{"id":18047,"date":"2026-03-02T12:52:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T20:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=18047"},"modified":"2026-03-02T12:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T20:52:34","slug":"best-starting-rotations-heading-into-the-2026-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/03\/02\/best-starting-rotations-heading-into-the-2026-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Starting Rotations Heading Into the 2026 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Starting pitching can make or break a team&#8217;s season, but the following clubs are hoping it&#8217;s the primer. These are the five best starting rotations in Major League Baseball as Opening Day 2026 approaches.<\/p>\n<h4>No. 5 \u2013 Philadelphia Phillies<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"qc-YKiYhRxNCgklWx-eZwA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2234953829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'qc-YKiYhRxNCgklWx-eZwA',sig:'4Nic8MOWXuab2Y8NksUTkEDt4E9ZKfjK5PGfoeTtF7s=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2234953829',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>If <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wheelza01.shtml\">Zack Wheeler<\/a><\/strong> was healthy and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nolaaa01.shtml\"><strong>Aaron Nola<\/strong><\/a> wasn\u2019t coming off an injury of his own, this group could easily push for the top spot. However, due to those health concerns, the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/phillies\">Philadelphia Phillies\u2019<\/a> rotation can\u2019t be put any higher.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sanchcr01.shtml\"><strong>Cristopher Sanchez<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/luzarje01.shtml\"><strong>Jesus Luzardo<\/strong><\/a> had strong 2025 seasons, leaving no doubt about their place atop the Phillies\u2019 rotation. After those two, however, the doubts begin to arise.<\/p>\n<p>Nola has been one of the game\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>Nola is likely to bounce back in 2026, but behind him are two more question marks in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/walketa01.shtml\"><strong>Taijuan Walker<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=painte001and\"><strong>Andrew Painter<\/strong><\/a>, the latter of which hasn\u2019t touched the majors. Still, Sanchez and Luzardo are talented enough to make this rotation a top-five group.<\/p>\n<h4>No. 4 \u2013 Texas Rangers<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"lSD-27rGR4BleMu84mWW9g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2235120716\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'lSD-27rGR4BleMu84mWW9g',sig:'_7ovHnAq4_c4ebbcQxk8vj39UnpvBmUrU02vEHxG6tw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2235120716',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/rangers\">Texas Rangers<\/a> already had a dominant one-two punch with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/degroja01.shtml\"><strong>Jacob deGrom<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/eovalna01.shtml\"><strong>Nathan Eovaldi<\/strong><\/a> before acquiring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gorema01.shtml\"><strong>MacKenzie Gore<\/strong><\/a> from the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/nationals\">Washington Nationals<\/a>. Now, Gore joins <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leiteja01.shtml\"><strong>Jack Leiter<\/strong><\/a> to form a dominant middle of the rotation pairing.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, their final starting spot remains a question mark. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rockeku01.shtml\"><strong>Kumar Rocker<\/strong><\/a> is the likeliest option, but he struggled mightily in 2025 with a 5.65 ERA and -1.1 WAR. He\u2019s a former top-three pick, so while the production might not be there, the potential certainly is.<\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, the Rangers still have one of the game\u2019s best rotations. Even if Rocker doesn\u2019t pan out, they still have four reliable starters whom the team can depend on, as long as they remain healthy.<\/p>\n<h4>No. 3 \u2013 Boston Red Sox<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"qxXD2phLSGhc-FsRsSrSrw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2220800461\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'qxXD2phLSGhc-FsRsSrSrw',sig:'_-txw4tauU0S_whPyVWzrESkJiV53nhOXTpjvldu-fI=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2220800461',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crochga01.shtml\"><strong>Garrett Crochet<\/strong><\/a> firmly established himself as a top-three pitcher in baseball last season, the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/redsox\">Boston Red Sox<\/a> made several moves this offseason to beef up the rest of their rotation.<\/p>\n<p>To start, they acquired <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grayso01.shtml\"><strong>Sonny Gray<\/strong><\/a> from the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/cardinals\">St. Louis Cardinals<\/a>, bringing production and experience to a young Red Sox team. Following Gray\u2019s acquisition, the team signed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suarera01.shtml\">Ranger Suarez<\/a> <\/strong>to a five-year, $130 million contract. Add in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bellobr01.shtml\"><strong>Brayan Bello<\/strong><\/a>, and the Red Sox have one of baseball\u2019s best rotations.