Kevin McCarthy Fantasy Stats

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kevin McCarthy wasn't great last year, but his five relief wins and 3.25 ERA could seem attractive in some deep leagues. The good news is that he's making sure everyone knows not to roster him now. McCarthy was called on to find a way out of a bases-loaded jam on Monday, and he instead decided the easiest way to pitch was without anyone on base. A single scored one, a double scored two more, and after a surprise out, McCarthy gave up Edwin Encarnacion's second home run of the inning to bring everyone else home. On the season, McCarthy has an amazing 0/4 K/BB ratio, has given up home runs on 33 percent of the fly balls he's allowed and has logged an 81 ERA in both of his last two appearances. Hopefully, all fantasy owners have gotten the hint by now.

Kansas City Royals relief pitchers Kevin McCarthy and Tim Hill are the leading candidates to replace Kelvin Herrera's closer role, now that Herrera has been traded to Washington. McCarthy has thrown 30 1/3 innings this season with a 3.86 ERA and just 19 strikeouts. Hill has a less favorable 4.98 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings this season. McCarthy will most likely get the first shot at closing and is the recommended add right away, but it very well could end up being a closer-by-committee which would be very ugly for fantasy. There should be more news on the Royals bullpen soon.