Ian Seymour racks up eight strikeouts in victory

It’s fair to say that Seymour probably should’ve been in Tampa Bay’s season-opening rotation instead of pitching out of the bullpen. The 27-year-old southpaw isn’t overpowering, instead relying on command and pitch sequencing, mixing his sweeper, four-seamer and changeup to keep hitters off balance. He did that to near perfection against a suddenly struggling Yankees lineup in this one, generating an eye-popping 17 swinging strikes and allowing just four batted balls with exit velocities over 95 mph. His lone mistake was a sinker that he left over the plate that Ben Rice took the opposite way for a three-run shot in the third inning. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in six consecutive outings since June 8. He’ll get the ball for Sunday’s first-half finale against the Mariners. Needless to say, Seymour should be rostered in all fantasy formats until further notice.

Seymour will work without an opener when he faces Kansas City for the second consecutive outing in another favorable road matchup. He tossed 6 2/3 hitless innings in a bulk relief outing against the Royals last week. The 27-year-old lefty has been magnificent recently, posting a pristine 3.86 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 20/8 K/BB ratio across 21 innings over five outings since the start of June. He’s an extremely attractive streaming option for fantasy managers, even in shallow mixed leagues.

Casey Legumina retired all four batters he faced before Seymour entered, so this remained a no-hitter until the ninth, when Craig Kimbrel gave up a two-run homer to Carter Jensen. Seymour struck out seven and walked only one. Just two of the balls in play against him were hit hard. The win is his first in four outings since the Rays transitioned him into a starter/bulk guy, but he’s pitched pretty well in amassing a 2.84 ERA and a 19/5 K/BB in 19 innings. His ERA still stands at 4.32 overall, but he’s an option in deeper leagues as long as the Rays keep using him in this fashion. He’ll face the Royals again next week.

Seymour tossed a clean first inning, then gave up a solo homer to CJ Abrams to lead off the second. The Nats brought a second run in on two more hits in the inning. Two hits and a groundout scored a third run in the fifth before Seymour was replaced to start the sixth at 81 pitches. He struck out four. The 27-year-old left-hander will take a 4.98 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 45/19 K/BB ratio across 43 1/3 innings into a start against the Royals in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Casey Legumina allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings an opener today. Seymour then entered and got through the fourth scoreless before giving up two runs in the fifth. Donovan Walton homered to start the scoring, and Seymour went on to walk two batters before allowing an RBI single with two outs. Seymour has a 4.93 ERA and a 41/19 K/BB in 38 1/3 innings this season. He’s in line to start or again pitch in a bulk role against the Nationals on Saturday, but it’s possible the Rays could try something different.

Ian Seymour also figures to play a significant role after throwing four scoreless innings in his start Monday against the Red Sox, but that’s not something the Rays are currently willing to confirm. Assuming Seymour has the bulk role, he’ll be a better bet for a win than a bunch of starters in action on Sunday.

Seymour needed just 55 pitches to navigate four frames after entering Tampa Bay’s starting rotation in place of an ineffective Steven Matz. The 27-year-old lefty didn’t stick around long enough to qualify for a win, but he limited Boston’s offense to just a solo homer by Marcelo Mayer. He struck out five and only issued one walk. There’s some definite streaming appeal when he takes the ball against the Angels on Sunday.

Englert allowed one run over five innings in relief against the Tigers on Wednesday, throwing 82 pitches in the process. Ideally, he’ll end up in similar territory again tomorrow.

Taylor Ward lined out to center before Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman grounded out in a two-run game. Seymour got to close today in place of Bryan Baker, who didn’t pitch after working three of the previous four days. Seymour has a 4.81 ERA in 24 1/3 innings, though his 27/8 K/BB is fine and he’s allowed only three homers and 21 hits.

Seymour made it through the first inning unscathed, retiring all three batters he faced, but allowed a solo homer to Connor Norby in the top of the second inning to give the Marlins their first run of the night. Serving as the Rays’ opener for the night, Seymour was pulled after just two innings, giving way to Jesse Scholtens. This is the first time Seymour has been used as an opener this season, so it seems unlikely he would draw another start any time soon.