An unknown pitcher will likely decide the fate of baseball’s best division.

With a four-team (Mets, Phillies, Braves, Nationals) battle royal playing out in the NL East, each team will likely need pitching upgrades over the course of the season.

For Washington and Atlanta, a top-tier bullpen arm like, say, Craig Kimbrel feels like a bigger need than starting pitching.

In New York and Philadelphia, one more starting pitching option could mean the difference between October or missing out on the playoffs—and Texas Rangers lefty Mike Minor could be that arm.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, both teams are interested in Minor.

The New York #Mets and Philadelphia #Phillies are showing strong interest in Texas #Rangers ace Mike Minor, who is off to a dazzling start. He pitched a 3-hit CG shutout Tuesday vs. #Angels, and has a 1.27 ERA in his last three starts. He's owed $9.5 million this year and in 2020 — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 17, 2019

Minor, 31, is off to a great start (27.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, 3.90 FIP) early this season. That’s a continuation of solid pitching for the Rangers that started in last season’s second half (2.97 ERA, 3.79 SO/BB). The former Brave and Royal has bounced back from early-career injuries and a detour into relief work.

If Minor landed in New York, the lefty could replace Jason Vargas and eliminate any weak links in the Mets rotation.

For the Phillies, Minor could provide cover if youngsters Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez, Nick Pivetta and Jerad Eickhoff aren’t up to the task of pitching for a contender with a big-time offense and huge expectations.

Minor comes with team control through the 2020 season. The veteran is slated to make $9.8M both this season and next year.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.