New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker made his final start of the 2021 season Wednesday, throwing 7 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on two hits and three walks to the Miami Marlins. He struck out five batters and took a no-decision in the 3-2 loss. Walker had gone four straight appearances without a quality start entering this outing, and he'd scuffled to a 7.13 ERA in 13 starts since the All-Star break. Walker has plenty of upside, but he's a risky investment entering 2022.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker allowed two earned runs on three hits, including a home run, over five innings pitched in the Mets 4-3 loss to the Phillies on Friday. Walker did not allow a walk and struck out three in the outing. While he did not pitch poorly, he once again failed to post a quality start and still has not picked up a win since the All-Star break. It has truly been a tale of two seasons for Walker. In the first half of the season, Walker went 7-3 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 95:30 K:BB ratio over 94 2/3 innings pitched in 16 starts. By contrast, in the second half, Walker has gone 0-7 with a brutal 7.04 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and a 45:20 K:BB ratio over 55 IP. While this huge difference can potentially be chalked up to fatigue, it is of no consequence to those fantasy managers who were relying on Walker in the second half of the season. At this point, Walker is nothing more than a streamer based on matchup. Walker next lines up to face the Brewers in Milwaukee next Friday where he should likely be faded.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker allowed five earned runs on six hits, including three homers, and one walk over six innings pitched in the Mets 8-7 loss to the crosstown Yankees on Saturday. Walker, who did strike out eight batters, did not factor into the decision. It has been an uneven season for Walker who was a 2021 N.L. All-Star. After an excellent first half of the season, Walker has fallen back to Earth in the second half. Over his last seven games, Walker is 0-4 with a 5.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 34:12 K:BB ratio over 40 2/3 IP. He has also posted an ugly 9.58 ERA in two September starts following an August in which he posted a 4.15 ERA. On the season, Walker now owns a 4.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 23 home runs allowed, and 137 strikeouts over 144 2/3 IP in 26 starts (27 games). Walker, who was a pleasant surprise for the Mets and fantasy managers earlier this season, should now be treated as a streaming starter based on matchups down the stretch in September. He can help fantasy managers with outing.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker allowed three earned runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings pitched in the Mets 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Monday. The game played was a resumption of a suspended game (due to weather) between the two teams from April 11. Marcus Stroman had started the game back on April 11 and recorded an out prior to the game's suspension. Walker was called on to pitch the resumed game, so his appearance will not go down as a game started for him. It was an uneven appearance for Walker where he was touched up for three runs but did not walk a batter and struck out six. On the season, Walker now owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 123 strikeouts over 134 1/3 IP in 24 starts (25 games). Walker, who has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets and fantasy managers in 2021, should remain active in all fantasy formats down the stretch in September.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker went 6-plus innings pitched in the Mets 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, yielding just two hits, one walk, and two earned runs (three runs total). Walker was questionably removed by manager Luis Rojas in the seventh inning after just 74 pitches and a 2-1 lead. He had been cruising through six innings and was removed after a batter reached on an error and a bloop single to right field. Reliever Aaron Loup (who has been lights-out recently) entered the game and promptly gave up a two-run double to shortstop Brandon Crawford which proved to be the difference in the game. Walker took the loss and his record fell to 7-9 on the season. Despite taking the hard-luck loss on Wednesday, courtesy of a very questionable decision by Rojas, Walker remains a must-start in all fantasy formats. Walker now owns a 3.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts over 129 2/3 IP in 24 starts.

On Thursday, New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker went 6 innings pitched in the Mets 4-1 loss to the Dodgers, allowing four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four. It was a disappointing start for Walker who was stellar in his previous outing against the Dodgers. After posting two quality starts in a row, Walker was unable to do it for a third straight start as his record fell to 7-8 on the season. Walker now owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts over 123 2/3 IP in 23 starts. Despite his failure to pick up a quality start on Thursday, Walker should remain active in fantasy lineups. Of course, it gets no easier for the 29-year-old who draws the San Francisco Giants at home on Wednesday in his next outing.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker went 6 2/3 innings pitched in the Mets 2-1 loss to the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing just one earned run on two hits and three walks. Walker allowed no hits through 6 1/3 IP before Dodgers catcher Will Smith broke up the no-hitter and shut out with a solo home run. Walker struck out eight batters, aided by a devastating splitter. Unfortunately, the Mets would go on to lose the game in ten innings. Walker did not factor into the decision. Saturday's outing was the second quality start in a row for Walker, after a rough patch of four starts immediately following the All-Star break. Walker now owns a 3.75 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 110 strikeouts over 117 2/3 IP in 22 starts. With his second quality start in a row, against a formidable lineup no less, it appears Walker has left his July struggles behind. He can be reinserted into fantasy lineups for his next start against these same Dodgers in Los Angeles on Thursday.

