6 months agoKansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro announced on Tuesday that veteran right-hander
Michael Wacha will start Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium against the New York Yankees. Wacha will be hoping to bounce back against the Yankees at home this time after allowing three earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out three in four innings in Game 1 on Saturday in the Bronx in a no-decision. The 33-year-old veteran was better at home in 2024 with the Royals, sporting a 2.89 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 14 innings at Kauffman Stadium, as opposed to a 3.78 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 15 starts on the road. Wacha has struggled in the playoffs in his career, though, posting a 5.36 ERA with nine home runs allowed in nine appearances (seven starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
6 months agoKansas City Royals right-hander
Michael Wacha has been tabbed to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Left-hander
Cole Ragans, who dealt with cramping in his calf in his outing against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday, is lined up to start in Game 2 on Monday. Wacha will be opposed by Yankees ace
Gerrit Cole. The 33-year-old veteran was solid for the third straight season in his first year with the Royals in 2024, going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 145:45 K:BB in 166 2/3 innings and 29 starts. He's not overpowering but continues to limit hard contact and pitch deep into games. Wacha did not face the Yankees at all this season but wasn't as good on the road, with a 3.78 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, 77 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings over 15 starts away from Kauffman Stadium. Wacha won't be a priority DFS sleeper for Saturday's Division Series slate.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
8 months agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha dominated on Saturday evening as he tossed six shutout frames while striking out a season-high nine batters. He allowed just four hits and one free pass. The veteran right-hander carried a modest 3.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 9:14 BB:K ratio across his previous four starts entering Saturday, and this stellar outing will get him back on track. Through his first season as a Royal, the 33-year-old has settled in quite well with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP through 127 innings of work. Wacha is currently lined up for a difficult matchup in his next start when the Royals play host to the Philadelphia Phillies next week. Wacha is still worth starting in deeper formats, but it may be best to leave him on your bench in shallower leagues, given the elite bats in the Philadelphia lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
8 months agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha turned in his third-straight quality start on Saturday evening against the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander tossed seven innings of two-run ball with five hits and two walks while striking out six batters. Since the start of July, the 33-year-old has held a strong 2.78 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 12:26 BB:K ratio. This is a great sign as he posted a 3.91 ERA through most of the first half. While his strikeout rate has not been high, he has done very well in limiting hard contact at an excellent 32.5% rate. Wacha is worth adding in shallow formats while he continues to enjoy this hot stretch.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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