Shane Baz DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz was knocked around by the Phillies in Tampa on Wednesday, allowing six earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts in just 3 1/3 innings. Baz gave up a solo home run to Trea Turner in the third inning, but had only given up that one run before things unraveled on him in the fourth inning. He gave up three singles and a walk before Bryce Harper smashed a two-run double that chased Baz from the game with a 6-0 deficit. Baz took the loss and fell to 3-2 on the year with a 4.93 ERA and 3.95 FIP. He has given up at least five earned runs in three of his last four games, especially struggling at home in Tampa. He will get a chance to bounce back in his next outing, which is scheduled to be in a divisional matchup in Toronto on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz silenced San Diego's bats on Friday, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six in a tight 1-0 win over the Padres. Baz has had just one hiccup so far this season, which came in his last start against the Yankees, where he allowed five earned runs, but the other four appearances have been quality starts. The righty is now 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA (3.19 xFIP), 0.99 WHIP, and a phenomenal 23.7 percent K-BB% over 29 1/3 IP. The former first-round draft pick's next start will come at home against Kansas City next week, a team that doesn't strike out much but has produced the second-fewest runs per game so far this season.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz brought swing-and-miss stuff once again in Monday's 16-1 drubbing of the Red Sox. Baz pitched six innings, allowing one run on two hits (including a solo home run) and no walks with 11 strikeouts. The 25-year-old now has double-digit strikeouts in two of his three starts, culminating in a 2-0 record with a 1.42 ERA, a 12.79 K/9 rate, and a 1.89 BB/9 rate in 19 IP. His curveball has been one of his best swing-and-miss pitches, and he has thrown it nearly 15% more often in 2025 compared to 2024. He will be put to the test in his next scheduled start against the Yankees, but he has been so hot that fantasy managers may find the potential reward worth the risk of starting him.