Zack Littell DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell improved to 4-5 on the season by holding the visiting Twins to just one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings on Monday night. He didn't get any run support until the sixth inning when a three-run home run from Jonathan Aranda opened the scoring. Littell got one out in the seventh but departed after hitting Ty France with one out. The bullpen gave up a home run to Carlos Correa, allowing France to score for Littell's only run allowed. He only had four strikeouts, but he continues to be effective. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts while going 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 4.46 FIP during that span. He has been especially sharp at home, but he'll be on the road for his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday in Houston. He faced the Astros last Tuesday, allowing two runs in five innings with six strikeouts in a no-decision.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell continued his impressive stretch on Thursday, shutting out the Boston Red Sox for seven innings and earning his eighth win in a 2-0 victory. Littell was completely dominant in this one, allowing just one hit and walking no one while punching out seven. This makes three straight outings where the 28-year-old hasn't given up a run or allowed more than three hits. It's been a good campaign overall for Littell, and he could earn himself a spot in Tampa's 2025 rotation with the way he's pitched. The righty has one start left this year against the feisty Detroit Tigers, and fantasy managers who are in a pickle certainly could do worse than Littell.

The Tampa Bay Rays activated right-hander Zack Littell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Sunday and also selected the contract of catcher Logan Driscoll from the minors. Littell is scheduled to make his first start back from the IL on Monday in the series opener against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. The 28-year-old didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment after leaving his last start early on Aug. 14 against the Houston Astros with right-shoulder soreness. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will want to pounce on Littell if he's available on the waiver wire. While his 21.1% strikeout rate doesn't exactly stand out, he allowed five runs (three earned) with five walks and 16 K's in his last four starts before getting hurt. On June 20 against the Twins, he gave up just two earned runs while striking out five in five innings for a no-decision.