There are very few starting pitchers in Major League Baseball who have enjoyed a better start to 2022 than Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan. Through the first eight weeks of the season, McClanahan ranks in the 95th percentile in whiff rate, the 91st percentile in chase rate, the 98th percentile in strikeout rate and the 94th percentile for xwOBA. Additionally, after ranking in the bottom two percentile for average exit velocity last season, McClanahan is giving up an average exit velocity of just 87.5 mph on his pitches this season. McClanahan is a must-start every time that he makes a pitching appearance.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan dazzled in the team's 4-2, 10-inning victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out 11. His strikeout total matched his season-high, but this was easily his most impressive outing of the year. Through seven starts, the southpaw has gone 2-2 with a 2.52 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He has a 38.2% strikeout rate, which ranks in the 96th percentile of the league. Additionally, the average velocity on his primary pitch, his four-seam fastball, is up slightly from 96.4 mph last year to 97.0 mph this year. The 25-year-old will look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan had a fantastic outing against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. He pitched seven innings and allowed six hits, no walks and two earned runs while striking out seven. He earned his first win of the year as the Rays took the game 5-2. This was McClanahan's second consecutive quality start and he didn't walk a single batter across either of the two quality outings. Through four games on the year, the left-hander is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. He's averaging a whopping 12.7 K/9. He'll make his next start next Saturday against the Minnesota Twins.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan took a no-decision in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Cubs. McClanahan did earn a quality start, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits (including a two-run home run) and no walks with nine strikeouts over 6 innings pitched. The 24-year-old now has a stellar 2.40 ERA with 24 strikeouts and five walks across his first three starts and 15 IP. Hopefully, the Rays will allow McClanahan to continue to pitch deeper into games, as Monday was the first time he pitched beyond 4 2/3 innings this season. He should be a higher-end fantasy starter if he can go long enough to be eligible for wins, given his strong ERA and strikeout metrics. His next start will be a tougher matchup against the Red Sox at home.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan took the loss Wednesday against Oakland, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out eight batters. All the damage came in the form of a three-run home run off the bat of Sean Murphy, spoiling an otherwise dominant performance. Through two outings, McClanahan has a 3.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in nine innings, numbers that illustrate his considerable upside. The challenge for fantasy managers will be how early the Rays tend to remove their starters, as wins and quality starts may be harder to come by for the lefty.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that starting pitcher Shane McClanahan will start on Opening Day on April 8 against the Baltimore Orioles. McClanahan earns the first start of the season with ace Tyler Glasnow recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 24-year-old left-hander was a former first-round pick and had a very impressive rookie season, posting a 3.43 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, a 27.3% strikeout rate and a 7.2% walk rate in 25 starts covering 123 1/3 innings pitched. He has the potential to develop into a upper-tier fantasy starter, but given his age and inexperience, his fantasy upside is likely to be limited while on an innings cap in 2022. But the Opening Day matchup against the O's is an excellent one in DFS and season-long formats.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan allowed five earned runs on five hits and one walk over 2/3 of an inning in Game 4 of the American League Division series 6-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision. The 24-year-old followed opener Collin McHugh and entered the game in the third inning. The 24-year-old allowed a hit to six of eight batters he faced, including serving up a three-run blast to Rafael Devers. McClanahan pitched on short rest for the first time this season and was removed after 28 pitches. The Rays left-hander had an impressive rookie campaign, owning a (10-6) record along with a 3.43 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 141 strikeouts over 123 1/3 innings in 2021. McClanahan will be a top-25 pitcher off the board in upcoming 2022 fantasy baseball drafts.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (1-0) allowed five hits while striking out three over five scoreless innings in Game 1 of the American League Division Series 5-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. He didn't walk anyone and picked up his first career postseason win on Thursday. The 24-year-old threw 82 pitches, landing 55 for strikes. McClanahan had an impressive rookie campaign, owning a 3.43 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 141 strikeouts over 123 1/3 innings, and continues his regular-season success in the playoffs. The Rays left-hander will draw the start if Game 5 of the ALDS is necessary.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan allowed a run on three hits while striking out three across three innings in Friday's 4-3 win over the New York Yankees. He did not factor into the decision. The southpaw was removed from the game after just 43 pitches as the Rays manage his workload heading into the playoffs. McClanahan has been one of the Rays most reliable pitchers, owning a 3.43 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 141:37 K:BB in 123 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old is expected to be the Rays ace next season and should be a top-25 pitcher off the board in next season's drafts.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out three over five innings during Saturday's 7-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. He picked up his 10th win of the season. His only mistake was yielding a solo shot to Miguel Rojas in the third inning. The southpaw threw 84 pitches, firing 55 for strikes. McClanahan cruised through his last three frames by retiring eight of the final nine batters he faced. The 24-year-old owns a 3.44 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 138:37 K: BB across 120 1/3 innings in 2021. McClanahan is scheduled to meet the New York Yankees in his final start of the season on Friday.