It's no secret that Jacob deGrom is the top pitcher on Wednesday's full schedule. You certainly don't need us to tell you that.
But for those looking for another starter -- whether it's simply to pivot to a contrarian option or because you're playing a slate of games that doesn't include the Mets' 6:40 p.m. ET start against the Red Sox -- here's a full breakdown of the six best alternatives.
Carlos Rodón, LHP (vs. Tigers)
Key stat(s): 18.7 swings and misses per start
2021 stats: 3-0, 0.47 ERA, 32.4 K%
Breakdown: Rodón's potential was obviously on full display in his April 14 no-hitter against the Indians, but he's been dominant in all three of his outings this season. He's racked up 24 strikeouts while allowing only one earned run across 17 innings of work. He's inducing an average of 18.7 swings and misses per start, third most in the Majors behind only deGrom and Shane Bieber -- not bad company. Rodón's command has been iffy at times (five walks in his last outing), but the Tigers ranks 26th in MLB with a 29.9% chase rate. They also rank dead last in strikeout percentage (28.9%), runs per game (3.0) and OBP (.269). It's an elite matchup for Rodón.
Tyler Glasnow, RHP (vs. Athletics)
Key stat(s): 52.4% whiff rate with his curveball since 2020 (best in MLB)
2021 stats: 2-1, 2.05 ERA, 39.7 K%
Breakdown: Glasnow allowed just two runs over 24 2/3 innings (0.73 ERA) in his first four starts before giving up five runs over six innings his last time out. Still, he racked up 10 more K's in that outing and has 46 through 30 2/3 frames -- an average of 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings. And that's no fluke: He struck out 14.3 per nine in 2020 (91 K's in 57 1/3 IP). Hitters are just 2-for-33 (.061, both singles) with 21 strikeouts and a 51.4% whiff rate against his curveball this season after hitting .120 with 58 K's and a 52.8% whiff rate against it in 2020.
Clayton Kershaw, LHP (vs. Reds)
Key stat(s): 24 K's with slider (T-most in MLB)
2021 stats: 3-2, 2.56 ERA, 24.8 K%
Breakdown: Kershaw has been locked in ever since his rocky Opening Day performance at Coors Field (so let's maybe just throw that one out given the ballpark). He's 3-1 with a 1.38 ERA and 29 K's over 26 innings in his last four starts, including back-to-back outings against the Padres' potent lineup. His slider has been devastating this season, with Kershaw racking up 24 of his 31 K's on the pitch, while inducing a 39.0% whiff rate. Though the Reds have been the highest-scoring team in the Majors at 5.6 runs per game, there is one key factor that makes this an enticing matchup for Kershaw: The Reds have a 45.4% chase rate against sliders this season -- by far the highest in the big leagues.
Sandy Alcantara, RHP (vs. Brewers)
Key stat(s): Brewers have 28.7 K% (third-highest in MLB)
2021 stats: 0-2, 3.34 ERA, 26.4 K%
Breakdown: Alcantara has shown flashes at times over the last couple years, and he has the stuff to turn in a gem on any given night. Along with a four-seam fastball that averages 97.3 mph, Alcantara is holding opposing hitters to an .083 (2-for-24) average vs. his changeup and an .087 (2-for-23) mark vs. his slider. His sinker has been the only issue this season (.360 opponents' BA, .600 SLG), but that's unlikely to continue, given that the xSLG against the pitch is just .400 -- and opponents hit just .179 with one extra-base hit (a double) against Alcantara's sinker last season. With the Brewers ranking 27th in team OPS and 28th in strikeout percentage, this could be the spot where everything clicks for Alcantara.
Steven Matz, LHP (vs. Nationals)
Key stat(s): .169 opponents' BA
2021 stats: 4-0, 2.31 ERA, 27.2 K%
Breakdown: Matz had a disastrous 2020 season with the Mets, allowing 14 homers in just 30 2/3 innings on his way to finishing with a 9.68 ERA. He ranked near the bottom of the league in average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, xBA and xSLG. A key reason for his struggles was his sinker -- a pitch he threw 53.7% of the time -- as opponents hit .322 with six home runs and a .678 SLG against the offering. It's been a different story so far with the Blue Jays, with opposing batters going just 5-for-29 with nine K's and zero homers against the pitch.
Zack Greinke, RHP (vs. Mariners)
Key stat(s): 17.2 K% (would be lowest since 2005)
2021 stats: 2-1, 2.76 ERA, 17.2 K%
Breakdown: Greinke isn't exactly overpowering hitters this year: He's on pace for his lowest strikeout rate since 2005, when he was a 21-year-old pitching in his second big league season. Regardless, he's pitched well in four of his five starts, posting a 1.29 ERA in four outings outside of his poor showing on April 12 vs. the Tigers (six runs in 4 2/3 innings). His best start came less than two weeks ago against this same Mariners team, when Greinke allowed just four hits over eight scoreless frames. He continues to find ways to get hitters out, just don't go in expecting big strikeout totals.