Zach Eflin Stats
- Height / Weight
- 6' 6" / 220 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- 4/8/1994 (29)
- Experience
- 8
- College
- None
Zach Eflin Season Stats
Last 10 Games
Zach Eflin News
Right-hander Zach Eflin will be the Tampa Bay Rays' Opening Day starter on March 28 against the Toronto Blue Jays at home. Eflin being named the team's Opening Day starter in 2024 hardly comes as a surprise following his career year in 2023 with Tampa, when he won a league-high 16 games while also posting a career-best 3.50 ERA (3.01 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 24 walks and a career-high 186 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings over his 31 starts. The 29-year-old will be a two-start pitcher for the opening week of the season, although his matchup against Toronto on Opening Day is one to fade him in for DFS purposes. Although it would be unwise for fantasy managers to expect Eflin to be a top-10 pitcher in back-to-back seasons, he profiles as a solid No. 2 fantasy starter in his second year in Tampa.
With lefty Shane McClanahan (elbow) sidelined by his second Tommy John surgery and with righty Tyler Glasnow now pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, right-hander Zach Eflin is set to headline the Tampa Bay Rays' starting rotation in 2024. Eflin had a career year in 2023 in his first year in Tampa, producing a career-best 3.50 ERA with 186 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings over 31 starts, all career-high marks. The 29-year-old's passion for pitching, vast arsenal and pinpoint command make him an attractive low-end No. 2 starter for fantasy managers heading into his second year with the Rays as their staff ace. Eflin's success in 2023 came from using his cutter more while also adding a sweeper. It also helped that he stayed healthy. While Eflin probably isn't going to finish as a top-10 fantasy starter again in 2024, it's clear he's pretty valuable.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zach Eflin will start Game 2 of the Wild Card series against the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Eflin will follow Tyler Glasnow, who will start Game 1 Tuesday. Eflin has been excellent in his first year with the Rays, pitching to career-lows with a 3.50 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while striking out a career-high 186 batters in 177 IP. The Rangers haven't said who they will be starting yet, but Eflin should have an advantage no matter who he's up against in Game 2.
Batting Order
1 | Yandy Díaz |
2 | Brandon Lowe |
3 | Randy Arozarena |
4 | Harold Ramírez |
5 | Isaac Paredes |
6 | Richie Palacios |
7 | Jose Siri |
8 | José Caballero |
9 | René Pinto |
Zach Eflin Stats
Last 10 Games
Batting Order
1 | Yandy Díaz |
2 | Brandon Lowe |
3 | Randy Arozarena |
4 | Harold Ramírez |
5 | Isaac Paredes |
6 | Richie Palacios |
7 | Jose Siri |
8 | José Caballero |
9 | René Pinto |
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zach Eflin had an outstanding first season with his new team in 2023. The 29-year-old went 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 26.5% strikeout rate in 31 starts and 177 2/3 innings pitched. Eflin swapped his four-seam fastball for a cutter to go with his sinker and curveball, although the cutter was his least effective pitch. His strikeout rate boost is difficult to explain, as his swinging-strike rates on his three main pitches stayed about the same, yet he got a considerable number of strikeouts with pitches he barely threw, specifically his four-seamer and sweeper. On the positive side, he did a great job limiting hard contact and keeping the ball out of the air. Eflin is currently being drafted at about pick 91 overall, making him the 37th pitcher off the board. His strikeout jump may not persist, but Eflin's strong command should help produce a solid ERA and WHIP, and while the Rays are notorious for having short leashes, Eflin pitched at least six innings in 61 percent of his starts last season. Overall, he isn't the most exciting starter but should offer a high floor, particularly at his current ADP.