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (9-6) allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven during Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers. He was activated ahead of Sunday's start against the Tigers after spending the 10-day minimum on the injured list. The left-hander was brilliant on Sunday, limiting Detroit to two hits over five innings while fanning seven. His only mistake was surrendering a solo shot to Tigers catcher Eric Haase in the fourth inning. Tampa Bay was unable to muster any runs against Wily Peralta, saddling McClanahan with the loss. The southpaw owns a 3.51 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 135:36 K: BB over 115 1/3 innings in 2021. McClanahan is scheduled to start in Saturday's game against the Marlins. The 24-year-old has been the Rays most reliable pitcher, and managers can start him with confidence in the fantasy baseball playoffs.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. The lefty-hander is dealing with back stiffness after battling through Wednesday's outing. It sounds like this is a precautionary move and the organization is hopeful that McClanahan will only miss one start. Chris Archer will likely move into the rotation, while Dietrich Enns takes the active roster spot. Archer isn't going to be much of a streaming option. Fantasy managers should hold McClanahan through the injury.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan allowed three hits and one walk while striking out three across five innings during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He did not factor into the decision. The southpaw bounced back on Wednesday after surrendering four runs in his previous start against Boston. McClanahan limited the Red Sox to three singles over five scoreless innings. He threw 68 pitches, landing 44 for strikes. The 24-year-old has been the Rays most reliable pitcher and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last 10 starts. He owns a 3.59 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 128:34 K: BB over 110 1/3 innings in 2021. McClanahan is set to face the Toronto Blue Jays on the road in his next start on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (9-5) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight over five innings during Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The southpaw struck out a season-high eight batters and allowed four earned runs for the first time since June 2. All four runs against McClanahan came via singles. The 24-year-old threw 88 pitches, landing 63 for strikes. Despite Thursday's hiccup, McClanahan has been the Rays' most reliable starter in 2021. Overall, he owns a 3.76 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 125 strikeouts over 105 1/3 innings. McClanahan will look for better results in a rematch against Boston next week.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (9-4) allowed two earned runs on eight hits while striking out four across six innings during Friday's 6-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He picked up his ninth win of the season on Friday. His only mistake was surrendering a two-run shot to Orioles outfielder Austin Hays in the fifth inning. The southpaw has now allowed three earned runs or less in 13 straight starts. The 24-year-old has been the Rays' most consistent pitcher in 2021, owning a 3.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 10.5 K/9 over 100 1/3 innings in 2021. McClanahan remains a strong fantasy option and is scheduled to face the Boston Red Sox at home next Wednesday.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (8-4) allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out eight during Thursday's 7-2 win over the Orioles. He earned his eighth win of the season. The southpaw limited the Orioles to one run on five hits while fanning eight to earn his eighth win of the year. He threw 79 pitches, firing 54 for strikes. The rookie pitcher has now gone 12 straight starts allowing three runs or less. McClanahan has become the Rays' most reliable pitcher in 2021, owning a 3.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts over 94 1/3 innings in 2021. The 24-year-old will look to keep things rolling in his next start, away against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan allowed two earned runs while striking out six across 5 1/3 innings pitched in a 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins Friday night. The 24-year-old was a bit fortunate to limit the damage, as he allowed eight hits and two walks en route to his seventh win of the season. The start marked McClanahan's 11th in a row allowing three earned runs or less during his impressive rookie season. He will carry a 3.73 ERA and 105 K over 89 1/3 innings into his next start against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (6-4) allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight across seven innings to earn the win during Saturday's 12-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He limited the Orioles to three runs across a career-high seven frames to pick up his sixth win of the year. The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the Rays' most reliable starting pitchers. "I think he came in as a pretty special pitcher," said Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I think he's learning as he goes. We think really, really highly of him for a good reason." McClanahan has been impressive in his rookie campaign, owning a 3.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 99:28 K: BB across 84 innings. The southpaw will look to keep things rolling in a plus matchup against the Twins on the road Thursday.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (5-4) allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven across six innings, earning the win during Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Red Sox. The 24-year-old limited the Red Sox offense to four hits, and his only mistake was surrendering a solo shot to Hunter Renfroe in the fourth inning. He threw 88 pitches, landing 62 for strikes. The southpaw has now allowed three earned runs or less in each of his last nine starts. McClanahan has been terrific in 2021, owning 3.74 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 91:27 K: BB across 77 innings. He will look to keep the momentum going in Saturday's away start against the Orioles.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan (4-4) allowed three earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out six across six innings during Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees. He was tagged with his fourth loss of the season. The southpaw allowed a season-high nine hits on Tuesday and was removed from the contest after 89 pitches. He hadn't allowed more than four hits in his previous five starts. McClanahan owns a 3.93 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and an 84:25 K: BB across 71 innings in 2021. The 24-year-old will look for better results in his next start Sunday, home against the Red Sox.