Ryan Pepiot DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

With Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) set to miss time to open the 2025 regular season, right-hander Ryan Pepiot will step in and start on Opening Day on Friday, March 28, against the Colorado Rockies, according to manager Kevin Cash. The 27-year-old went 8-8 with a career-high 3.60 ERA (3.95 FIP), a 1.15 WHIP and a 142:48 K:BB in 130 innings pitched over 26 starts in his first year with the Rays in 2024. Pepiot's season was interrupted by an infection caused by a bug bite, but otherwise he was pretty solid with nine quality starts in his 26 total starts. His fastball-changeup combination can get it done, but Pepiot might not be able to take the next step in his big-league career unless he develops a quality third pitch to keep hitters off balance. Still, there's a lot to like in fantasy, and he'll be a popular DFS play in his first start at home against the Rockies.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (undisclosed) left his start early on Thursday but does not have an injury designation, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The right-hander logged only two innings of work against the Guardians before departing. Pepiot ran into some trouble, as he served up four hits, two walks, and two earned runs while only striking out one. However, since Aug. 16, Pepiot has carried a strong 2.81 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any updates regarding the 27-year-old, as he may be on another strict pitch count in his next start. In his first season in Tampa Bay, the former Dodger sits with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP through 113 innings of work.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot picked up his seventh win of the season on his birthday in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Athletics, going six innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, a walk, and a hit batsman, while striking out five. It was the seventh consecutive start in which the 27-year-old held the opponent to two runs or fewer, posting a 2.02 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 14:32 BB:K over 35 2/3 IP during that stretch. For the season, the righty owns a 3.65 ERA (3.79 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, and a 17.9% K-BB%. He gets a favorable matchup his next time out when he faces Seattle, the team that strikes out the most in the majors.