Jameson Taillon DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon threw long toss like he did in his high-school days this offseason in hopes of being able to regain some velocity heading into the 2025 season. The 33-year-old veteran had one of the better seasons of his eight-year MLB career last year in Chicago, going 12-8 with a 3.27 ERA (3.92 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 125 strikeouts and 33 walks in 165 1/3 innings over 28 starts. A back issue that he pitched through diminished his velocity late in the year, but Taillon had a tidy 4.9 percent walk rate. All of his offerings have decreased in velocity the last few years, which led to a career-low strikeout rate (18.5%), and it didn't help he wasn't able to do some of his normal weight-room routines due to his back injury. Taillon's strikeouts could increase slightly if he sees an uptick in velocity, but there is also plenty of injury risk here. He's outside RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitching rankings.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon tossed seven innings of shutout ball in Friday's 1-0 victory over the Reds, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out two. The outing was his fifth consecutive quality start and caps off an outstanding month of September for the 32-year-old, going 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. It was a solid season overall for the veteran, going 12-8 with a 3.27 ERA (4.29 SIERA), 1.13 WHIP, and a 13.6% K-BB%. The underwhelming strikeout totals depress his fantasy stock a bit, but he should be a decent back-end rotation piece for fantasy next season.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon pitched six strong innings and picked up the win on Friday in the Cubs' 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. Taillon struck out four and gave up just two hits while improving his record to 11-8 on the season. The 32-year-old has bounced back strong this season after a down year in 2023, improving his ERA from 4.84 to 3.41 with today's performance. It also marked Taillon's fourth straight quality start. Fantasy managers that need help to finish the season certainly should be getting Taillon into their lineups. Though the right-hander has a 3.98 xERA to go along with his 3.41 ERA, he has been able to get reliably consistent results throughout the season. He'll finish 2024 with his final scheduled start on Wednesday when the Cubs finish a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The Houston Astros have expressed interest in Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. The potential acquisition of Taillon would offer Houston's injury-riddled rotation a lift during the second half, and the hurler's fantasy value could go up a tick if he were to land with the contending Astros. Even so, the 32-year-old former No. 2 overall pick has been a big surprise for the Cubs in 2024, submitting a career-best 2.96 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 21 walks across 100 1/3 innings (17 starts) in Chicago's rotation after beginning the year on the injured list. Monday's scheduled start against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park may very well be Taillon's last in the Windy City this year.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon pitched well but took the loss in a 1-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday. Taillon tossed 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball while allowing four hits, walking three, and striking out three but saw his record drop to 7-5 on the season. The veteran hurler has been solid for the Cubs this season, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts over 100 1/3 innings of work. While he isn't a major source of strikeouts, Taillon is a strong mid-rotation fantasy starting pitcher thanks to his low ERA and WHIP. He will look for his eighth win next time he takes the mound, which will be Monday against the Cincinnati Reds.