With the MLB All-Star Break quickly approaching, the schedules of starting pitchers will feature additional rest as all teams take a minimum of three days off. The format for this week’s Starting Pitcher Schedules will therefore take a different angle, because 1. the schedules will be more challenging to predict, and 2. the normal format can pick right back up next week.
Here are the team pitching rotations with the easiest and toughest roads ahead, post-All-Star Break.
Great Schedules
7/16-18 @ ARI 7/19-22 @ STL 7/23-25 vs. ARI
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 21.5
Days off: 0 Doubleheaders: 0
The Cubs relish the most desirable wRC+ figures from opposing teams for their first 15 games after the break. Their toughest offense on the horizon will be the Reds for four games in late July, but their starter on July 20th is in line to miss that outing and instead face the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Nationals.
7/16-18 vs. MIL 7/19-21 vs. NYM 7/23-25 vs. STL
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 19.9
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 0
The Reds aren’t in line to see a top-10 wRC+ until a two-game set with the Twins on August 3, and they won’t be in line to see another one until September 17th (seriously). Cincinnati is second in the NL Central right now and well behind the Brewers, but the Reds’ schedule to begin the second half could put them in prime position to make a postseason push.
7/16-18 @ KC 7/19-21 @ TB 7/23-25 vs. WAS
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 19.3
Days off: 2 Doubleheaders: 0
There will be a minor blip on the radar with the Rays looming next weekend, but Baltimore won’t anticipate a top-10 wRC+ again until they see those same Rays in early August. Baltimore’s Saturday and Sunday starters next week will be in line to see the Royals and Nationals, and then either the Marlins or Tigers.
7/16-18 @ COL 7/19-22 vs. SF 7/23-25 vs. COL
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 17.7
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 0
Dave Roberts’ crew closed out June with five consecutive wins. Despite an earlier sweep at the hands of the Padres, the Dodgers have found themselves in striking distance of taking the top spot in the NL West—and running with it. They will face the 30th-ranked wRC+ in six of their first 10 games back from the break, and the other four will come against the divisional rival they are battling at the top.
7/16-18 vs. NYM 7/19-21 @ ARI 7/23-25 @ SF
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 17.3
Days off: 2 Doubleheaders: 0
Aside from a three-game set with the Giants, there aren’t many tough-hitting opponents on the horizon for the Pirates. Outside of San Francisco, their opponents through July have a wRC+ ranking of 15th or worse.
7/16-18 @ ATL 7/19-21 vs. BAL 7/22-25 @ CLE
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 17.3
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 0
There aren’t many teams with a clear-cut ‘good’ schedule without a tough-hitting opponent. A few have a pretty easy road after their first series back, however; the Rays find themselves on that list after taking on the Braves’ 13th-ranked wRC+.
7/16-18 vs. CHC 7/19-21 vs. PIT 7/23-25 @ CHC
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 17.3
Days off: 0 Doubleheaders: 0
The Diamondbacks could be in desperate need of a break after a dismal stretch that has lasted for much of the first half. They will take on the 17th and 29th-ranked wRC+ once play resumes next week. 13 of their first 18 games back are at home.
7/16-18 vs. SD 7/19-21 vs. MIA 7/23-25 @ BAL
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 16.
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 0
Once the coast clears with the Padres, it should be relatively smooth sailing for a Nationals squad that will face a series of below-average wRC+ figures through July.
7/16-18 vs. MIA 7/20-21 @ NYY 7/22-25 vs. ATL 7/26-29 vs. WAS
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 16.8
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 0
The Phillies will soon have one of the most desirable roads ahead after June 25, as they will take on the Nationals and Pirates for 11 consecutive games. All starters for the Phillies will realistically take on either the Yankees or Braves once after the break, but an otherwise desirable schedule can be further front-loaded with the Marlins out of the chute.
