Kyle Harrison (SP-MIL) was electric against his former team on Tuesday, holding the Giants to 1 run on 4 hits and a pair of walks while piling up a dozen punchouts across 5.2 IP. The 24 year-old southpaw yielded one homer while firing 70 of his 106 pitches for strikes in the outing. Harrison has been a pleasant surprise so far in 2026 as he now boasts a 1.57 ERA, 11.5 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and 2.82 xFIP through his first 57.1 IP (11 starts) of the season. He's certainly benefited from a 92% strand rate and 7.5% HR/FB, but the dude has allowed very little loud contact (29% hard-hit, 4.5% barrel, and average exit velo of 88.5 mph per Statcast) while he's logged a robust 13.5% swinging-strike rate to go with a low 73% overall contact rate and 83% in-zone contact rate while his chase rate is a career-high 34.5%. Oh, and there's the much-improved control (3.5 BB/9 last season, 3 career). Seems legit, but an always-dicey trip to Coors is on tap for this coming weekend.
Noah Cameron (SP-KC) was sharp in a no-decision at Cincinnati on Tuesday, allowing just 1 run (on a solo shot) on 1 hit and no walks while recording 8 punchouts on 87 pitches (61 strikes). The 26 year-old lefty has now earned a quality start in 3 of his last 4 outings while allowing 6 runs on 14 hits and 3 walks while fanning 24 across those last 24 IP. On the year, Cameron owns a 4.22 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and 3.70 xFIP across 59.2 IP (11 starts) as a 66% strand rate has inflated his ERA a little. In fairness, Cameron has yielded a good bit of loud contact (44% hard-hit rate, 10.5% barrel, and average exit velo of 90 mph per Statcast) while his 10% swinging-strike rate is down from last season's 11.5% and the opposition's overall (78%) and in-zone (85.5%) contact rates are up a touch (75.5% and 84% last year, respectively). It's not an exciting profile, but a solid mid-rotation type overall for fantasy. Cameron lines up to face the Twins in Minnesota on Sunday.
Jack Flaherty (SP-DET) was solid across 5 shutout IP against the Rays on Tuesday, scattering 5 hits and 2 walks while fanning 6 on 94 pitches (56 strikes). The 30 year-old righty has endured a rough season as he now owns a 5.31 ERA, 10.9 K/9, 5 BB/9, and 4.50 xFIP through 57.2 IP (13 starts). The control has obviously been the biggest issue, but Flaherty has also surrendered a good bit of loud contact as Statcast shows a 47.5% hard-hit rate and average exit velo north of 91 mph - both of which are career worsts - while the opposition's 9.5% barrel rate is one of the highest of his career. Also concerning is a 10% swinging-strike rate (12.5% career) as the opposition's 84.5% in-zone contact rate is among the highest of his career. In short, there are a lot of issues here as Flaherty prepares to face the Twins early next week.
Shane Baz (SP-BAL) earned the win at Boston on Tuesday as he allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while recording 6 punchouts over 7 IP. The 26 year-old RHP kept the ball in the yard as he fired 64 of his 94 pitches for strikes. Baz has now rattled off four straight quality starts, and during that span he's allowed 7 runs on 19 hits and 10 walks while fanning 25 across 27 IP. Through 12 starts, he now owns a 4.29 ERA, 8 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, and 4.29 xFIP in 71.1 IP. His 8.5% swinging-strike rate is a concern (11% career) while the opposition's 81.5% overall and 93.5% in-zone contact rates are both career highs. Meanwhile, his Statcast profile is almost identical to last season's with a 40% hard-hit rate, 9.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 90.5 mph. Baz is toeing the line of fantasy relevance, and fantasy owners will have to consider him on a start-by-start basis. Up next is a challenging matchup in Toronto.
Walbert Urena (SP-LAA) is an interesting option for fantasy on Wednesday as he prepares to take on the Rockies at home. The 22 year-old RHP has logged a 2.44 ERA, 8.3 K/9, 5.1 BB/9, and 4.41 xFIP in 44.1 IP, with his control being a significant concern. To his credit, Urena has missed bats (12% swinging-strike rate) while getting opposing hitters to chase (33% o-swing%) and keeping them to a reasonable 84.5% in-zone contact rate. He's also limited the loud contact to the tune of a 32.5% hard-hit rate, 6.5% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 87 mph. This call is at least as much about his opponent for while the Rockies rank 14th overall in team OPS (.716) so far this season, that lineup has been considerably less productive away from Coors field as Colorado comes in at 26th in the majors in team OPS on the road (.667).
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