Tigers’ Bold Move
On Wednesday, the Tigers surprised many by signing left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million deal. This decision is crucial for a team aiming high after a tough postseason exit last October.
A Powerful Duo
When paired with Tarik Skubal, Valdez gives the Tigers one of the most potent pitching combinations in baseball. According to FanGraphs’ depth chart projections, they are expected to accumulate a combined 9.9 fWAR in 2026, making them the top starting pitcher duo for the upcoming season.
Formidable Pitching Combinations
While the Tigers’ duo stands out, several other strong pairs are present around the league. Some are recognized by FanGraphs’ projections, while others are considered underdogs. Let’s examine the top pairs anticipated for 2026.
1) Tigers: Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez (9.9 WAR)
Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, excelled last season with a 6.6 WAR, leading all pitchers. The addition of Valdez, who ranks among the top pitchers since 2022, solidifies this duo. Valdez has experience and reliability, boasting postseason experience with 16 playoff starts.
2) Red Sox: Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray (9.5 WAR)
Crochet emerged as a dominant ace last season, setting a Major League record for strikeouts. The Red Sox targeted this pairing to enhance their rotation by acquiring Gray and signing Ranger Suárez. Both pitchers could deliver substantial performance metrics.
3) Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo (8.3 WAR)
Philadelphia’s rotation is highlighted by Sánchez, a notable contender for the NL Cy Young Award, and Luzardo, who showed significant improvement last season. Together, they represent a formidable pairing, although the team must monitor injuries to other key pitchers like Zack Wheeler.
Dark Horse Combinations
There are also some dark horse candidates for top-10 status based on projected WAR that could surprise in the coming season, such as the Orioles’ Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, and the Mets’ Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes. These combinations have the potential to step up if they hit their performance grooves.
