Verlander is having a remarkable return from Tommy John surgery at age 39. The Astros ace has a 1.38 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in seven starts spanning 45.2 innings.

Burnes is trying to win his second consecutive Cy Young Award, and he’s off to a great start. The Brewers’ ace has a 2.26 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in eight starts over 51.2 innings.

Toronto is looking smart by replacing Robbie Ray with Gausman. The right-hander has a 2.52 ERA with a remarkable 57/3 K/BB in 50 innings.

San Francisco took a risk by signing the oft-injured Rodon in the offseason, but that risk is paying off. He has a 3.49 ERA with 56/13 K/BB in 38.2 innings.

Cole is still trying to win his first Cy Young Award after finishing top five in the voting in four consecutive seasons. He has a 2.89 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 43.2 innings over eight starts.

Lopez is leading an outstanding Marlins pitching staff early this year. He has a 1.57 ERA over eight starts, putting the injury issues of recent seasons behind him.

Ohtani is looking like an ace this season while also continuing to produce at the plate. He has a 2.82 ERA in seven starts, with 53/9 K/BB in 38.1 innings.

Musgrove continues to lead a highly talented Padres pitching staff. He has a 2.20 ERA in seven starts with 47/6 K/BB over 45 innings.

Cease had a career year in 2021 with 226 Ks in 165.2 innings. This year he’s striking out batters at an even greater pace and leads all of MLB in Ks through his first eight starts.

Buehler finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2021, and already has five wins to go along with a sub-3.00 ERA in 2022. 

The Rays ace is picking up right where he left off last season and already has 65 Ks in just 46.1 innings of work. 

Fried has continued to step up as Atlanta’s ace. The lefty has a 3.31 ERA with 47/6 K/BB in 49 innings.

With Jose Berrios struggling, Manoah has filled the void as the Jays ace. The second-year starter has a 1.71 ERA in seven starts spanning 42 innings.

Wheeler had a delayed start due to shoulder issues but has made up for lost time. He has a 3.49 ERA in seven starts over 38.2 innings.

Gerrit Cole is still known as the ace of the Yankees, but Cortes has rightfully received much of the early-season attention. The left-hander leads the AL with a 1.35 ERA over seven starts, with 49 strikeouts in 40 innings.

Gallen overcame early shoulder issues to dominate through seven starts. He leads the NL with a 1.14 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, fanning 39 batters in 39.1 innings.

Bieber’s velocity has been down early this season, but he’s still seeing good results. He has a 3.72 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 38.2 innings.

Alcantara has been Miami’s ace since 2019, and continues to pitch like a top of the rotation pitcher. Walks have hurt him, but Alcantara has a 2.49 ERA over 50.2 innings.

Giolito has missed some time early in the season but has been an ace when he has pitched. The right-hander has a 2.84 ERA in six starts, with 44 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.

Woodruff’s peripherals have been far better than his results in the first quarter of the season. He has a 5.35 ERA, but Woodruff also has 43/12 K/BB in 33.2 innings. The Vegas odds reflect a pitcher who should see improvement over the remainder of the season.

Detroit’s starting rotation has been riddled with injuries, but Skubal has been reliable. The left-hander has a 2.22 ERA in eight starts with 50/8 K/BB over 44.2 innings.

Nola’s masterful command has continued this season, and he’s seeing better results than last year. He has a 3.64 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 55/9 K/BB in 47 innings for the Phils.

Seattle signed reigning AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in the offseason, but Gilbert has been their ace. He has a 2.40 ERA and 51/16 K/BB in 45 innings.

With injuries to Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tylor Megill, Bassitt could be New York’s most important pitcher in the short term. The Spring Training acquisition by way of Oakland has a 2.77 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 48.2 innings.