Cubs' Javier Assad: Escapes Coors with no-decision
Rotowire
Assad came away with a no-decision in Friday's 9-5 loss to the Rockies, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.
The big blow off Assad came in the second inning when Hunter Goodman launched a two-run homer, but the right-hander otherwise minimized the damage and got taken off the hook for the loss when the Cubs tied the game in the top of the eighth. Assad hadn't been tagged with more than three runs in an outing since June 23, and over his last 10 starts he sports a 3.27 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB through 52.1 innings. He'll look for a better result in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the A's.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Allows one earned run in loss
Rotowire
Assad (7-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Assad allowed one run in the first inning and then tossed four scoreless frames before being lifted and charged with an unearned run in the sixth. Despite the loss, the 27-year-old has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his past 10 appearances. On the season, he owns a 3.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 111:56 across 131.2 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the Rockies next week.
Assad (7-4) earned the win against the Nationals on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.
Assad allowed nine hard-hit balls and generated just two swinging strikes on 90 pitches but performed well enough to earn his second straight quality start. The 27-year-old has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his eight outings since the All-Star break, though he has failed to complete five frames in half of them. On the season, he owns a 3.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 106:53 K:BB across 126 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Yankees next weekend.
Assad (6-4) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings, taking the loss versus the Marlins on Sunday.
Assad gave up solo home runs to Connor Norby and Jesus Sanchez in the first inning, and the Cubs never recovered from that. Despite the early struggles, Assad was able to grind out seven innings for the first time this year on an efficient 87 pitches (59 strikes) to earn his first quality start in five outings in August. He's pitched to a 3.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 102:51 K:BB through 120 innings over 24 starts this season. The right-hander's next start is projected to be on the road against the Nationals.
Assad (6-3) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 3-1 victory over the Tigers. He struck out seven.
The seven Ks were the most for the right-hander since June 17, and Assad tossed 59 of 95 pitches for strikes as he fell just short of his fifth quality start of the season. He has yet to give up more than three runs in an outing since he recovered from a forearm strain and rejoined the Cubs' rotation just before the All-Star break, delivering a 3.30 ERA over his last 30 innings despite a worrying 20:17 K:BB and 1.60 WHIP. Assad will try to keep walking that tightrope in his next start, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Miami.
Cubs' Javier Assad: Covers four innings again Wednesday
Rotowire
Assad allowed two runs on three hits across four innings in Wednesday's start against the Twins. He walked two, struck out one and did not factor into the decision.
Assad was lifted after tossing 75 pitches, and for the second straight start, he covered just four innings, which didn't allow him to qualify for the win in a game the Cubs won 8-2. The righty was fairly effective while in the contest, though the Cubs seem to be watching his workload closely. Assad logged a career-high 109.1 innings last season, mostly as a long reliever. Now serving exclusively as a starter, the 27-year-old is up to 102.2 innings this year. Assad is penciled in to take the mound again next Wednesday against the Guardians, and his fantasy value will remain capped if he's unable to work deeper into games.
Cubs' Javier Assad: Lasts just four innings vs. Cards
Rotowire
Assad did not factor into the decision Friday against St. Louis, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out three.
Assad was lucky to escape Friday's outing with just one run against him, particularly in the third inning when the Cards could only score once after loading the bases. However, Assad ultimately failed to qualify for a win as he was removed prior to the fifth inning after needing 97 pitches to get through four. Walks have been a struggle for Assad lately -- the 27-year-old right-hander's now issued 10 free passes in his last three starts (13.1 innings). Overall, he's 5-3 on the season with a 3.19 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 89:45 K:BB across 98.2 innings. Assad will look to improve his command in his next start, currently lined up for next week at home against Minnesota.
