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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3. Corey Kluber

While he was definitely robbed of a Cy Young in 2016 because Rick Porcello won a bunch of games, Corey Kluber has established himself as the premier starting pitcher in the American League. He is coming off his second Cy Young season in 2017, where he left little room for debate. Last season, Kluber led MLB with a 2.25 ERA, 18 wins, five complete games, three shutouts, a 0.869 WHIP and struck out nearly 7.5 hitters for every walk. He does it all with a robotic demeanor on the mound.

Kluber could very easily move himself higher on this list with another phenomenal season, but his 2015 and 2016 seasons were just a touch below the two clearcut best pitchers on this list. The right-hander was a late bloomer, but has managed to get better almost every year.

Opponents hit an unthinkably-low .112 against Kluber’s slider last season with an even more mind-boggling .169 slugging percentage. He did see a spike in power production against his cut fastball in 2017, but that is most likely attributable to whatever laws of physics are now governing the more tightly-wound baseballs that are definitely within the tolerances as outlined by the league.

What stands out most when thinking about the brilliance of Corey Kluber is how good he has been in the second half throughout his entire career. He is 40-16 with a 2.90 ERA after the All-Star break, including a 20-7 mark in the month of September. Kluber is the ultimate workhorse who can handle all the pressures of leading a staff to the finish line.

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