Top 10 starting pitchers in MLB right now

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the third inning against the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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7. Madison Bumgarner

Believe it or not, Madison Bumgarner is entering his tenth season in the big leagues in 2018. The left-hander made his debut with the San Francisco Giants at the age of 20, and has been a dominant force from the moment he stepped on an MLB mound. Bumgarner’s brilliance is slightly hidden by the fact that his personality is so low-key, but he is 104-76 for his career with a 3.01 ERA and four All-Star nods.

Bumgarner’s self-inflicted injuries last season torpedoed what was already looking like a lost season for the Giants. He was able to return at the end of the year and make 17 total starts on the season. Run support was an issue, and Bumgarner saw his record sink to 4-9 despite a very solid 3.32 ERA.

There are few workhorses on Bumgarner’s level left in the league. Prior to last season, he had thrown at least 200 innings in six straight seasons. Throw in 102.1 innings of 2.11 ERA pitching in the postseason, and Bumgarner is well on his way to building a Hall of Fame resume.

Nothing jumps out when watching Bumgarner work on the mound. He doesn’t tickle triple digits with his fastball, doesn’t have the nastiest wipeout slider in the league, but is still averaging close to a strikeout per inning for his career. MadBum is just a bulldog on the mound and one of the best in baseball.

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