Bailey Ober DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (illness) allowed eight earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings in his first start of the year on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ober struggled through diminished velocity and poor command on Sunday and in spring training, but he revealed after his poor start on Sunday that he has been battling an illness. The 29-year-old's fastball averaged 91.7 mph last year, but it fell to 89.9 mph during spring training and was only slightly better on Sunday. He threw only 33 of his 77 pitches for strikes and got only four whiffs on 28 swings while also walking three. Manager Rocco Baldelli noted the coaching staff came close to skipping or pushing Ober's start back. His next scheduled start will be on Saturday at home against the Houston Astros, giving him extra time to get healthy. Fantasy managers will be hoping Ober can bounce back after a rough first start, which is what he did in 2024.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober was excellent over seven innings on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs on four hits and no walks while striking out a career-high 12 batters in a 5-4 loss to the Guardians, although Ober did not factor into the decision. The two runs the righty allowed both came on solo shots from the Guardians' Josh Naylor. It was a nice bounceback game for the 29-year-old after getting roughed up for five runs his last time out. The outing was the 18th quality start in 30 games started this season, and he'll draw a favorable matchup at home his next time out versus the Marlins next Tuesday.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober dominated the Blue Jays on Sunday, going six innings while allowing just one run on one hit. Ober struck out eight and walked three in this one, with the only damage coming in the first inning off of an Ernie Clement solo home run. Ober needed a start like this after getting blown up by the Atlanta Braves for nine runs in his last start. To be fair to Ober, that was the only start in his previous 13 where he'd gone less than six innings or given up more than three runs, a span that dates back to June 9. The 29-year-old remains a must-start pitcher heading into fantasy playoffs.