Fantasy News

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Hit with third loss

  Rotowire Apr 27, 2024

  Eflin (1-3) took the loss Friday after surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out four batters in six innings. Facing a White Sox offense that sports an MLB-worst .575 OPS, Eflin had a golden opportunity to pick up his second win of the season. Instead, he gave up two runs in the first five innings before surrendering a three-run homer to Martin Maldonado in the sixth that would ensure Chicago remained in the lead for the rest of the game. Eflin now holds a 4.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP after his rough outing and projects to make his next start Wednesday against a strong Milwaukee lineup.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Six scoreless against Yankees

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  Eflin allowed three hits over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Saturday. He struck out six without issuing a walk. Eflin was locked into a pitchers' duel with opposing starter Nestor Cortes, with neither factoring into the decision. As a result, Eflin still sits with just one win this season, though he's been doing his part with a 3.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:2 K:BB in 29.1 innings. A 16-game winner a season ago, Eflin will have a great opportunity to get back into the win column next week in a matchup against the White Sox in Chicago.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Logs 6.1 scoreless innings

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Eflin didn't factor into the decision Monday, allowing six hits and no walks with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings against the Angels. Eflin got his revenge against the Angels on Monday, holding them scoreless after allowing five runs in five innings against them on April 8. The 30-year-old has yielded mixed results through four starts, giving up at least five earned runs twice while surrendering one run over 12.2 innings during his other pair of starts. Despite the inconsistencies, Eflin's command has been impeccable, with two walks allowed in 23.1 innings. Eflin's projected for a start against the Yankees on Saturday.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Struggles in loss against Angels

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Eflin (1-2) took the loss against the Angels on Monday, allowing five runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out five batters over five innings. Eflin fell behind 2-0 in the first inning and was lifted after giving up another pair of runs on four hits in the fifth frame. He allowed five Angels to cross the plate overall, the second time through three starts that he's allowed at least that many runs. Eflin's ERA now sits at 6.35 through 17 innings on the campaign, and he's given up four homers thus far. The right-hander does have a nice 15:2 K:BB on the season, but he's struggling to follow up on last year's career-best 16-win campaign.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Rebounds with quality start

  Rotowire Apr 3, 2024

  Eflin (1-1) picked up the win over the Rangers on Tuesday after allowing one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 innings. Eflin needed just 69 pitches to get through six innings before running into some trouble in the seventh. He allowed two hits to the first three batters he faced that inning before a Jonah Heim single drove in the Rangers' first run of the day and led to Eflin being pulled from the game. It was a major bounce-back performance against one of the league's most dangerous lineups after Eflin struggled a bit in his first start of the year. He's lined up to take the mound on the road against the Angels early next week.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Struggles in 2024 opener

  Rotowire Mar 29, 2024

  Eflin (0-1) went 5.2 innings and allowed six runs on six hits and one walk to take the loss Thursday versus Toronto. He struck out five. Eflin was roughed up by the Blue Jays' potent offense, giving up solo home runs to George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero and Cavan Biggio after allowing just 19 homers in 31 starts last year. Most of the damage against Eflin came in the sixth, when he surrendered five of his six runs. Eflin is set for another test to begin 2024 with a matchup against the Rangers on tap for his next projected start.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Confirmed for Opening Day

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2024

  Eflin will start for the Rays on Opening Day, March 28 at home against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. This had been widely assumed after Eflin turned in a career year in 2023, leading the team in innings pitched, wins and strikeouts. We now have confirmation that Eflin will start Opening Day, which lines him up for two starts on the season-opening homestand. The results this spring don't look good, but the right-hander has already built up to four innings and should be able to stretch out a bit more before he takes the hill in a game that counts.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Builds up to four innings

  Rotowire Mar 12, 2024

  Eflin threw 63 pitches across four innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. Eflin was hit hard, surrendering eight hits and eight runs (four earned). However, he spoke after the outing and said that he was working on specific pitches and throwing them in unusual situations, which was the cause of the poor results, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Eflin specifically noted that he got a good feel for his curveball, a pitch he used very effectively in 2023. The Rays haven't officially named their Opening Day starter for a matchup against the Blue Jays, but he would be the most logical candidate.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Starting Game 2

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2023

  Eflin will start Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Rangers on Wednesday. One of the top breakout arms of 2023, Eflin finished strong with a 2.98 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 54 strikeouts over 45.1 innings in his final eight starts. Tyler Glasnow is starting Game 1.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Picks up 16th win

  Rotowire Sep 26, 2023

  Eflin (16-8) earned the win Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings against Boston. He struck out four. Eflin cruised through four innings Tuesday, holding the Red Sox scoreless until Enmanuel Valdez's three-run homer in the fifth. Still, the Rays were able to hang on to a 9-7 victory, giving Eflin his 16th win, third most in the Majors. The 29-year-old right-hander closed out the regular season on a high note, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last eight starts. Eflin will finish an impressive first year in Tampa with career bests in ERA (3.50), WHIP (1.02), strikeouts (186) and innings pitched (177.2).

