Outlook Michael King
Michael King serves as the reliable staff anchor for a surging Padres rotation
King has been excellent recently, posting a 2.25 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP over his last 12 innings of work. He remains the primary anchor of the rotation for a 48-48 Padres squad currently on a two-game winning streak. His role as the number-one starter is even more critical for the third-place Padres given the long-term injuries to Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove.
His current season-long 3.40 ERA and 1.18 WHIP align perfectly with our projection of a 3.47 ERA. While his strikeout rate of 7.81 K/9 is lower than his elite 2024 metrics, his efficiency has improved, leading to nine quality starts already. This shift toward a more sustainable pitch-to-contact profile suggests his recent run of form is a reliable baseline rather than a fluke.
King is scheduled for one remaining start this week on Friday against the 38-59 Royals. He will face Seth Lugo, who enters the matchup with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP, presenting a very favorable opportunity for King to secure a win against a struggling Kansas City offense. Given the favorable matchup and his recent consistency, he is a mandatory play. Start.
Updated 1 day ago
Latest News Michael King
Outlook Logan Henderson
Logan Henderson returns from the IL to reinforce the Brewers' division-leading rotation
Henderson is back in action for the first-place Brewers after a back injury sidelined him for most of June. In his first start since returning on July 9, he looked sharp, surrendering three runs over 5.1 innings while maintaining a pristine 0.78 WHIP. He currently slots in as the fifth starter for a Milwaukee club that holds a 59-37 record and a lead in the NL Central despite a recent three-game losing streak.
His early career has been nothing short of historic, as he became the first pitcher in over a century to allow two or fewer runs in each of his first ten starts. While our data projects a season-long regression toward a 3.86 ERA, his underlying career metrics, including a 1.00 WHIP and a 10.89 K/9, suggest his dominance is supported by elite stuff. As long as the back issues remain in the rearview mirror, he should continue to outpace his baseline projections.
Milwaukee hosts the Marlins for a three-game set this weekend, and Henderson is expected to take the mound during the series. Miami represents a favorable matchup for the young right-hander to continue building up his pitch count and efficiency while hunting for a win. Given his high-strikeout upside and the strong run support provided by the Brewers' lineup, he is a must-start in all standard formats. Start.
Updated 1 day ago
