Michael Wacha Strikes Out Seven Across Seven Shutout Frames
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha struck out seven batters across seven shutout frames on Friday evening against the Chicago White Sox. He allowed just four hits and one free pass. This was a nice bounce back for the 33-year-old, as he allowed three earned runs and seven hits in his previous start. Across 96 innings this season, the right-hander holds a solid 3.55 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 28:85 BB:K ratio. Wacha is scheduled to face Arizona in his next start on Wednesday, July 24 and is worth starting in deeper leagues as he should continue to provide stable ratios in the second half.
Michael Wacha In Favorable Spot To Begin Second Half
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha hopes his recent success carries into the second half when he gets the ball in Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Wacha has been very reliable for the Royals over his last nine starts, generating a 2.61 ERA and 47:17 K:BB over 51 2/3 innings since May 9. The 33-year-old former All-Star has revived his career in recent years, and he'll belong in all fantasy lineups for the start of the second half on Friday. In three appearances versus the White Sox since 2023, Wacha has a microscopic 0.90 ERA alongside a 19:4 K:BB through 20 frames during this period.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (4-5) walked away with the win Wednesday night, going six innings and allowing one run on two hits and three walks while tying a season-high with eight strikeouts in a 4-2 win versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Make that eight starts in a row Wacha has put together of allowing two runs or less since he gave up seven earned runs back on May 4 to the Texas Rangers. Although the numbers aren't sexy, the veteran righty has put up a solid 3.74 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his first season in royal blue. Wacha will look to continue his dominant run in a homecoming matchup versus his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, next Tuesday at Busch Stadium.
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said on Friday that starting pitcher Michael Wacha (foot) is "on track" to return to the rotation for Saturday's game against the defending-champion Texas Rangers, and the hurler is officially listed as the probable starter. Wacha made a rehab appearance in the Arizona Complex League on Monday as he worked his way back from a fractured left foot, throwing four scoreless innings on two hits and no walks with six strikeouts. The 32-year-old veteran right-hander holds a vanilla 4.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 56:20 K:BB through 68 innings (12 starts) for the Royals this year, and fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before inserting Wacha back into lineups on Saturday against a dangerous Rangers lineup.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (foot) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left foot fracture. As a result, Daniel Lynch IV will take Wacha's spot in the rotation. Wacha said he never felt any pain on the mound but did feel sore after his most recent start on Friday May 31. The 32-year-old posted a 4.24 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 68 innings this season and is likely to miss an extended period of time. Lynch has made two starts this season and has looked quite strong with a 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and an 8:2 K:BB ratio through 12 innings. He is worth a look in AL-only formats in favorable matchups.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (foot) had a walking boot on his left foot after being hit by a line drive from the first batter of Friday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres, and he's heading for scans on Saturday to determine the extent of the damage. The Royals will be able to provide an official diagnosis after the scans are completed, but it's encouraging that the hurler didn't need to exit the contest early. Wacha ended up throwing 5 1/3 innings on Friday, giving up two runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts without factoring into the decision. The 32-year-old veteran right-hander should be deemed day-to-day until more information comes to light, but his next scheduled start on Thursday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians looks to be very much up in the air. Wacha has a mediocre 4.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 56:20 K:BB over 12 starts (68 innings) during his first season in KC this year.
Michael Wacha Bounces Back With Second Victory On Thursday
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha tallied his second victory of the season against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday by tossing six innings of three-run ball (two earned). Wacha allowed just three hits but struggled with his control, giving up five free passes. He struck out six. This was a big bounce-back performance for the 32-year-old as he got chased out of his previous start on May 4 against the Texas Rangers, allowing seven earned runs in just three innings. Wacha now sits with a 5.15 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with just 37 punchouts across 43 innings. Wacha has done well with limiting hard contact with an excellent 35.0% hard-hit rate and sports a 4.08 xERA, suggesting he could be due for some positive regression. However, Wacha remains an option for deeper leagues and should only be deployed in favorable matchups.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha allowed 10 hits and gave up five runs while taking a loss in last Friday's 6-1 defeat to the New York Mets, but he finds himself in prime position to bounce back in Wednesday's start on the road in one part of a doubleheader against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Although Wacha holds a mediocre 4.00 ERA (2.75 FIP) through 18 innings (three starts) to begin his Royals debut season, his 1.05 WHIP is a cause for optimism. Since 2023, the 32-year-old journeyman right-hander is 2-0 with 14 scoreless frames and 15 strikeouts over two appearances against the White Sox. Additionally, the current Chicago roster is hitting a career .141 across 72 plate appearances versus Wacha. With the ChiSox sitting dead last in baseball with 34 runs scored, treat Wacha as a confident fantasy option on Wednesday's full slate.
Michael Wacha Tosses Seven Scoreless Frames, Picks Up The Win
Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (1-0) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. He picked up his first win of the season. Wacha was terrific on Saturday, blanking the White Sox over seven frames. The 32-year-old threw 93 pitches, landing 59 for strikes. He owns a 2.25 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts over 12 innings in 2024. He is off to a hot start and will look to build on Saturday's performance in his next start Friday on the road against the New York Mets. Wacha can be used as a streamer and should be rostered in all leagues while he continues to pitch well in 2024.
Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (finger) is fine and isn't expected to miss any time to open the 2024 regular season. Manager Matt Quatraro said Wacha woke up Monday morning and even "forgot about it." Wacha is the club's No. 4 starter in his first year in KC, joining Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Brady Singer and Alec Marsh. The 32-year-old veteran suffered a bruised right middle finger during an intrasquad game on Sunday, but it won't impact his availability for the start of the 2024 campaign. He's expected to make his Royals debut on April 1 in a tough matchup against the defending American League East-champion Baltimore Orioles. Fantasy managers should expect regression from Wacha after two straight fortunate seasons in 2022 and 2023.