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker continued his second-half floudering Tuesday, yielding four runs on eight hits and two walks to the Miami Marlins in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four batters and allowed two home runs. Through his first 17 starts of the season, Walker had allowed six home runs, but he's allowed seven in just his last three starts. The all-star's ERA and WHIP have risen to 3.86 and 1.23 on the year, and he has to be left on fantasy benches until he gets his performance back in order.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Patiño outpitched Gerrit Cole, Brett Phillips hit a grand slam during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by routing the New York Yankees 14-0 on Thursday. Patiño (2-2) allowed three hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent Blake Snell to San Diego last December, struck out eight and walked two. Cole (10-6) gave up a season-high eight runs — seven earned — on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and saw his ERA jump from 2.74 to 3.11. He had 10 strikeouts and two walks. Austin Meadows homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rays. Louis Head and Ryan Sherriff completed a four-hitter. All nine batters in the Rays’ lineup reached base in the sixth. It was the biggest scoring inning by Tampa Bay since a 10-run fifth at Miami on June 5, 2008. NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1, GAME 1 PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 8, 8 INNINGS, GAME 2 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Patiño outpitched Gerrit Cole, Brett Phillips hit a grand slam during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by routing the New York Yankees 14-0 on Thursday. Patiño (2-2) allowed three hits in six innings. The 21-year-old right-hander, acquired in the trade that sent Blake Snell to San Diego last December, struck out eight and walked two. Cole (10-6) gave up a season-high eight runs — seven earned — on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and saw his ERA jump from 2.74 to 3.11. He had 10 strikeouts and two walks. Austin Meadows homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rays. Louis Head and Ryan Sherriff completed a four-hitter. All nine batters in the Rays’ lineup reached base in the sixth. It was the biggest scoring inning by Tampa Bay since a 10-run fifth at Miami on June 5, 2008. NATIONALS 3, PHILLIES 1, GAME 1 PHILLIES 11, NATIONALS 8, 8 INNINGS, GAME 2 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered a signature performance in... [More]

New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker continued his recent struggles on Thursday. He allowed five earned runs on six hits, including two home runs, and two walks over five innings pitched in the Mets 6-3 loss to the Braves. Walker, now 7-5 on the season, was solid through the first three innings of the contest but fell apart in the fourth and fifth innings. Though he did strike out seven batters, Walker continues to pitch poorly coming out of the All-Star break. Over his last three starts, Walker has allowed 16 earned runs on 18 hits and eight walks in just 9 1/3 IP. Boasting a 2.50 ERA back on July 9, Walker's ERA has now risen to 3.71 on the season. His WHIP has also risen to 1.20 on the season, up from 1.03 back on July 9. Fantasy managers may wish to sit Walker for his next scheduled start on Tuesday in Miami, despite the fact it is a favorable matchup. Fantasy managers should likely sideline Walker until he shows signs of regaining his first-half mojo.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ WESTERN STARS Buster Posey and the surprising San Francisco Giants continue their pivotal four-game series against the rival Dodgers. The star catcher hit a two-run homer his first time up Monday night after missing two weeks with a bruised left thumb, and San Francisco won the opener 7-2 in Los Angeles after putting All-Star shortstop Brandon Crawford on the 10-day injured list due to an oblique strain. The Giants, in first place since May 31, lead the NL West by two games over the defending World Series champion Dodgers. Alex Wood (8-3, 3.67 ERA) pitches for San Francisco against his former team. The funky left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA this month. ALL CLEAR Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola returns to the mound in New York against the Yankees after missing his last scheduled start because of COVID-19 contact tracing. Nola never tested positive for the coronavirus but was sidelined after teammate Alec Bohm did July... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday: ALL CLEAR Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola returns to the mound in New York against the Yankees after missing his last scheduled start because of COVID-19 contact tracing. Nola never tested positive for the coronavirus but was sidelined after teammate Alec Bohm tested positive on July 10 in Boston. Nola is 6-5 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 starts for the Phillies, who entered Monday's play two games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East. Domingo Germán (4-5, 4.72) pitches for the Yankees. SERVING HIS TIME The NL East-leading New York Mets will continue their series at Cincinnati without manager Luis Rojas, whose outburst after a bizarre play Sunday in Pittsburgh led to a two-game suspension. Rojas was livid at umpires for calling a ball fair that starting pitcher Taijuan Walker swatted toward the dugout, thinking it was foul. The gaffe led to three Pirates crossing the plate when no Mets player went to retrieve the... [More]

In a matchup between two of the American League's top teams, Lucas Giolito and Carlos Rodón helped the Chicago White Sox fight back against Houston's powerful offense. Giolito pitched a three-hitter in Chicago's 10-1 victory Saturday, then Rodón allowed one hit in seven innings Sunday as the White Sox blanked Houston 4-0. Those two victories came after the Astros swept a four-game series against the White Sox last month and beat Chicago 7-1 on Friday night. The White Sox (56-36) now have the best record in the American League, and they lead the AL Central by eight games. Houston (56-38) has a 3 1/2-game advantage atop the AL West. The Astros lead the major leagues in runs despite Alex Bregman's injury problems and George Springer's offseason departure. Houston finished the 2020 regular season with a sub-.500 record but still came within a victory of reaching the World Series thanks to the expanded playoffs. The Astros again look formidable this year. If they face Chicago in the playoffs,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alcides Escobar homered in the eighth inning and hit a winning single in the ninth Sunday as the Washington Nationals wrapped up a disturbing weekend with an 8-7 win over the San Diego Padres. A day after the game was suspended in the sixth inning because of a shooting outside Nationals Park, the Padres completed a 10-4 victory. Washington then came back to end a six-game losing streak. Tres Barrera singled off Mark Melancon (2-2) with one out in the ninth and, after failing on a bunt attempt, Victor Robles was hit by pitch. Escobar hit a flyball that center fielder Trent Grisham couldn’t corral and Barrera scored. Brad Hand (5-2) earned the victory. Juan Soto joined Josh Harrison with three hits and added a two-run homer. Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer and Jackson Profar homered for the Padres. Nationals ace Max Scherzer allowed four runs on four hits in seven innings. He struck out eight. In the completion of Saturday's suspended game, Fernando Tatis Jr. had his third four-hit... [More]