<\/p>\n<p>Like the Rangers, the Red Sox don\u2019t have a dependable fifth starter. That spot will likely be filled by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tollepa01.shtml\"><strong>Payton Tolle<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/earlyco01.shtml\"><strong>Connelly Early<\/strong><\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/o\/oviedjo01.shtml\"><strong>Johan Oviedo<\/strong><\/a>, but even if they struggle, the Red Sox have a dominant front and middle of the rotation to make up for it.<\/p>\n<h4>No. 2 \u2013 Seattle Mariners<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"z3XkczaiTsFvMsiNv6HpwQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2227794442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'z3XkczaiTsFvMsiNv6HpwQ',sig:'FhQ2IPNqnCadoB2eBuD2eCzH94RTGbeUA9d3YAKwbaM=',w:'594px',h:'401px',items:'2227794442',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/mariners\">Seattle Mariners<\/a> have as strong a case as any to own the top spot, but someone had to come in second place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woobr01.shtml\"><strong>Bryan Woo<\/strong><\/a> cemented himself as one of the game\u2019s best pitchers in 2025. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilbelo01.shtml\"><strong>Logan Gilbert<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kirbyge01.shtml\"><strong>George Kirby<\/strong><\/a>, despite underwhelming seasons due to injury, will both be healthy for 2026. Even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/castilu02.shtml\"><strong>Luis Castillo<\/strong><\/a>, who is now 33-years-old, had another strong campaign last year.<\/p>\n<p>The final spot in the rotation is open, but one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hancoem01.shtml\"><strong>Emerson Hancock<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/millebr04.shtml\"><strong>Bryce Miller<\/strong><\/a> looks ready to fill it. Even if they can\u2019t, the Mariners\u2019 bullpen is more than capable of taking the pressure off the team\u2019s fifth starter.<\/p>\n<h4>No. 1 \u2013 Los Angeles Dodgers<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"EwX1TB92Tg1VxT40-3CPsA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2237024224\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'EwX1TB92Tg1VxT40-3CPsA',sig:'1q7wyakNJwfa8UnFudqzveVBybSpL8J2NwxCZBoryEU=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2237024224',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s only fitting that baseball\u2019 best team has the best rotation.<\/p>\n<p>After one of the best postseason performances in recent memory, 2025 World Series MVP <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/y\/yamamyo01.shtml\"><strong>Yoshinobu Yamamoto<\/strong><\/a> has his sights set on a Cy Young award. Behind him are <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/snellbl01.shtml\">Blake Snell<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/glasnty01.shtml\"><strong>Tyler Glasnow<\/strong><\/a>, two of the game\u2019s premier pitchers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/o\/ohtansh01.shtml\"><strong>Shohei Ohtani<\/strong><\/a> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sasakro01.shtml\">Roki Sasaki<\/a><\/strong> round out this group, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sheehem01.shtml\"><strong>Emmet Sheehan<\/strong><\/a> waiting in the wings if necessary.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/dodgers\">Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> are looking to three-peat in 2026, and if they do, it will likely be in large part because of their rotation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Main Photo:<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"WwI5UzMpSoJFKiQqHlZZ_g\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2202905269\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'WwI5UzMpSoJFKiQqHlZZ_g',sig:'vVWwwlzx36B27HD3zSBkGLonavKddtNCYva9DMsAx9A=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2202905269',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starting pitching can make or break a team&#8217;s season, but the following clubs are hoping it&#8217;s the primer. These are the five best starting rotations in Major League Baseball as Opening Day 2026 approaches. No. 5 \u2013 Philadelphia Phillies Embed from Getty Images If Zack Wheeler was healthy and Aaron Nola wasn\u2019t coming off an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":18052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[2195,2203,2201,2298,2196,2117,2297,105,1665,1092,1341,1121,1128,2050,1804,1785,1252,862,1347,1557,70,171,1064,961,1345,1078,827,232,2013,107,1862,129,374,108,353,1403,109],"class_list":["post-18047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","tag-2026-boston-red-sox","tag-2026-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-2026-philadelphia-phillies","tag-2026-seattle-mariners","tag-2026-st-louis-cardinals","tag-2026-texas-rangers","tag-2026-washington-nationals","tag-aaron-nola","tag-andrew-painter","tag-blake-snell","tag-brayan-bello","tag-bryan-woo","tag-bryce-miller","tag-connelly-early","tag-cristopher-sanchez","tag-emerson-hancock","tag-emmet-sheehan","tag-garrett-crochet","tag-george-kirby","tag-jack-leiter","tag-jacob-degrom","tag-jesus-luzardo","tag-johan-oviedo","tag-kumar-rocker","tag-logan-gilbert","tag-luis-castillo","tag-mackenzie-gore","tag-nathan-eovaldi","tag-payton-tolle","tag-ranger-suarez","tag-roki-sasaki","tag-shohei-ohtani","tag-sonny-gray","tag-taijuan-walker","tag-tyler-glasnow","tag-yoshinobu-yamamoto","tag-zack-wheeler","pmpro-has-access","eq-blocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Best Starting Rotations Going Into 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A good starting rotation can significantly boost a team&#039;s season. 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