Starting Pitcher Power Rankings: The Best of the LCS
The League Championship Series (LCS) this year is a thrilling affair, with several intriguing factors at play. One of the most notable is the spotlight on starting rotation firepower in the context of October baseball. This edition of the Starting Pitcher Power Rankings showcases just how pivotal these pitchers can be, especially in the National League (NL).
The Dodgers have a strong showing with their entire postseason rotation, but the Brewers managed to squeeze one pitcher into the top 10. The Mariners' edge over the Blue Jays is subtle yet significant. However, the gap could have been more pronounced if Bryan Woo had been 100% healthy for Seattle, which remains uncertain.
Interestingly, the top seeds in the NL and American League (AL) brackets are Milwaukee and Toronto, respectively. Both teams have defied expectations all season, outperforming their rivals to reach the LCS. Despite the importance of bullpens at this stage, having a superior rotation (on paper) doesn't guarantee success; it's still a nice advantage to have.
Here are the latest Starting Pitcher Power Rankings, featuring only healthy starters from the four remaining playoff teams:
Blake Snell, Dodgers
Snell's prowess is evident in his three career postseason games against Los Angeles, spanning two different teams. The Dodgers wisely signed him to a five-year deal this offseason. Despite left shoulder inflammation limiting him to just two starts before August 1, Snell's performance in the final two months was impressive, with a 2.41 ERA and 2.31 FIP, striking out nearly a third of the batters he faced. This trend continued in the postseason, where Snell led the Dodgers to victories in the Wild Card Series and Division Series, allowing a combined two runs on five hits in 13 innings.Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Ohtani's long-awaited postseason pitching debut in Game 1 of the NLDS in Philadelphia was a triumph. Despite a challenging environment, he delivered a quality start (six innings, three runs) and a victory. Ohtani's performance was even more impressive, as he retired 13 of the final 15 batters he faced, striking out nine and getting 23 swinging strikes. This success followed a gradual return to the mound over the final three months of the season, where he allowed one run and struck out 27 over 19 2/3 innings in his last four starts.Logan Gilbert, Mariners
Gilbert's journey to the ALCS is unique, as he entered the series after a relief appearance, his first since his college sophomore year in 2017. In a crucial Game 5, Gilbert pitched a pair of zeros in extra innings, helping Seattle advance. His six-inning Game 3 victory was also notable. Gilbert has been consistently steady in his typical role over the past four seasons, especially in the comfortable home environment of T-Mobile Park, where he has a 2.39 regular-season ERA over the last two years.Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
The Dodgers finally have their rotation intact and performing optimally for October. However, this wasn't the case for most of the season, when Yamamoto provided a steady hand amidst injury-related chaos. Yamamoto, more comfortable in his second MLB season, delivered a 2.49 ERA, leading the Majors with just 5.9 hits allowed per nine innings. Opponents struggled against him, batting just .183/.257/.283. Yamamoto also pitched a gem in the NL Wild Card Series clincher against the Reds before facing some challenges against the Phillies in the NLDS.Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays
Yesavage's ranking is undoubtedly aggressive. Six months ago, he made his professional debut for the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. One month ago, he hadn't pitched in the Majors. Entering the ALCS, he has pitched just 19 1/3 big league innings. However, those innings were remarkable, including 5 1/3 hitless innings with 11 strikeouts against the Yankees in ALDS Game 2. Yesavage's late bloom may be attributed to his unique pitching style, which will be a challenge for the Mariners, a team that has never faced him before.George Kirby, Mariners
Kirby's performance in the postseason has been excellent, with a 1.50 ERA across three starts and one relief outing. He was exceptional in Saturday's ALDS Game 5, pitching five innings and allowing one run. Kirby's regular season was better than his 4.21 ERA indicated, with a 3.37 FIP and 3.85 expected ERA. Despite a rising walk rate, Kirby's 45-to-2 K-to-BB ratio over his past five starts suggests he has found his rhythm heading into the ALCS.Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers
The strength of Los Angeles' rotation is evident in Glasnow's role as the club's No. 4 starter this postseason. He would be a Game 1 starter in many rotations across the Majors. While staying on the mound has been a challenge for Glasnow throughout his career, he consistently delivers strong performances. This season, he maintained a 3.19 ERA and 29% K-rate, showcasing his postseason prowess in the Dodgers' NLDS Game 4 clincher, where he tossed six scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts.Freddy Peralta, Brewers
Peralta was a cornerstone for Milwaukee this year, pitching 33 times as the only starter with 25-plus starts. He led the team to 20 wins, consistently striking out batters. While Peralta's walks can be a concern, he demonstrated his reliability in the NLDS against the Cubs, allowing five free passes and three homers in 9 2/3 innings across two starts. He will have another opportunity for a signature postseason performance if he can overcome the Dodgers.Luis Castillo, Mariners
Castillo's last relief appearance was even longer than Gilbert's, dating back to 2016 as a 23-year-old in High-A for the Marlins. Since then, he has made nearly 250 big league starts and been selected to three All-Star teams. Castillo's past two seasons have been solid but not spectacular, with a 3.59 ERA in 356 innings. However, his reliability is valuable, and he has performed well in October, with a 1.40 ERA in 25 2/3 postseason innings.Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays
Gausman's performance has dipped slightly from his 2021-2023 peak, when he received Cy Young Award votes annually and was an All-Star twice. Similar to Castillo in Seattle, Gausman has remained durable in Toronto, logging over 180 innings in both 2024 and 2025. The 34-year-old had a strong second half, with a 2.81 ERA and 5.3 K-to-BB ratio after the break. He pitched 5 2/3 strong innings and secured a victory over the Yankees in ALDS Game 1, armed with his signature four-seamer/splitter combo. Gausman aims to give the Jays another series-opening win on Sunday.