Bad Schedules
7/16-18 vs. LAD 7/20-21 vs. SEA 7/23-25 vs. LAD
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 8.0
Days off: 0 Doubleheaders: 0
A two-game set with the Mariners is about the only thing protecting the Rockies from a divisional gauntlet through July. The Dodgers have to be eager to separate themselves from the surprise Giants, and the divisional-fourth Rockies could be a desirable opponent to face. Colorado was the only team that beat the Dodgers in a series last year, but in 2021, the Rockies also have the sixth-highest ERA in the league. Three of their five top starters have spent time on the injured list, too.
7/15-18 @ NYY 7/19-21 @ TOR 7/22-25 vs. NYY 7/26-29 vs. TOR
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 8.4
Days off: 0 Doubleheaders: 0
There is little relief on the horizon for the Red Sox pitching staff until August 3 when they take on the Tigers. Eight of their first 11 games after the break are against the rival Yankees, and the Blue Jays are no joke either with the second-best wRC+ in the league. Boston and New York will be the only two teams that play on the Thursday after the All-Star Game, which could deplete their pitching staff quicker than other teams in the first week back.
Cleveland Indians
7/16-18 @ OAK 7/19-21 @ HOU 7/22-25 vs. TB
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 10.1
Days off: 2 Doubleheaders: 0
Oakland has the 11th-best wRC+ in baseball right now, while the Astros rank first. Aside from a two-game set with the Cardinals (7/27-28), Cleveland won’t see a bottom-third wRC+ until August.
7/15-18 vs. BOS 7/20-21 vs. PHI 7/22-25 @ BOS
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 12.0
Days off: 2
Doubleheaders: 0
Here’s the other side of that tough Red Sox schedule out of the gate. The Phillies will be an easier hitting opponent than Boston on paper, but there could be some added intrigue with former Yankee manager Joe Girardi in the opposing dugout.
7/16-18 vs. SF 7/19-22 vs. CHC 7/23-25 @ CIN
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 12.2
Days off: 2 Doubleheaders: 0
This could be do-or-die time for the Cardinals, as they stand in the middle of the NL Central pack and open the second half with the tough-hitting Giants. San Francisco holds the third-best wRC+ in baseball, while the Reds are soon on the schedule with the eighth-best.
7/16-18 @ LAA 7/20-21 @ COL 7/22-25 vs. OAK 7/26-28 vs. HOU
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 13.1
Days off: 2 Doubleheaders: 0
This schedule could be tougher than their opponents suggest, being that the Rockies have been absolute warriors at home this year. The Mariners will see the fifth-ranked wRC+ in the Angels before venturing to the thin air of Coors Field. Some tough-hitting divisional lineups in the A’s and Astros await beyond that, so there really isn’t a ‘great’ placement within any of their five rotation spots.
7/16-18 @ DET 7/19-21 @ CHW 7/22-25 vs. LAA
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 13.2
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 2
The Twins have fallen to the bottom of the AL Central this week, and they will open the second half with eight divisional matchups in their first six days back. Minnesota will therefore need an abundance of starters to handle such a dense return to action. The opening round with Detroit could be a huge momentum builder as they look to climb out of the cellar.
7/16-18 @ PIT 7/19-21 @ CIN 7/23-25 vs. TOR
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 13.9
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 1
After opening the second half with the struggling Pirates, there won’t be much relief for a while for the Mets’ rotation. 14 straight games will come against opposing wRC+ ranked 13th or higher.
7/16-18 @ TOR 7/19-22 @ DET 7/23-25 @ HOU
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 14.2
Days off: 2 Doubleheaders: 0
At least one starter for the Rangers can expect to avoid the Astros, which would put them in line to face Toronto, Detroit, Arizona, and Seattle. Some will not see such fate, however, and Texas will soon embark on the tough-hitting lineups of the Angels and A’s to begin August.
7/16-18 @ STL 7/19-22 @ LAD 7/23-25 vs. PIT 7/27-29 vs. LAD
First 15 games after All-Star Break:
Average opponent wRC+ rank: 14.2
Days off: 1 Doubleheaders: 0
Be careful with this one: there is a chance a Giants starter could see the Dodgers twice and the Astros once over their next four starts. The Giants’ starter on July 18th is in line to see the Cardinals, Pirates, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks, however, so some of their arms could have it easier than others.
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