March 28 Fantasy Baseball Takeaways: Top Performing Pitchers | Corbin Burnes, Tarik Skubal, Frankie Montas, Pablo Lopez, Shane Bieber and More

Discussing some of the top pitching outings from Thursday, March 28.

The MLB regular season is underway! Opening Day provided plenty to talk about from a fantasy perspective, so it’s time to break it all down.

Here, we’ll break down how several pitchers performed. Check back later for a story on hitters.

Eventually, we’ll probably combine the stories and focus on waiver wire options, but we’ll go this route until the dust has settled a bit on the start of the regular season. Let’s dive in!

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Orioles 11, Angels 3

Corbin Burnes delivered a fantastic start to get his Baltimore tenure rolling. He struck out 11 batters over six innings, allowing just one hit - a first-inning home run. Burnes didn’t walk a batter.

Patrick Sandoval didn’t fare very well in his start for Los Angeles. He allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over 1 2/3 innings. Sandoval, who is only owned in 8% of leagues, struck out two batters.

Tigers 1, White Sox 0

As the score would suggest, this was a great pitching matchup. Tarik Skubal outdueled Garrett Crochet.

Skubal struck out six batters while allowing just three hits over six innings. He only needed 83 pitches to get through his outing.

A surprise in the bullpen was Jason Foley getting the save instead of Alex Lange. This is definitely something to monitor.

Crochet, owned in 39% of leagues, struck out eight batters over six frames. He allowed one run on five hits and no walks. Crochet will be a popular waiver wire add this week.

Michael Kopech appeared to be one of the team’s option to close games, but pitched in the eighth inning, so that’s something else to keep an eye on for Chicago.

Reds 8, Nationals 2

There were two very different outings from the starters in this game. Frankie Montas dazzled, while Josiah Gray was rocked.

Montas worked six scoreless innings, striking out four batters along the way. Montas, owned in 45% of leagues, didn’t walk a batter, and will be a hot waiver wire add after his strong start.

Gray was tagged for seven runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out six batters, but allowed two long balls.

Yankees 5, Astros 4

The Yankees rallied to overshadow a rough start for Nestor Cortes. The lefty allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over five frames. Cortest struck out five batters.

Jonathan Loaisiga got the win for New York, while Ian Hamilton got a hold and Clay Homes the save (despite allowing three hits).

Framber Valdez only worked 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and six walks. He struck out five batters.

Rafael Montero was saddled with a blown save after allowing a run, and Ryan Pressly got the loss after allowing a run.

Twins 4, Royals 1

Both starters in this game fared pretty well. Pablo Lopez got the win after striking out seven batters over seven innings. He allowed a run on four hits and no walks.

Griffin Jax earned the save for Minnesota. He should hold the closer role until Jhoan Duran returns from his injury.

Cole Ragans was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. Ragans struck out nine batters.

Dodgers 7, Cardinals 1

Tyler Glasnow earned his first win in his second start of the season. He struck out five batters and allowed one run on two hits and a walk over six innings. 

Ryan Yarbrough covered the final three innings to pick up a save.

Miles Mikolas, owned in 23% of leagues, surrendered five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out five batters along the way.

Pirates 6, Marlins 5 (12 inn.)

Mitch Keller started for Pittsburgh, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three batters.

Luis L. Ortiz picked up the win after tossing two scoreless innings. Jose Fernandez got the save with David Bednar unavailable (although Bednar is expected back soon).

Miami starter Jesus Luzardo struck out eight batters over five innings. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks.

Sixto Sanchez was tagged with a blown save after allowing a run, and Dean Cronin was eventually tagged with the loss after allowing an unearned run in the 12th inning.

Padres 6, Giants 4

Both starters did a pretty nice job in this contest. 

Yu Darvish struck out seven batters over five innings, allowing a run on five hits and a walk. 

Jhony Brito blew his second save of the season already. Yuki Matsui earned the win before Robert Suarez earned his second save.

San Fran’s Logan Webb struck out five over six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks. 

Luke Jackson blew the lead and took the loss.

Blue Jays 8, Rays 2

Jose Berrios was good in his season debut, striking out six over six innings. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk. 

Zach Eflin was tagged for six runs on six hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings. Eflin struck out five batters, but allowed three home runs.

Rangers 4, Cubs 3 (10 inn.)

Texas prevailed in a fun back-and-forth game that went to extra innings.

Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed two runs on four hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out three batters along the way.

David Robertson earned the win for Texas after pitching the 10th inning. Jose Leclerc pitched the ninth, allowing a run.

Chicago starter Justin Steele struck out six batters over 4 2/3 innings before leaving with a hamstring injury. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk.

Yency Almonte and Adbert Alzolay each blew leads out of the bullpen, and Drew Smyly was tagged with the loss after pitching the final frame.

Guardians 8, Athletics 0

Shane Bieber was brilliant in the opener, striking out 11 batters over six scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits and one walk.

Alex Wood didn’t fare as well, allowing six runs on seven hits and a walk over 3 1/3 innings. He struck out three batters.

Diamondbacks 16, Rockies 1

As the score might suggest, there were two very different outings in this contest. 

Zac Gallen got the win after allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three batters.

Kyle Freeland allowed 10 runs on 10 hits and one walk, while striking out a pair over 2 1/3 innings. Anthony Molina allowed the other six runs in a 14-run third inning.

Red Sox 6, Mariners 4

Brayan Bello outpitched Luis Castillo to open the season. 

Bello allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out a pair and didn’t walk a batter.

Isaiah Campbell, Joely Rodriguez and Chris Martin all got a hold, while Kenley Jansen worked the ninth for the save. Jansen struck out a pair of batters, as did Martin and Rodriguez.

Castillo allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five batters.

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