Outlook Jared Jones
Jared Jones flashes elite velocity in his return from the injured list, but remains a high-risk weekly option
After being reinstated from the 60-day injured list, Jared Jones made his return for the third-place Pirates, who hold a 32-28 record and are on a three-game winning streak. Jones flashed elite velocity, pumping fastballs up to 101 MPH, but struggled with command as he surrendered five earned runs over 4.1 innings. He immediately bolsters Pittsburgh's pitching staff, though he will need time to build up his stamina.
While his brief 10.98 ERA and 2.20 WHIP from his debut are alarming, our models project a strong rest-of-season correction to a 4.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Jones possesses high strikeout upside, as evidenced by his six strikeouts in his debut and our projection of 140 strikeouts over 89.0 innings. Expect his ratios to quickly normalize toward his solid 2024 career baseline of a 4.21 ERA.
Jones is scheduled for a single road start on June 4 against the Astros, squaring off against Kai-Wei Teng and his strong 2.72 ERA. Given the tough matchup and likely pitch count limitations as he builds back his workload, we recommend that you Sit him for this period.
Updated 3 days ago
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Outlook Foster Griffin
Foster Griffin's secure rotation role and a favorable matchup in Arizona make him a strong starting option this week.
The second-place Nationals (31-29) have been hit hard by injuries to starters Jake Irvin and Josiah Gray, locking Foster Griffin in as Washington's number three starter. Griffin has pitched well lately, posting a 1.19 WHIP and 16 strikeouts over his last 16.0 innings, despite a slightly elevated 4.50 ERA over that two-week stretch.
While his 4.89 ERA over the last month hints at minor regression, Griffin’s season marks of 3.80 ERA and 1.16 WHIP remain highly serviceable. Our models project a 4.17 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 136.0 innings rest of season, meaning his ratios will likely regress slightly, though his healthy strikeout rate keeps his floor stable.
This week, Griffin is scheduled for a single road start on June 5 against Arizona. He faces Merrill Kelly, who has struggled to a 5.06 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Our models project Griffin to deliver a quality outing of 6.2 innings with a 3.65 ERA and 5.3 strikeouts, making him a strong weekly Start.
Updated 3 days ago
