Best Starting Rotations Going Into 2026

Photo by Bailey Orr/Texas Rangers/Getty Images

March 2, 2026

Starting pitching can make or break a team’s season, but the following clubs are hoping it’s the primer. These are the five best starting rotations in Major League Baseball as Opening Day 2026 approaches.

No. 5 – Philadelphia Phillies

Embed from Getty Images

If Zack Wheeler was healthy and Aaron Nola wasn’t coming off an injury of his own, this group could easily push for the top spot. However, due to those health concerns, the Philadelphia Phillies’ rotation can’t be put any higher.

Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo had strong 2025 seasons, leaving no doubt about their place atop the Phillies’ rotation. After those two, however, the doubts begin to arise.

Nola has been one of the game’s best pitchers over the past decade, but 2025 was a struggle. After missing three months due to ankle and rib injuries, Nola looked like a shell of himself. His fastball velocity sat south of 92 mph, and he allowed five or more earned runs in over a third of his starts.

Nola is likely to bounce back in 2026, but behind him are two more question marks in Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter, the latter of which hasn’t touched the majors. Still, Sanchez and Luzardo are talented enough to make this rotation a top-five group.

No. 4 – Texas Rangers

Embed from Getty Images

The Texas Rangers already had a dominant one-two punch with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi before acquiring MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals. Now, Gore joins Jack Leiter to form a dominant middle of the rotation pairing.

Of course, their final starting spot remains a question mark. Kumar Rocker is the likeliest option, but he struggled mightily in 2025 with a 5.65 ERA and -1.1 WAR. He’s a former top-three pick, so while the production might not be there, the potential certainly is.

At the end of the day, the Rangers still have one of the game’s best rotations. Even if Rocker doesn’t pan out, they still have four reliable starters whom the team can depend on, as long as they remain healthy.

No. 3 – Boston Red Sox

Embed from Getty Images

While Garrett Crochet firmly established himself as a top-three pitcher in baseball last season, the Boston Red Sox made several moves this offseason to beef up the rest of their rotation.

To start, they acquired Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals, bringing production and experience to a young Red Sox team. Following Gray’s acquisition, the team signed Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract. Add in Brayan Bello, and the Red Sox have one of baseball’s best rotations.

Like the Rangers, the Red Sox don’t have a dependable fifth starter. That spot will likely be filled by Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, or Johan Oviedo, but even if they struggle, the Red Sox have a dominant front and middle of the rotation to make up for it.

No. 2 – Seattle Mariners

Embed from Getty Images

The Seattle Mariners have as strong a case as any to own the top spot, but someone had to come in second place.

Bryan Woo cemented himself as one of the game’s best pitchers in 2025. Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, despite underwhelming seasons due to injury, will both be healthy for 2026. Even Luis Castillo, who is now 33-years-old, had another strong campaign last year.

The final spot in the rotation is open, but one of Emerson Hancock or Bryce Miller looks ready to fill it. Even if they can’t, the Mariners’ bullpen is more than capable of taking the pressure off the team’s fifth starter.

No. 1 – Los Angeles Dodgers

Embed from Getty Images

It’s only fitting that baseball’ best team has the best rotation.

After one of the best postseason performances in recent memory, 2025 World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto has his sights set on a Cy Young award. Behind him are Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, two of the game’s premier pitchers. Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki round out this group, with Emmet Sheehan waiting in the wings if necessary.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to three-peat in 2026, and if they do, it will likely be in large part because of their rotation.