MLB Starting Nine 04/03/24
The MLB is in full swing and most teams are wrapping up their second series of the season this week. This list will fluctuate and, for some, this could be their only appearance on our list this season but, so be it. They deserve their spot right now. Here is this week’s Starting Nine:
Starting Nine (Week of April 3rd)
#9. Texas Rangers 3-2 (+750/+1500) - The champs will look different several weeks from now with the hopeful returns of starting pitchers Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. The loss of Jung to a broken wrist is a big blow. Last Week’s Rank: -
#8. Cincinnati Reds 3-2 (+2200/+5000) - The Reds’ season will come down to pitching. This is a team that will hit, particularly in their home park. If Abbott continues to look like a top-two starter and Frankie Montas returns to form, this team can win the NL Central. Last Week’s Rank: -
#7. Milwaukee Brewers (+330/+700) - The Astros may yet win the AL West and earn a first-round bye. Either way, the World Series Champs are primed to defend their title. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#6. Milwaukee Brewers 4-0 (+3500/+8000) - The Brewers appeared to be on the fast track to a retooling this season but someone forgot to tell their feisty lineup. A 4-0 start may be a mirage, but they belong on this list right now. Last Week’s Rank: -
#5. Baltimore Orioles 3-2 (+500/+1100) - Will the Orioles be on the hunt for a new closer before too long? I don’t think Kimbrel can hold up at this point in his career. Last Week’s Rank: -
#4. Atlanta Braves 3-2 (+210/+380) - The addition of Chris Sale as a #3 starter and the fact that he was hitting 95 in his first start should worry the rest of the National League. Last Week’s Rank: -
#3. Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 (+180/+340) - All that matters for these Dodgers is the World Series this year. They’ll get to the playoffs but will they have the arms to win? Last Week’s Rank: -
#2. Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 (+5500/+12,000) - The Pirates should not be taken lightly this season. They have playoff potential with a strong everyday lineup, a stud at the top of the rotation in Keller, and the experience from last year’s playoff push. Last Week’s Rank: -
#1. New York Yankees 5-1 (+475/+950) - A four-game sweep over the Houston Astros followed by a series-opening win over the defending NL champions, both on the road, deserves the number one spot. The starting pitching still scares me in regards to this team, however. Last Week’s Rank: -
AL/NL MVP Candidates & AL/NL Cy Young Candidates:
Last week I listed the top candidates for each league in terms of the best odds to start the season in these two major awards. Starting at the end of April, I will kick off a weekly top three for each category in each league.
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle