Week 5 Pitcher Rankings
Bartolo Colon has had his ups and downs in his long career but a rebirth with the Yankees is for real as the veteran has two wins, 26 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched and an earn run average under three. With Phil Hughes gone for sometime, Colon has a spot in the Yankees’ rotation for as long as he continues to produce.
This week Colon his a two start pitcher and comes in at 36 overall in our week five starting pitcher rankings. Colon will be tested this week as he will face the Tigers and Rangers, but his stuff is strong right now, and he will receive quality run support, pitching for one of the best teams in baseball.
Another two start pitcher (potentially) this week is hopefully Roy Oswalt but that may not happen as he’s away from the team because of family problems. Oswalt has suffered some tough times in family tragedy in recent years so hopefully all goes over well, and he can get back to pitching for the Phillies.
As for closers, Sergio Santos has a grip on the White Sox closers role at this time but has had some shaky ninth innings, this past week. Mitchell Boggs was a waiver wire darling last week, but he struggled against the Astros and Eduardo Sanchez picked up a save the next day. I still believe Boggs is the top option for the Cardinals, but it is clear they will go with other pitchers for matchups at this time.
Darren Oliver has done a good job for the Rangers in the ninth inning, but it looks like Neftali Feliz is going to be ready on May 6th (Friday) for a return to the closers role.
Jonathan Broxton still has the job as the Dodgers closer, but he could lose it any day now as his struggles from a year ago have carried into this season.
Take a look at some of the trending up and down pitchers as we head into the first week of May.
Trending Up
Starting Pitchers
Bartolo Colon, Tommy Hanson, James Shields, Michael Pineda, Josh Tomlin, Kyle Lohse, Jair Jurrgens, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bud Norris, Ian Kennedy, Scott Baker, Ryan Vogelsong
Closers – Relief Pitchers
Brandon League, Drew Storen, Ryan Madson, Sergio Santos, Drew Storen, Eduardo Sanchez, Frank Francisco
Trending Down
Starting Pitchers
Jordan Zimmermann, Francisco Liriano (cut him), Yovani Gallardo, Aaron Harang, Matt Harrison, Daniel Hudson (pitching better but still struggling in first inning), Brandon McCarthy, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Dempster (cut him)
Closers- Relief Pitchers
Jonathan Broxton, Mitchell Boggs, Sean Burnett (cut him)
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