Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) is lined up to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Veteran right-hander Michael Wacha will get the opener in Game 1 on Saturday. Ragans was forced from his outing in Game 1 of the Wild-Card series versus the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday due to left-calf cramping, but he still managed to throw six shutout innings in the victory and will be able to make his next start in the Division Series. Ragans was the Royals' ace in 2024, going 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 223 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings over his 32 starts. The 26-year-old southpaw faced the Yankees just once in 2024, picking up a quality start by allowing two earned runs with three walks and seven strikeouts in six innings pitched for a no-decision back on Sept. 11 in the Bronx. Ragans will be facing one of baseball's best offenses, but he has the stuff to shut them down if he's on.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) was pulled from his start early on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Game 1 of the wild-card series with left-calf cramps. Ragans said his leg cramped up with two batters left in his final inning and could have gone back out. He will be ready to go in the ALDS against the New York Yankees if the Royals advance past the Orioles this week. Before departing, Ragans threw six shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks and eight strikeouts to pick up the victory in the eventual 1-0 win. The 26-year-old southpaw was on his game on Tuesday and will now hope to pitch again versus the Yankees at some point next week. The former 30th overall pick of the Texas Rangers in 2016 was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and went 11-9 during 32 regular-season starts (186 1/3 innings) with a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a career-high 223 strikeouts as KC's ace.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf, hamstring) is penciled in to make his next scheduled start this Saturday against the Houston Astros. Ragans was pulled slightly early from his last start on Monday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians due to cramps in his left calf and hamstring. Manager Matt Quatraro downplayed the injury after the game, though, and the Royals were never really expecting the 26-year-old southpaw to miss his next turn through the rotation this weekend. While the matchup against the first-place Astros isn't the greatest by any means, Ragans has been a pretty reliable fantasy starter in 2024, going 10-8 with a 3.28 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 187 K's in 156 1/3 frames over his 27 starts. His lone start against the 'Stros came back on April 9, when he gave up three earned runs on 10 hits while walking one and fanning five in five innings in a no-decision.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf, hamstring) was pulled early from Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field with a left-calf/hamstring cramp. Ragans was pulled in the fifth inning after giving up a walk to open the frame. The 26-year-old southpaw went four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking four and striking out four. He didn't make it long enough to qualify for a victory in the team's 4-3 win. Although we don't know for sure yet, it doesn't seem like Ragans' injury is serious enough to keep him from making his next start for the Royals. His poor command in this one could have been attributed his calf/hamstring injury. Ragans has been a solid fantasy starter in all formats in 2024, as he came into Monday's game 10-8 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 183 K's in 152 1/3 innings over his 26 starts.UPDATE: Manager Matt Quatraro said Ragans is "fine" after he cramped up. The Royals were about to pull him from the game anyway, and there are no concerns health-wise about Ragans.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans logged a quality start in Wednesday's victory over the hosting division-rival Minnesota Twins at Target Field, striking out eight batters in the win. Ragans tossed seven innings of one-run ball on Wednesday against the Twins, allowing five hits and no walks en route to his 10th win of the year for the Royals. On the season as a whole, the 26-year-old All-Star left-hander owns a 3.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 174 punchouts and 47 walks over 25 starts (147 1/3 innings) in KC's rotation.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the Red Sox. The southpaw went six-and-a-third innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven. The 26-year-old is now 9-7 on the year with a 3.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 166 strikeouts (third-most) in 140 1/3 innings pitched. He'll get the Twins on the road in his next turn through the rotation, a team he's faced twice already this season. Over those two outings he's thrown 11 innings, allowing a total of four earned runs on 13 hits and four walks while striking out 16 batters.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans was outstanding in Friday night's victory over the hosting Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, fanning seven batters over seven innings of work in his start. Ragans allowed just one run on four hits and a walk on Friday against Boston, coming away with his sixth win of the season. The 26-year-old former first-round pick has proven to be the key coup to last season's Aroldis Chapman trade for the Royals, delivering an excellent 3.16 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 141 strikeouts and 28 walks across 20 starts (116 2/3 frames) in KC's impressive rotation this year. We'll see him next in Tuesday's All-Star Game in Arlington.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (5-5) struck out 11 in just six innings during Monday's 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins. Ragans recorded his 12th quality start, allowing one earned run on four hits and three walks as he improved his record to (5-5). He is third behind Tyler Glasnow of the Los Angeles Dodgers (135) and Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox (130) with 120 strikeouts over 98 innings. The Royals ace has been an anchor for fantasy managers this season. The 26-year-old owns a 3.05 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, with just 33 walks and six home runs allowed in 2024. Ragans will continue his run making batters swing and miss on Saturday when he faces the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans went six innings in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Athletics, allowing two earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven. It was Ragans' fourth straight quality start and seventh consecutive start in which he allowed three earned runs or fewer. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the good pitching hasn't translated to wins, as the southpaw hasn't recorded a victory since May 22. Still, the 26-year-old has a strong 3.13 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and the third-most strikeouts in all of baseball with 109 over 92 innings pitched. Ragans will get a favorable matchup in his next start, which lines up with the Miami Marlins at home next Monday.