32 Brandon McCarthy SP

McCarthy (5-2) allowed one earned run on four hits while walking two and striking out five across 5.2 innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Phillies.

McCarthy remained one step ahead of the Phillies; lineup Tuesday night, retiring the first hitter to come to the plate in all six innings he pitched. He relied on groundball outs and a few timely strikeouts on the occasions that he found himself in a jam, with the only run crossing the plate on a Cesar Hernandez single in the fifth inning. After getting roughed up for 14 earned runs across 8.1 innings, McCarthy has now gone 11.2 innings and allowed only two earned runs in his past two starts.

McCarthy struck out eight and held the Cubs to just one run on five hits and two walks through six innings but was stuck with a no-decision Wednesday night.

McCarthy responded from a pair of stinkers his last two times out against Miami and San Francisco in which he allowed a combined 14 runs on 23 hits over just 8.1 innings. This time, facing one of the best offenses in the National League, McCarthy set a season high in strikeouts and fired his first quality start since his second time out, all the way back on April 6 against the Rockies. McCarthy still owns a 5.05 ERA, but he'll try to keep things trending in the right direction next time out Monday against the Phillies.

McCarthy (4-2) gave up six runs on 11 hits in Friday's loss to the Marlins, striking out three and walking two in five innings.

This was the second consecutive loss for McCarthy, and he has allowed 14 runs across his last 8.1 innings. In his first six starts of the season, McCarthy went at least five innings and allowed no more than three runs. With the rough outing, the right-hander's ERA has swelled to 5.58 and opponents are hitting .331 off him. He'll look to get things right in his next start against the Cubs at home.

McCarthy (4-1) took the loss against the Giants on Saturday, surrendering eight runs on 12 hits and a walk over 3.1 innings while striking out two.

He was able to escape the first inning unscathed after getting Buster Posey to ground into a double play, but after that nothing seemed to work for McCarthy, who managed only four swinging strikes in his 78 pitches (53 strikes). The 34-year-old will get a chance to shave down his 4.84 ERA in his next start Friday in Miami.

McCarthy (4-0) was credited with the win Sunday against the Phillies. He allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings.

McCarthy needed 96 pitches to work through his 5.1 frames but was able to turn things over to the bullpen with the Braves holding a 6-1 lead. The 34-year-old currently owns a strong 3.09 ERA but has notched just 31 strikeouts over 37.1 innings and has pitched long enough to qualify for a quality start in just one of his six starts this season. He's been a nice asset for the Braves during the season's first month but doesn't provide much upside in the fantasy realm. He'll take on the Giants on Friday.