Shane McClanahan coughs up three homers in defeat

McClanahan allowed four hits and didn’t walk anyone. Alongside Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, he’s one of three Rays starters with at least 80 innings and an ERA under 3. The left-hander hasn’t been quite as dominant as he was before missing two full seasons, but it’s hard to complain about the results. Tampa Bay visits the Red Sox coming out of the All-Star break.

Although he wasn’t dominant in finishing with four strikeouts and seven whiffs, this seems like a good sign that McClanahan’s July will more closely resemble his May (4-0, 1.41 ERA) than his June (0-3, 5.79 ERA). McClanahan walked none for the fourth time this year, leaving him with a 77/28 K/BB through 79 2/3 innings. His next start will come at home against the Yankees.

McClanahan struck out three and walked five, setting a new career high for free passes allowed. It was a disappointing result, but it was a tough matchup, and the left-hander has now made 14 starts after missing two full seasons. McClanahan now has a 3.33 ERA on the year, though he has pitched more than five innings in just three of his starts. His next start is scheduled to come at home against the Royals.

McClanahan gave up three hits to score two runs in both the first and third innings, and the Rays opted to pull him after four, even though he seemed to be throwing pretty well and was at just 74 pitches. He threw first-pitch strikes to 17 of 21 batters and generated 14 whiffs with a 34 percent CSW. He also walked only one. It’s a disappointing result, but not one that rates as discouraging. He’ll likely face the Dodgers on Wednesday.

McClanahan wasn’t sharp here, but still didn’t break until the fifth inning. He missed his spot more often than usual with his changeup and hung more than a few curveballs and sliders. Still, he only faced two batters over the minimum through the first four innings before unraveling in the next two frames and being yanked with the bases loaded and nobody out in the sixth. He still has a 2.85 ERA and 1.10 WHIP on the season and is set to face the Angels next time out.

McClanahan only threw 70 pitches as the Rays held back from having him pitch too deep into the game. The lefty missed two full seasons and was off to a shaky start this year, but he’s now allowed one earned run or less in six of his past seven starts. Tampa Bay’s usage will cost him wins, but health and strong ratios are still plenty valuable in fantasy leagues. He draws an attackable matchup on the road against the Marlins next time out.

We have a new scoreless streak starting. McClanahan allowed only three singles today, and one of those was a bunt from Leody Taveras in the fifth. McClanahan committed a throwing error on that play, allowing Taveras to reach second, but he was able to make a better play on a swinging bunt from Tyler O’Neill later in the inning to end the threat. McClanahan gave up four runs last time out against Baltimore, but this makes five scoreless starts in six turns. He’ll likely make his next start Sunday against the Angels.

McClanahan saw his career-best scoreless streak snapped ended at 23 2/3 innings in the third inning of this one. He struck out six and issued a pair of walks. He gave up six hits, including a fifth-inning solo homer to Weston Wilson. The 29-year-old southpaw got plenty of run support from Tampa Bay’s offense in this one and was able to cruise to a relatively stress-free win. He’ll carry a sparkling 2.82 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 47/17 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings into a road tilt against the Yankees to close out a two-start week on Sunday.

McClanahan gave up one hit, walked one and struck out seven. He left with a 3-0 lead, but received a no-decision. McClanahan continues to be sharp in his return from injury. He has a 2.27 ERA on the year. McClanahan is lined up to face the Orioles at home on Monday.

McClanahan has not allowed a run in his last 16 2/3 innings. On Wednesday, he allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out four. He threw 67 percent of his pitches for strikes and posted a 15 percent swinging strike rate and 35 percent CSW. The left-hander threw only eight pitches to left-handed hitters in this game, but posted a 22 percent swinging strike rate on his changeup and dominated with a curveball that had a 78 percent strike rate, 50 percent CSW, and 22 percent swinging strike rate. McClanahan may not have the top-tier fastball that he did prior to his injury, but that pitch remains good enough, and he has good enough secondaries to remain a strong starting pitcher. He’ll face these same Blue Jays on the road in Toronto next week.