Kay allows one-earned run in rain-shortened start

Kay has alternated quality outings with clunkers for much of 2026, and this wasn’t an exception. After striking out eight over six scoreless Monday against the Guardians, the 31-year-old was nowhere nearly as effective while allowing six hits and three walks while striking out four. Kay will try and bounce back against the Guardians — this time in Cleveland — on Friday.

Kay gave up three hits, walked two and struck out eight. He’s had at least seven strikeouts in two of his last three starts. Kay lowered his ERA to 4.24, but his 4.79 xFIP makes him difficult to trust in most fantasy leagues. He’s lined up to face the Royals at home this weekend.

Kay’s cold stretch continued here. Cody Bellinger jumped on him for a two-run home run in the first before the Yankees tacked on two more in the second. He had no feel for either his sweeper or changeup – each an important put-away pitch for him against hitters from each side of the plate – and struggled through most at-bats as a result. Having just faced the Phillies, Dodgers, and now Yankees in consecutive starts, he jumped from a 3.77 ERA on June 1st to a 4.61 mark by the time this one was over. He’s scheduled for a two-start week coming up against the Guardians and Royals.

Kay made it through the first inning without any issue, but ran into a bit of trouble in the second inning. After walking Kyle Tucker to start the inning, Kay would then allow a double and hit Max Muncy to load the bases with no outs. Santiago Espinal would single to drive home two runs, putting the Dodgers up 2-1, but Kay would tightrope his way out of danger after that to limit the damage, and was solid the rest of the way. The lefty was in control of the strike zone all night, allowing just one walk while throwing a strike on 61.8 percent of his pitches. This was a much-needed bounce back after Kay allowed six earned runs in his previous start. Kay will hope to build on this in his next start on Thursday against the Yankees.

After the Braves and White Sox were postponed yesterday, the White Sox opted to bump back the entire rotation a day. Kay will go tonight and Sean Burke will go on Saturday. Neither is a recommended option against the Dodgers.

The game will be made up on August 20. Expect Thursday’s scheduled starters — Anthony Kay and Martin Perez — to be pushed back to Saturday or skipped altogether depending on how each club wants to align their rotations going forward.

After getting through the first inning unscathed, Kay fell victim to the long ball in the second inning when Brandon Marsh belted a two-run shot into center field to tie the game at 2-2. That would be the start of what turned into a disastrous inning for Kay, who would see three more runs cross in the inning before escaping the frame. He would allow a solo homer to Adolis Garcia in the fourth inning to cap the rough outing, and did not return in the fifth inning. While he only walked two batters on the night, Kay threw only 57 percent of his pitches for strikes, and anything in the zone proved hittable. It was the first time since April 27th that he allowed more than two earned runs in a start, so hopefully he’ll be in line for a quick bounce back. That said, things won’t get any easier for Kay the next time he takes the mound, as he’s scheduled to take on the Braves on Thursday.

Wenceel Pérez’s third-inning homer was the only damage. Kay left after a walk and an error to begin the sixth, but fortunately for him, the White Sox didn’t mess around and turned right to Grant Taylor, who successfully negotiated the jam. It’s third straight start in which Kay has allowed exactly one earned run, and he’s 4-0 with a 1.65 ERA in his last five turns. We still wouldn’t want to bet on him in mixed leagues, but it’s been quite a run for the 31-year-old. He’ll make his next start in Philadelphia.

Brooks Lee homered for the Twins as the second batter of the game, but it turned out to be the lone run Minnesota would score. Kay went on to strike out five and walk one. The average exit velocity of his 17 balls in play today was an unusually high 97 mph, but it didn’t much matter. He’ll take a 3.96 ERA into his start against the Tigers on Saturday.

Kay labored through a 35-pitch first inning, giving up one run and leaving the bases loaded. He settled in nicely, pitching into the sixth without giving up another run, allowing just two more runners to reach base on a walk and a hit batter. Kay struck out five. The 31-year-old left-hander will take a 4.27 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a 34/22 K/BB ratio across 46 1/3 innings into a start against the Twins in Chicago on Monday.