Things could be about to get tough for these ace pitchers

Several big name MLB pitchers are primed to see their performance sharply regress to the mean as the 2018 season trudges on.

The MLB season is roughly one-third of the way to its finish, but that still means most starting pitchers have only taken the mound a maximum of 12 times. That is still a relatively small sample size for the game’s top hurlers to date. As such, it’s logical to see some real variance in the way some pitchers will finish their 2018 campaign.

The trick, of course, is to figure out which performances are trends and which are flukes. Luckily, we’re here to do that for you. In this piece, we will identify five pitchers who are off to hot starts they can’t maintain. The first name on the list will be bad news for fans of old, corpulent pitchers.

5. Bartolo Colon

The 45-year-old right hander has been a fun story, but his performance is going to come crashing down soon. Frankly, his ERA is likely to balloon just like his waist size as the season progresses.

The four-time All Star has been one of the best starting pitchers in the AL this season. His record of 2-2 doesn’t do his 3.55 ERA justice. On another team, we could be talking about Colon as a seven or eight win pitcher already.

Rangers fans have to know this isn’t going to last. Colon is doing all of this with smoke and mirrors. His pitches have fantastic movement but he just doesn’t throw hard enough to get hitters out on a consistent basis. Expect his ERA to balloon to at least 4.50 before the season comes to an end.