done a good job of giving him extra rest when it is available.
Paul Skenes, RHP Pittsburgh Pirates (+300) - The NL lock for Rookie of the Year pitched his best game of the season on Tuesday night but took his first loss of the year. Wait, quite literally his first loss as a PROFESSIONAL! Skenes is first in WHIP, second in WAR, and second in K/9 since being called up to the big leagues. He could drop out of the race only if the Pirates cut back on his innings down the stretch.
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle
