April 15 Fantasy Baseball Takeaways: Best Pitching Performances | Seth Lugo, Aaron Nola, Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, Sonny Gray and More

Discussing some of the best pitching performances from April 15.

All 30 MLB teams were in action on Monday, April 16, so it’s time to discuss some of the top performers from the day.

We’ll start with the top pitchers, since it was a fairly low-scoring day across the league. Check back soon for a story on the top hitters.

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Guardians 6, Red Sox 0

Cleveland scored two runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to top Boston.

Cleveland starter Xzavion Curry made his first start of the season and delivered five scoreless innings, but didn’t get the win. Curry allowed two hits and a walk, while striking out three.

Tim Herrin picked up the win out of the bullpen after striking out three batters over two innings.

Kutter Crawford started for Boston and didn’t earn a decision after working 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out six, while allowing two hits and no walks. Crawford has a 0.42 earned run average this season.

Brennan Bernardino took the loss out of the bullpen and was one of four relievers to allow at least one run.

Orioles 7, Twins 4

Cole Irvin started for Baltimore, but didn’t factor into the decision after only making it 4 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs on six hits and four walks.

Dillon Tate earned the win after getting four outs. Craig Kimbrel struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth inning to pick up his fourth save.

Louie Varland took the loss on the hill for Minnesota, allowing six runs (four earned) over five innings. He surrendered 11 hits, while striking out six and walking none.

Rangers 1, Tigers 0

Michael Lorenzen looked pretty strong in his first start, tossing five scoreless innings to get the win. He allowed three hits and five walks, but struck out four to work out of trouble.

Kirby Yates got the save for Texas after working a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Jose Leclerc worked two scoreless innings after Lorenzen was pulled to lower his ERA to 9.00. Yates is probably worth a waiver wire add to see if he’s the team’s full-time closer now.

Reese Olson fell to 0-2 despite pitching pretty well. He allowed a run on six hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. Olson struck out eight batters.

Giants 4, Marlins 3

Kyle Harrison improved to 2-1 after working six innings for San Francisco. He allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out two.

Camilo Doval picked up his second save after striking out two of the five batters he faced in a four-out appearance.

Edward Cabrera made his first start of the season for Miami, striking out 10 over six strong innings. He allowed a run on five hits and a walk. George Soriano took the loss out of the bullpen, while Andrew Nardi was charged with a blown save.

Phillies 2, Rockies 1 (10 inn.)

Both starters were great in a game that Philadelphia claimed in 10 innings.

Aaron Nola struck out nine batters over 7 1/3 innings. He allowed a run on four hits and a walk. Seranthony Dominguez got the win out of the bullpen after working the 10th inning.

Cal Quantrill started and went six innings for Colorado. He allowed a run on four hits and two walks, while striking out one. Jake Bird took the loss after allowing the 10th-inning run.

Angels 7, Rays 3

Neither starter factored into the decision in this game either.

Patrick Sandoval allowed a run on four hits and two walks over five innings for Los Angeles. He struck out three. Luis Garcia earned the win out of the bullpen.

Zach Eflin was Tampa Bay’s starter, allowing no runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked none. Phil Maton was charged with a blown save and loss out of the pen.

Blue Jays 3, Yankees 1

Chris Bassitt earned his second win of the season after allowing a run on four hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five along the way.

Yimi Garcia earned his second save for Toronto. Jordan Romano is expected back soon (probably today), so he should get most of the save opportunities going forward.

Luis Gil took the loss after allowing three runs over five innings. He surrendered three hits and seven walks, but struck out six.

Mets 6, Pirates 3

Neither starter factored into the decision as New York doubled up Pittsburgh.

Adrian Houser started and allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings for the Mets. He surrendered two hits and five walks, while striking out five.

Adam Ottavino earned the win out of the bullpen and Edwin Diaz worked the ninth to earn his fourth save.

Martin Perez started for the Pirates, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. He only struck out one.

Hunter Stratton was charged with a blown save before Aroldis Chapman took the loss after allowing three runs and only getting one out.

Royals 2, White Sox 0

Seth Lugo moved to 3-0 after tossing seven scoreless innings. He struck out four and allowed four hits and a walk. Lugo’s ERA is 1.05 this season.

Nick Nastrini allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings while taking the loss. He struck out five along the way.

Padres 7, Brewers 3

Joe Musgrove improved to 2-2 on the season after working the first six innings for San Diego. He allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks, while striking out three.

Robert Suarez got the final out in the ninth to pick up his sixth save. His ERA is 1.04 so far this season.

Milwaukee’s Joe Ross took the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four batters.

Braves 6, Astros 1

Two young pitchers started in this contest.

Darius Vines didn’t factor into the decision after only making it 4 2/3 innings, but he allowed a run on four hits and three walks. Vines struck out four batters. Aaron Bummer got his first win out of the bullpen.

Spencer Arrighetti fell to 0-2 after allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out five along the way. Josh Hader allowed the other four runs, and now has a 9.39 ERA this season.

Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2

Ben Brown started for Chicago and allowed a run on one hit and two walks over six innings, but didn’t get the win. Brown struck out four batters. Keegan Thompson got the win after working two scoreless innings.

Merrill Kelly started for Arizona, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over five frames. He struck out five along the way. Kevin Ginkel was charged with his second blown save of the season, and Bryce Jarvis took the loss.

Cardinals 3, Athletics 1

Sonny Gray looked great again with moving to 2-0 this season. He struck out six while allowing just four hits over six scoreless innings. Gray hasn’t allowed a run in 11 innings to open his season.

Ryan Helsley got the save (his sixth) after striking out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth.

Ross Stripling fell to 0-4 this season after allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four along the way.

Mariners 9, Reds 3

George Kirby moved to 2-2 after allowing two runs on five hits over six innings for Seattle. Kirby struck out six batters.

Frankie Montas fell to 2-2 after pitching just two innings. He allowed five runs on three hits and five walks, while striking out one.

Nationals 6, Dodgers 4

Mitchell Parker earned the win for Washington after allowing two runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out four along the way.

Kyle Finnegan picked up his sixth save after a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Tyler Glasnow was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five batters

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