The usual suspects return as the best pitchers in baseball, but a few additional hurlers are primed to climb the ranks.
Look for Clayton Kershaw to take his game to the next level. His stuff is as good as any pitcher in the Big Leagues and he has a great ballpark to call home.
As far as sleepers go, Roy Oswalt has been sliding under the radar. When he joined the Phillies he went from solid to dominating.
Second-year star Mat Latos is also falling under the radar. A standout rookie who lost the spotlight to Stephen Strasburg last season, his numbers ranked amongst the elite.
Also pay attention to pitchers who switched leagues. Both Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum are certain to have an easier time now that they take on opposing pitchers as hitters in the National League.
Here’s a look at the top 25 starting pitchers for the 2011 season:
1. Roy Halladay, Phillies
The best pitcher in baseball, Halladay seems to get stronger each season, and even at 33-years old, his durability has not been an issue since 2005.
2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners
The fastest-rising hurler, King Felix was so dominant last season that he earned the Cy Young award despite a 13-12 record.
3. Tim Lincecum, Giants
Lincecum put any concerns of a slowdown to rest with a fine showing late in the season, including some clutch pitching while leading the Giants to a World Series title.
4. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Just 23-years old, Clayton Kershaw looks a lot like Felix Hernandez, and this may be the year that he reaches superstardom.
5. Justin Verlander, Tigers
One of the most consistent hurlers in baseball, Verlander has picked up at least 17 wins in four of the last five seasons with plenty of Ks.
6. CC Sabathia, Yankees
He may be pitching to contact more since joining the Yankees, but he has averaged 20 wins and 197 strikeouts in his two years in the Bronx.
7. Jon Lester, Red Sox
Lester had picked up 50 wins over the past three seasons and struck out 225 batters in each of the last two seasons while gaining comfort as the ace of the Red Sox.
8. Cliff Lee, Phillies
He was the prized free agent acquisition because of his clutch play in the past, but don’t ignore his inconsistency when traded to the Rangers, not to mention his mediocre outings in the World Series.
9. Josh Johnson, Marlins
The big question is whether Johnson can stay healthy, but when on the mound, he is as good as anyone in the Big Leagues.
10. Roy Oswalt, Phillies
He’s a bit under the radar, but keep in mind that Oswalt went 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 13 games with the Phillies last season.
11. Mat Latos, Padres
Latos posted Stephen Strasburg-like figures last season, but playing in a small market on the West Coast means people don’t seem to appreciate the 23-year-old enough.
12. Zack Greinke, Brewers
A move to the National League should do wonders for Greinke, not to mention the sudden increase in run support after moving from the Royals to the Brewers.
13. Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies
He cooled off a bit after his hot start last season, but Jimenez remains a source for strikeouts and wins.
14. David Price, Rays
His numbers ranked amongst the elite, but we do have some concerns as several of his former teammates have left town including Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena.
15. Tommy Hanson, Braves
One of the best young pitchers in the game, Hanson’s 3.33 ERA and 1.17 WHIP were not appropriately reflected in his 10-11 record last season.
16. Cole Hamels, Phillies
Hamels is fresh off his finest season, which included a career-best 3.06 ERA and 211 strikeouts.
17. Jered Weaver, Angels
A lack of run support may have cost Weaver a shot at the Cy Young Award, as he fanned 233 batters with a remarkable 1.07 WHIP.
18. Dan Haren, Angels
Once he left the desert for Anaheim, Dan Haren picked up his game, finishing the season with a 5-4 record and 2.87 ERA in his final 14 outings of the 2010 season.
19. Yovani Gallardo, Brewers
For a second straight season, Gallardo reached the 200-strikeout mark, and this time it complemented a career-high 14 wins.
20. Francisco Liriano, Twins
Liriano had a memorable bounce-back season with 14 wins and 201 strikeouts as the ace of the Twins.
21. Max Scherzer, Tigers
Scherzer finally harnessed his fastball as the Tigers’ hurler established career-highs across the board with 12 wins, 184 Ks, and a 3.50 ERA.
22. Brett Anderson, A’s
Injuries limited Anderson to just 19 starts last season, but with a remarkable 75:22 strikeout-to-walk ratio, the 23-year-old southpaw offered a 2.80 ERA.
23. Chris Carpenter, Cardinals
With Adam Wainwright injured, Chris Carpenter will be the Cardinals ace, and he should pick up another 15 wins with 175 K’s and a solid ERA and WHIP.
24. Matt Cain, Giants
One of the more underappreciated hurlers in the game, Cain may not post the best numbers, but he is very consistent and durable.
25. Shaun Marcum, Brewers
The Blue Jays will be the first to tell you that when healthy, Marcum is one of the best in the game. Imagine what he can do if healthy now that he’s out of the AL East and crossed over to the National League.