Cole Ragans DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans had his swing-and-miss stuff going during Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The left-hander was electric as he struck out 10 batters while allowing one run on four hits over 7 2/3 innings in the win. Ragans has now posted three straight outings with 10 strikeouts or more. He gave up three runs in his season opener, but has allowed one run in each of his last three starts. He's a must-start fantasy option as he takes a 2.28 ERA into his next start versus the Detroit Tigers.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans was dealing in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Twins. Ragans pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts. He also hit a batter. Unfortunately for him, Pablo Lopez (hamstring) was able to silence the Royals' bats, and they weren't able to pull ahead until late in the game. Ragans has delivered what fantasy managers were expecting through his first three starts, compiling a 2.81 ERA, a 13.50 K/9 rate, and a 2.25 BB/9 rate in 16 IP. He has yet to earn a win, but he has done everything in his power to position himself for them. Ragans will draw a decent matchup in his next start at the Guardians, a lineup that has been mediocre to this point but has not struck out much.

Although he only went five innings and picked up a no-decision in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field, Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans had a strong day on the bump for his fantasy managers. Ragans allowed only one earned run on five hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out 10. The only run he gave up came in the first inning on a solo shot by Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio. The former first-rounder hasn't been all that efficient in his first two starts of the 2025 season and has gone just 10 total innings, but he's generating plenty of swings and misses and now has 13 strikeouts. The 27-year-old southpaw should be considered a must-start in his next scheduled outing at Kauffman Stadium against the division-rival Minnesota Twins.