Sean Burke strikes out 10 Astros in loss Saturday

The velocity spike Burke enjoyed a month ago hasn’t held up over his last three starts, but he’s remained awfully effective anyway. The scoreless outing today was his second in three starts, and he has a 1.42 ERA and a 67/9 K/BB in 50 2/3 innings over his last eight turns. With his peripherals backing up his success, he seems like someone who can be counted on in mixed leagues the rest of the way. He’ll face the Red Sox next week.

Burke punched out five opposing hitters on the afternoon while allowing just one base on balls. Both of the hits that he did allow were singles and the Jays never seriously threatened against him. He got 12 whiffs on 98 offerings on the afternoon, registering a strong CSW of 32 percent. For the season, he now sits at 7-4 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 120/34 K/BB ratio over 112 1/3 innings through his first 20 appearances. He’ll look to replicate this fine effort when he tangles with the Astros on Saturday.

The White Sox will return from the break with their top three starters going. This will also set up Erick Fedde for a two-start week against Texas and Houston the following week.

Burke was dominant here from the get-go. He was perfect through the first 13 batters and when Jacob Wilson finally singled in the fifth, he was immediately erased by a double play. His fastball was the star of the show, forcing 10 of his 16 total swings-and-misses and sitting at 96 mph, more than a full tick above its season average. That pitch was so lethal that Burke used it more so as his put-away pitch while mixing his slider, knuckle-curve, and sinker more so early in counts. He had it all going on and ended the first half on a heater not giving up more than two runs in any of his last five starts. Altogether, he’ll head into the All-Star break with a stellar 3.41 ERA, 115 strikeouts, and 33 walks through 105 2/3 innings.

Burke held the Guardians scoreless through four innings before giving up a solo homer to Austin Hedges in the fifth. He completed one more frame, ending his day with just the one run, tossing 66 of 95 pitches for strikes and collecting a career-high 11 strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 3.56 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 106/33 K/BB ratio across 98 2/3 innings into a start against the Athletics in Chicago on Friday.

Burke has recorded at least six strikeouts in seven consecutive outings dating back to May 26. He’s also allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of those outings. The 26-year-old righty boasts a solid 3.69 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 95/33 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings for the upstart White Sox this season, emerging as a viable back-end fantasy rotation starter in the process. He’ll wrap up a two-start week with a road tilt against the Guardians on Saturday.

Burke gave up six hits, walked one and struck out six. He improved to 5-4 with the win. Burke has a 3.71 ERA, but his xFIP is 4.19. He’s been excellent over his last two starts, though, with 14 strike outs, two walks and two runs in 13 2/3 innings. Burke is lined up to face the Orioles on the road next week.

Burke punched out eight hitters in the contest while issuing one walk. He entered in the second inning after Bryan Hudson got the first five outs as an opener for the White Sox. Burke served up a solo homer to Ryan McMahon in the third inning, but that would be the only run that they could muster against him the rest of the way. The 26-year-old got 20 swings and misses on 88 offerings in the game, posting an elite CSW of 39 percent. Now 4-4 on the season, he’ll look to replicate this fine performance as he brings a 3.89 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 81/29 K/BB ratio (81 innings) into Tuesday’s divisional showdown against the Guardians.

It’s the second straight outing in which he’s walked five and the fifth time in his last seven starts that Burke has failed to last five innings. His rotation spot probably isn’t in jeopardy yet, but he’s going to need to do better next week against the Tigers. While his overall 4.15 ERA isn’t bad, he’s at 5.82 since May 8.

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.