Reid Detmers (SP-LAA) tossed a gem in Boston on Tuesday, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while racking up 9 punchouts on 112 pitches (73 strikes). The 27 year-old southpaw has quietly put together a strong 2026 campaign as he now boasts a 3.32 ERA, 10.2 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, and 3.41 xFIP across 168 IP. Detmers has recorded a strong 12.5% swinging-strike rate as he's gotten hitters to chase a good bit (33%) and has limited their overall contact rate to 74.5% while recording a 29% whiff rate. There's been some loud contact (7.5% barrel and 38% hard-hit), but Detmers has offset that by missing bats (28% strikeout rate) and limiting free passes (6.8% walk rate). Encouragingly, Detmers has improved as the season has advanced, logging a 1.52 ERA, 10 K/9, 1.52 BB/9, and 2.86 xFIP in his last 53.1 IP entering Tuesday's start. He should be started against the Mariners on Monday and his stock is rising for 2027.
Sean Burke (SP-PIT) got lit up by the Pirates on Tuesday as he yielded 7 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out a pair over just 1.1 IP. The 26 year-old RHP did keep the ball in the yard as he tossed 31 of his 48 offerings for strikes in the contest. Burke has now yielded 4+ ER in 3 out of his last 5 outings while putting together no quality starts during that span. On the season, he owns a 3.58 ERA, 9.8 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 3.96 xFIP across 156 IP. While Burke's chase rate is up to a career-best 32%, his swinging-strike rate remains meh at 11% while the opposition's overall (77%) and in-zone (85.5%) contact rates remain healthy. Encouragingly, he's yielded the least loud contact of his career, with his 37.5% hard-hit rate, 7.5% barrel, and average EV of 89 mph all career lows. Perhaps the career high in IP at the MLB level is at least partly to blame here, but Burke's underlying metrics don't really support a 10ish K/9 while his control remains spotty. He's tough to trust at St. Louis on Sunday even though the Cardinals rank 21st in the majors in team OPS (.685) since the All-Star break.
Andrew Painter (SP-PHI) regressed against the Astros on Tuesday as he surrendered 5 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks while recording 6 punchouts over 5 IP. The 23 year-old RHP served up a pair of homers while firing 66 of his 98 offerings for strikes. Since being recalled to the majors on July 31st, Painter had allowed more than 3 ER in an outing only once in 7 starts entering Tuesday's outing, but loud contact that included two dingers did him in. On the year, he now owns a 5.71 ERA, 7.9 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 4.36 xFIP across 110.1 IP. There's likely a bit of bad luck at play here in a 67.5% strand rate and 14% HR/FB, but Painter hasn't missed a lot of bats (11% swinging-strike rate and 86% in-zone contact rate). However, he's largely limited loud contact as Statcast shows a 35.5% hard-hit rate, 7.5% barrel rate, and average EV of 87.5 mph. His 33.5% chase rate is another plus. It's tough to trust Painter as he prepares to face the Braves in Atlanta on Sunday.
Michael Wacha (SP-KC) put together a quality start against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday but did not factor into the decision, throwing 6 shutout IP in which he scattered 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4 on 93 pitches (58 strikes). The 35 year-old RHP now owns a nice 3.25 ERA and 2.4 BB/9 through 182.2 IP on the year, but his 4.25 xFIP and 7.2 K/9 are less exciting numbers. Indeed, a .254 BABIP and 79% strand rate are contributing to the gap between his ERA and xFIP while his 9.5% swinging-strike rate is his lowest since 2022 and his 87.5% in-zone contact rate is his highest as a major leaguer. To his credit, Wacha has limited the loud contact to the tune of a 36.5% hard-hit rate and 7% barrel rate. Will his good fortune continue in Houston on Tuesday? The outlook for 2027 is also murky.
Jac Caglianone (1B/OF-KC) remained out of the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks as he continues to recover from a left flexor (elbow) strain. With the team scheduled for a day off on Thursday following Wednesday's series finale with Arizona, it seems likely that the team rests him at least until the weekend series in Boston. Fantasy owners certainly look forward to getting the 23 year-old slugger back as he's hitting .283 with 23 HR, 70 RBI, 66 R, and 6 SB across 510 PA in his sophomore campaign. His 25.5% strikeout rate against just a 6% walk rate is not exciting as Caglianone's chase (39%), whiff (29%), overall contact (73%), in-zone contact (84.5%), and swinging-strike (14.5%) rates do not bode well for the average going forward. But his quality of contact metrics are elite as he's used his elite bat speed of 77.2 mph to generate a 54.5% hard-hit rate, 13.5% barrel rate, and average EV of 93 mph. Caglianone should top 30 HR over a full season soon, but can he keep the average north of .260?
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