The Kansas City Royals and right-hander Michael Wacha agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal on Sunday, according to sources. The deal to keep Wacha in town includes a club option and can max out at four years and $72 million. The 33-year-old veteran and former first-rounder was a big reason why the Royals surprised with a playoff appearance in 2024 and advanced to the American League Division Series before losing to the New York Yankees. He was fully expected to decline his $16 million player option for 2025 after going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings in his 29 regular-season starts. Wacha has pitched pretty well the last three seasons with the Royals, Padres and Red Sox when he's managed to stay healthy. However, he's had issues avoiding the injury bug in the past and doesn't miss as many bats as fantasy managers would like.
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro announced on Tuesday that veteran right-hander Michael Wacha will start Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium against the New York Yankees. Wacha will be hoping to bounce back against the Yankees at home this time after allowing three earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out three in four innings in Game 1 on Saturday in the Bronx in a no-decision. The 33-year-old veteran was better at home in 2024 with the Royals, sporting a 2.89 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 14 innings at Kauffman Stadium, as opposed to a 3.78 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 15 starts on the road. Wacha has struggled in the playoffs in his career, though, posting a 5.36 ERA with nine home runs allowed in nine appearances (seven starts).
Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha has been tabbed to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Left-hander Cole Ragans, who dealt with cramping in his calf in his outing against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday, is lined up to start in Game 2 on Monday. Wacha will be opposed by Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. The 33-year-old veteran was solid for the third straight season in his first year with the Royals in 2024, going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 145:45 K:BB in 166 2/3 innings and 29 starts. He's not overpowering but continues to limit hard contact and pitch deep into games. Wacha did not face the Yankees at all this season but wasn't as good on the road, with a 3.78 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, 77 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings over 15 starts away from Kauffman Stadium. Wacha won't be a priority DFS sleeper for Saturday's Division Series slate.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha was excellent on Sunday, shutting out the Minnesota Twins for seven innings in a 2-0 win. Wacha allowed just four hits and a walk while punching out seven in this one. The 33-year-old veteran has been clinical for most of the season, just as he has been since the 2022 campaign. He is a reliable source for a good ERA, decent WHIP, and some strikeouts while being a workhorse capable of 175-plus IP. He is a great back-end arm in any fantasy rotation.
Michael Wacha Submits Fifth Straight Quality Start
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha put together another strong performance in Friday night's victory over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies at Kauffman Stadium, striking out five batters over six innings of two-run ball. Wacha submitted his fifth consecutive quality start on Friday against the Phillies, surrendering six hits and no walks en route to his 11th win of the year overall. The 33-year-old right-hander has quietly been one of the most reliable starters in all of baseball for over three months now, going 10-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 82:28 K:BB across his last 16 starts (95 1/3 frames) since May 9. A tough test awaits Wacha in the form of a clash with the first-place Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Wednesday.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha dominated on Saturday evening as he tossed six shutout frames while striking out a season-high nine batters. He allowed just four hits and one free pass. The veteran right-hander carried a modest 3.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 9:14 BB:K ratio across his previous four starts entering Saturday, and this stellar outing will get him back on track. Through his first season as a Royal, the 33-year-old has settled in quite well with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP through 127 innings of work. Wacha is currently lined up for a difficult matchup in his next start when the Royals play host to the Philadelphia Phillies next week. Wacha is still worth starting in deeper formats, but it may be best to leave him on your bench in shallower leagues, given the elite bats in the Philadelphia lineup.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha turned in his third-straight quality start on Saturday evening against the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander tossed seven innings of two-run ball with five hits and two walks while striking out six batters. Since the start of July, the 33-year-old has held a strong 2.78 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 12:26 BB:K ratio. This is a great sign as he posted a 3.91 ERA through most of the first half. While his strikeout rate has not been high, he has done very well in limiting hard contact at an excellent 32.5% rate. Wacha is worth adding in shallow formats while he continues to enjoy this hot stretch.
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.
Michael Wacha
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Royals
