The 2026 MLB season is through the first nine weeks. The current campaign has seen many players continue producing. At the same time, there are players who have entered purgatory due to slumps or injuries. There is a lot of baseball left, and there will be many highs and lows as the season continues to progress.

Entering week ten, here are the top 10 starting pitchers in baseball. MORE: Possible MLB expansion has 2 cities as heavy favorites Cam Schlittler is the front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award. Entering the week, he was first in ERA, second in WHIP, and fifth in strikeouts among MLB starting pitchers.

He leads the Yankees in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts. Paul Skenes is phenomenal, and this can’t be stated enough. Entering the week, he leads MLB starters in WHIP. He will be in the NL Cy Young contention throughout the season.

After making 15 starts last season, the Brewers knew they had their ace for the future. This season, Misiorowski is nearly unhittable. He ranks second in strikeouts, fourth in WHIP, and tied for fifth in ERA among MLB starting pitchers. Sanchez has reached the front-line ace he was projected to be.

Entering the week, he ranks third in ERA and strikeouts among MLB starting pitchers. The NL Cy Young race is shaping up to be one of the best in MLB history. Sale is 37 years old, and his production is as good as it’s ever been. Entering the week, he ranks third in WHIP, tied for fifth in ERA, and seventh in strikeouts among MLB starters.

Ohtani is having the best start to his career as an MLB starting pitcher. Entering the week, he leads Los Angeles’ starting rotation with an ERA and WHIP below 0.90. If he avoids injury, he can have his first season reaching 40 home runs and 200 strikeouts. Cease is one of the game’s most dynamic strikeout pitchers.

Entering the week, he leads MLB starting pitchers in strikeouts. He’s on pace for a sixth consecutive season of 200 strikeouts, but will need to get back on the field soon as he recently hit the IL. Last season, Burns made 13 appearances during his first call-up. This season, his first full MLB season, Chase Burns has taken over as the ace in Cincinnati’s starting rotation.

Entering the week, he ranks fourth in ERA, fifth in WHIP, and seventeenth in strikeouts among MLB starting pitchers. In parts of his first three seasons, Davis Martin projected as a back-end rotation arm. This season, he’s been one of the game’s best starting pitchers. Entering the week, he leads the White Sox in ERA, WHIP, wins, and strikeouts.

Wheeler’s start to the season was delayed following thoracic outlet syndrome surgery at the end of last season. Since making his 2026 debut, Wheeler has been untouchable. Entering the week, Zack Wheeler has a WHIP below 0.90, an ERA below 1.70, and 8.6 K/9. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —