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Taijuan Walker SP | LAA
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Quality start in Cincy
Walker (1-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in an 8-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out four.
It was the first quality start of the year for the veteran right-hander, who had failed to get out of the fifth inning in his first two turns through the rotation as a Phillie. Walker has issued multiple free passes in every outing so far though, and his 4.20 ERA might be a bit fortunate considering his 14:10 K:BB through 15 innings. He'll look to build on Friday's success when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come next week on the road against the White Sox.
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Noah Syndergaard SP | CLE
Dodgers' Noah Syndergaard: Turns in solid outing in loss
Syndergaard (0-2) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out nine.
Syndergaard pitched well but did not have enough run support in this contest. This start was a nice rebound for the right-hander after he gave up six runs in four innings against the Diamondbacks last week. The veteran will now look to shut down his former team next week, as the Dodgers will host the Mets.
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Justin Steele SP | CHC
Cubs' Justin Steele: Pitches gem in win
Steele (2-0) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over seven innings in a 8-2 victory over the Dodgers. He struck out eight.
Steele has been lights-out this year, as his 1.42 ERA is good for 12th among qualified starters thus far. He's added a 19:6 K:BB over 19 innings. The southpaw is quickly emerging as a pitcher fantasy managers can trust, especially considering he's faced three strong teams, starting against the Brewers and the Rangers prior to Friday's gem.
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Austin Gomber SP | TEX
Rockies' Austin Gomber: Takes third straight loss
Gomber (0-3) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings against the Mariners. He struck out two.
Gomber has had a rough start this year, posting an 8.16 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched. The southpaw is averaging less than five innings per start, which puts too much stress on the Colorado bullpen. The 29-year-old will need to improve to become a viable fantasy option, though it's tough to trust any Rockies starter.
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Kodai Senga RP | NYM
Mets' Kodai Senga: Has worst start of young career
Senga did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings against Oakland. He struck out seven.
Senga had his first shaky start in the big leagues after allowing just two earned runs in his first 11.1 innings pitched. The right-hander was lucky to avoid the loss in this one, as the Mets were able to tack on 17 runs. On the bright side, the 30-year-old has recorded 21 strikeouts so far this year, good for 14th in the majors. If Senga can keep using his forkball to force swings and misses, he could continue to find success.
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Charlie Morton SP | ATL
Braves' Charlie Morton: Cruises to second win
Morton (2-1) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over six innings against the Royals. He struck out five.
Morton got plenty of run support early and was able to cruise through six innings, securing his second win and first quality start of the season. After recording just one strikeout in his season debut, the veteran right-hander has 11 over his past two starts. Morton is tentatively scheduled to pitch next versus Miami.
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Michael Wacha SP | KC
Padres' Michael Wacha: Slammed for seven runs
Wacha (2-1) allowed seven runs on 11 hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Friday, striking out three and taking a loss against Milwaukee.
Wacha struggled right out of the gate, coughing up four runs on five hits in the first inning. Christian Yelich and Rowdy Tellez each drilled a solo homer against him. Wacha saw his ERA jump to 6.06 alongside a 15:5 K:BB through 16.1 frames. Aside from a strong start against Atlanta -- six shutout innings with 10 punchouts -- he's allowed 11 runs in his other two outings.
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Eric Lauer SP | LAD
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Cruises to victory
Lauer (2-1) allowed one run on five hits and two walks over six innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Padres.
Milwaukee blew San Diego out with an 11-2 win and Lauer had a 4-0 lead before throwing his first pitch. He kept the Padres quiet until serving up a solo shot to Luis Campusano in the fifth frame. Lauer bounced back nicely after he was tagged for six runs in a loss to St. Louis in his last appearance. The 27-year-old is now sporting a 5.28 ERA and a 15:7 K:BB through 15.1 frames. He's lined up to take the mound in Seattle next week.
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Trevor Williams RP | TEX
Nationals' Trevor Williams: Solid against Guardians
Williams gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings Friday against the Guardians. He did not factor in the decision.
Of all places, Williams' best statistical outing of the season was his start last week in Coors Field, where he struck out a season-high four and picked up his lone win. Wins will be hard to come by pitching for the rebuilding Nationals, and he lacks the strikeout upside to be an appealing streaming option on a bad team.
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Jake Woodford RP | CHC
Cardinals' Jake Woodford: Keeps Pirates scoreless
Woodford allowed seven hits and a walk over 5.1 scoreless innings during Friday's win over Pittsburgh. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.
Woodford worked his way around trouble, including a bases-loaded jam in the second inning. He gave up nine runs in as many innings through his first two starts and, despite not allowing a run Friday, wasn't particularly effective in his third. He threw 81 pitches, forced just five whiffs and gave up an averaged extra velocity of 96.5 mph. Woodford will carry a 5.65 ERA into his next start, which is currently projected to be at home against the Diamondbacks next week.