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Notches 10 strikeouts

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2023

  Eflin struck out 10 and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win over Angels. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk over five innings. Eflin reached the double-digit strikeout mark for the third time this year. He has an active steak of seven straight starts allowing three runs or fewer, dating back to Aug. 19. Over that span, Eflin is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 50:6 K:BB over 40.1 innings. The 29-year-old has shined in his first season in Tampa Bay with a 3.44 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 182:24 K:BB over 172.2 innings. Assuming the Rays stick to their standard rotation, his next outing -- potentially last of the season -- should be at Boston.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Dominates Orioles

  Rotowire Sep 16, 2023

  Eflin (15-8) allowed one earned run on one hit and no walks while striking out eight across seven innings to earn the win Friday against the Orioles. In a pivotal series for the Rays, Eflin stepped up to deliver an excellent performance, marking the third time in his last 12 starts that he's managed to work at least seven innings. In that same span, he's allowed one run or zero on six occasions, a stretch that has helped him lock in a career-best year by nearly every statistical measure.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Grabs 14th win

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Eflin (14-8) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out six. Eflin wasn't at his best Sunday -- he's now allowed three runs over five innings in each of his last two starts. However, he did enough to earn his 14th win, tied for fifth-most in the league. Eflin's ERA now sits at 3.53 with a 1.05 WHIP and 164:23 K:BB across 28 starts (160.2 innings) this season. He's currently scheduled for a road matchup with the Orioles in his next outing.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Goes five innings in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 5, 2023

  Eflin did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Boston. He struck out seven. Eflin only managed to make it through five innings Tuesday after logging quality starts in five of his previous six outings. He's worked to a 2.97 ERA in his last seven starts, issuing just four walks in that span (39.1 innings). Overall, Eflin's 13-8 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 158:21 K:BB through 27 starts (155.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Mariners in his next outing.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Settles for no-decision

  Rotowire Aug 31, 2023

  Eflin pitched 6.1 scoreless innings against Miami on Wednesday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out four batters in a no-decision. Eflin was excellent in the outing, preventing the Marlins from putting on more than one baserunner in any inning. The right-hander notched his third straight quality start and was very efficient with just 69 pitches over 6.1 frames but had to settle for a no-decision since Miami starter Jesus Luzardo was nearly unhittable. Eflin lowered his season ERA to 3.40 with the standout start, and he's already set a career high with 13 victories. He's bounced back well from a three-inning, six-run dud against Cleveland on Aug. 13, posting a 1.47 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 18.1 frames over his subsequent three starts.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Strikes out 11 but takes loss

  Rotowire Aug 25, 2023

  Eflin (13-8) took a tough-luck loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over six frames versus the Yankees. He struck out 11. Eflin matched counterpart Gerrit Cole with a season-high 11 punchouts, but he exited with the Rays down one and the Yankees eventually pulled away to saddle Eflin with a loss. It was the right-hander's second double-digit strikeout game of the season after he fanned 10 Pirates back in early May. Eflin had a scare with his knee in late July but has bounced back with four superb starts in five August outings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Cruises to 13th victory

  Rotowire Aug 20, 2023

  Eflin (13-7) earned the win in an 18-4 victory over the Angels in the second game of a twin bill Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings. Neither team scored through three frames, but the Rays put six runs on the board between the fourth and fifth innings, and Eflin took advantage of the support. The right-hander allowed just one extra-base hit -- a Hunter Renfroe homer in the fifth frame -- and logged his 14th quality start of the campaign. He's won nine of those outings, helping to boost his season victory total to 13, tied for third-most in the majors. That's already a career high for Eflin, whose previous best win total was 11 with the Phillies in 2018.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Roughed up in short outing

  Rotowire Aug 14, 2023

  Eflin (12-7) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on nine hits and one walk over three innings against Cleveland. He struck out three. The Guardians were all over Eflin, who allowed multiple hits in each of his three innings, including four extra-base hits, two of which left the yard. It's been a bit of an up-and-down bag for Eflin over his past six starts, as he's allowed one or fewer runs over six or more innings in three of the appearances while allowing at least five runs over four or fewer innings in his other three games. He'll look for a rebound next weekend, as he's lined up for a road matchup with the Angels.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Ready to start Tuesday

  Rotowire Jul 30, 2023

  Eflin (knee) said he is "good to go" for his scheduled start against the Yankees on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The right-hander left his previous start Wednesday with left knee discomfort, but he's been cleared for his next turn through the rotation after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday with no issues. Eflin has surrendered five runs in two of his past three starts but still has a career-best 3.64 ERA through 20 outings this season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Zach Eflin: Throws off mound

  Rotowire Jul 29, 2023

  Eflin (knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The Rays wanted to test Eflin's left knee by having him throw off a mound after he tweaked the knee Wednesday versus the Marlins, and manager Kevin Cash said Eflin's session went well and the right-hander is "doing better." However, it remains unclear whether Eflin will be able to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees.

  ... See More ... See Less