MacKenzie Gore DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out seven in a 2-0 win over the Cubs on Wednesday. He allowed three hits and walked one. This was his second straight scoreless outing and third straight quality start, lowering his ERA to 2.87. The strikeout specialist has been one of the most effective pitchers in baseball this season, allowing more than three runs in an outing only twice while posting an elite 35.4% strikeout rate. The 26-year-old finally seems to be breaking out and should be viewed at least as a top-30 option at the position moving forward. He'll look to keep the scoreless streak alive in his next start, currently set to be against the Mets.

Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore continues to showcase his ace potential thus far in 2025. In his start Thursday night against the Seattle Mariners, he punched out eight batters in six innings of work, allowing only four hits and no runs. He left the ball game with the Nationals up 2-0, and they proceeded to cough up the lead as soon as he left the game. They would eventually win 9-3 in extra innings, as the Nationals' offense exploded in the top of the tenth, scoring seven runs. Gore now owns an impressive 36.3 percent strikeout rate (97th percentile), 34.7 percent whiff rate (95th percentile), a 3.16 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP. Based on his 200.0 ADP, according to NFBC, Gore has been an absolute steal for fantasy managers and remains a must-start with elite strikeout upside.

Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore (leg) was pulled from his start early on Friday versus the visiting San Francisco Giants after his leg tightened up on from being hit by a comebacker in the second inning. Gore walked off the mound after being checked on by manager Dave Martinez and a trainer, but MASN's Mark Zuckerman writes that it doesn't sound like the team is very concerned. The 26-year-old southpaw also said he's not concerned with the injury, which already is a nice welt on the side of his upper left leg. Gore took his second loss of the year on Friday night but he was excellent, allowing just an earned run on two hits while walking three and striking out nine in six innings of work. It sounds like Gore should be able to make his next scheduled start next Thursday in a difficult matchup against the Seattle Mariners, but fantasy managers will want to check back on Gore's status.