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans dominated the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, striking out nine over six innings of one-run ball in a 6-5 extra-innings loss. Ragans did all he could to get a win in this one, allowing just three hits and a walk, but the bullpen let him down. Outside of a couple blow-up starts, the 2023 breakout has lived up to expectations and then some this season. He now owns a 3.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 79 IP. He should be treated as a fantasy ace at this point.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans went six strong against the Padres on Sunday in a 4-3 win. Ragans didn't pick up the win as he left in a 1-1 tie, but he was solid enough to earn a quality start. The lefty allowed just one run on five hits and two walks while punching out six. It was his fourth start in a row allowing two or fewer earned runs while striking out six or more. While the ratios aren't eye-popping, his 3.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP are solid while his 89 strikeouts in 73 IP put him near the top of the leaderboard. He should be viewed as a high-end starter in fantasy, and buying him now might be worth a shot.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans looked impressive during Wednesday's outing against the Detroit Tigers. The left-hander recorded 12 strikeouts over six scoreless innings during Wednesday's win. Ragans allowed only one hit while walking three batters during this outing. He'll carry a 3.34 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 76/12 K/BB ratio across 11 starts this season. His next start will be against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans will aim to notch his third straight quality start on Saturday when he takes the hill against the Los Angeles Angels. Ragans has been living up to the potential the Royals were looking for when they traded for him last season. The lefty ranks third in K/9 among American League starters who have thrown at least 20 innings with an 11.39 K/9 behind only Garrett Crochet and Jack Flaherty. The lefty should continue to dominate and may even have room for improvement as his 3.38 ERA and 2.35 FIP suggest he could be even better. Fantasy managers and DFS players will want to target the lefty Saturday against the struggling Los Angeles Angels, who are only hitting for a .217 BA over the last seven days.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) is slated to make his next start on Monday against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Ragans dealt with cramping in his left calf in his most recent start last Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays after throwing 6 2/3 innings. It was obviously just a minor injury, and the 26-year-old southpaw is ready to go for his next turn through KC's rotation. With a two-start week on tap, fantasy managers are going to want to lock Ragans into their starting lineups this week despite coming off an injury in his last start. He's set to face the Los Angeles Angels this Saturday. Ragans is currently 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.36 WHIP while walking 13 and striking out 46 in 36 2/3 innings over his first seven starts of the season.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) left his start on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays early due to a left-calf cramp. Ragans made it through 6 2/3 innings and got the win despite his injury in the 4-1 victory, allowing four hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out nine. The 26-year-old southpaw didn't look to be too bothered by his injury after leaving the game, but fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on him as to whether he'll be available to make his next start. Ragans secured his second win of the season with the strong start against the Blue Jays on Tuesday and was able to lower his season ERA to 3.44 in the process. He's been a strong top-of-the rotation starter for KC and belongs on fantasy rosters in all formats.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans managed to earn his first win of the season as part of a weather-shortened, five-inning, 2-1 win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. It turns out the 26-year-old was the only pitcher the club needed on the afternoon as Ragans tossed five innings of one-run ball on three hits and three walks while striking out four on the day. The outing lowered his ERA to 3.90 through six starts while he has recorded 37 strikeouts against 10 walks across 30 innings of work. Claimed off waivers from the Rangers last season, Ragans broke out with a 2.64 ERA with 89 strikeouts against 27 walks across 12 starts and 71 2/3 innings in the Royals' rotation, making him a sought-after fantasy asset in drafts this spring.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans took a tough-luck no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles, but he threw 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball with seven strikeouts and two walks. Some believed Ragans may have been in for some regression in 2024, but he's passed his first two tests of the season with flying colors and is swiftly settling in as KC's ace. The 26-year-old former first-round pick has allowed a lone run with 16 punchouts over his first 12 1/3 frames of the campaign, which is good for a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP thus far. Since landing with the Royals last July as part of the Aroldis Chapman deal, Ragans has dazzled with a 2.46 ERA and 105 strikeouts while hurling at least six innings in 11 of his 14 appearances. He'll draw a tough assignment when the Houston Astros and right-hander Cristian Javier come to town for the start of a three-game series next Tuesday.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans delivered a solid opening day performance but ended up taking the loss in a 4-1 defeat against the Minnesota Twins. Ragans allowed just a pair of runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings of work. The control was a little iffy in this one, but the 2023 breakout star showed why he was being drafted in the top 100, flashing his brilliant stuff. He should be able to rack up strikeouts, and if he can command his pitches a little bit better he has a chance to be a fantasy ace.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans has been named the team's Opening Day starter. Ragans ascent has been something to behold, as he went from an afterthought with the Rangers to a bonafide stud almost immediately after joining the Royals. Although his spring numbers aren't quite on the level of his second-half numbers from last year, the 26-year-old has still flashed good stuff and shown why he is being selected in the top 100 of most drafts. He may be a risk, but his upside is worthy of where he is being taken.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans made his second start of the spring on Friday, pitching well in a 5-4 Cactus League win over the Oakland Athletics. The southpaw went three innings, allowing just one hit while walking one and striking out three. Ragans struck out the first two batters he faced on three pitches each and now has a total of eight strikeouts in just five innings of work across his two starts with no earned runs allowed. After joining the Royals from the Rangers last season, Ragans was superb as a starter and he'll look to maintain that momentum in 2024. If these two starts are any indication of that, it appears he's picking up where he left off.