Best pitching performances of the 2016 MLB season

The Giants' ace was at his best against the Diamondbacks on July 10. He threw a complete game one-hitter, walking only one batter and fanning 14 for the win.

Garcia dominated a strikeout-prone Milwaukee lineup, throwing a complete game one-hitter with one walk and 13 strikeouts. Vincent Velasquez had a similar great performance on the same day.

Velasquez had a true breakout game in only his second start of the season. The former Astro allowed just three hits in a complete-game shutout against the Padres, finishing with 16 strikeouts.

Kershaw was untouchable early in the season, including his shutout of the Padres on May 1. He allowed only three hits, no walks and struck out 14 Padres.

Duffy didn't make the K.C. rotation out of spring training, but he made up for lost time later in the year. He fanned 16 Rays hitters in eight innings, allowing just one hit and one walk.

Gray was considered a future ace when he was drafted with the third pick in the 2013 draft. He's shown flashes this season with the Rockies, particularly on Sept. 17 against San Diego. Just seven days after getting pummeled by the Padres, he threw a four-hitter at Coors Field, with 16 strikeouts and no free passes.

Kershaw's incredible month of May continued with a dominant performance against the Mets. He threw a three-hit shutout, allowing one walk and fanning 13 batters over 109 pitches.

Sale's season looked like it was shaping up to be another great one. He dominated the Rays at Tropicana Field in mid-April, allowing just two hits and striking out nine batters in a shutout.

Teheran rebounded from a mediocre 2015 season to regain his status as Atlanta's ace this season. His best performance was a one-hit shutout against the Mets, with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Walker had another up and down season for the Mariners, but his best performance was late in the year. With the Mariners gaining steam for a wild card spot, Walker threw a three-hit shutout against the Angels and fanned 11 batters.

One of the few bright spots in a nightmarish season for the Twins, Santana started to get on track at midseason. He threw a two-hit shutout against the A's on July 6, fanning eight batters.

Jacob deGrom's season ended prematurely due to injury, but he was very effective at times when he was healthy. The right-hander dominated the Phillies on July 17, throwing a one-hitter. He allowed only one walk and struck out seven batters on 105 pitches.

It's no easy feat to throw a shutout at Coors Field, but Bettis did just that against the Giants. He allowed only two hits and struck out seven batters on 103 pitches.

Cueto helped secure a 1-0 victory over San Diego on May 23, throwing a two-hit shutout. He didn't allow any walks and fanned six batters.

Kershaw walked over a strong Reds lineup at home, allowing just two hits and one walk in a complete game. He struck out seven batters.

Fresh off his NL Cy Young Award in 2015, Arrieta continued to dominate in April. The Cubs traveled to Cincinnati and won 16-0, with Arrieta throwing a no-hitter. He walked four batters and fanned six.

Smyly didn't have the dominant season that many had hoped, but he did show flashes. His best performance was against the terrific Boston lineup at Fenway Park on April 19, throwing eight scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit, two walks and struck out 11 batters.

Wright's knuckleball was working more times than not this season, particularly in an interleague game against the Dodgers on Aug. 5. He threw a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits, one walk and fanning nine batters.

The former AL Cy Young Award winner was on his game on Aug. 25, throwing eight scoreless innings against the Orioles. He allowed only two hits and fanned 10 Orioles.

Kluber can be truly dominant when he's on, and the former AL Cy Young Award winner was on against the Rays on June 21. He threw a three-hit shutout, with two walks and nine strikeouts.

Shoemaker's season ended on a nasty comebacker to the head in early September, but he had a good season when he was on the mound. His best performance was July 16, when he helped the Angels to a 1-0 victory over the White Sox with a shutout. He allowed six hits and struck out 13 batters.

Andriese was a versatile piece for the Rays' pitching staff this season and had his best performance against Oakland on May 14. He threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits with five strikeouts.

Perhaps Fernandez's best outing of his career was also his last following a tragic boating accident. He allowed only three hits in eight scoreless innings on Sept. 20, finishing with 12 strikeouts against the Nationals.

Graveman's season has been an enigma for him and the A's, with lots of ups and downs. In one of his up performances, he threw a two-hit shutout against the White Sox, fanning five batters and only requiring 98 pitches.

Fulmer had an impressive rookie season for the Tigers, including a four-hit shutout at Texas. He fanned nine batters and picked up the win.