Troy Melton shuts out Mariners over seven in win

Melton’s 23.1 percent strikeout rate isn’t overwhelming, but he’s been about as effective as any pitcher in the majors since joining the Detroit rotation two months ago, going 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 67 innings over 11 starts. Regression will surely come at some point; he could well remain an above average starter, but the stuff seems shy of ace quality. He’s a really good bet again next week, though, as he’s due to face the Mariners in Seattle.

Melton punched out five opposing hitters in the contest while issuing four free passes. He kept the Royals off the board until the sixth inning when Michael Massey smacked a leadoff single and Isaac Collins followed with a two-run blast. The 25-year-old righty got 10 whiffs on 90 pitches on the evening, posting a CSW of 29 percent. He’ll try to get back in the win column as he carries a stellar 1.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a 55/19 K/BB ratio (60 innings) into Tuesday’s showdown against the Orioles.

Melton scattered four hits and four walks on the evening. The lone tally against him came on a ground out off the bat of Josh Lowe in the opening inning, that could have been an inning-ending double play, but Zach McKinstry was late going over to cover second base. Melton got a whopping 18 swings and misses on 94 pitches on the night — six on his fastball — while posting an elite CSW of 38 percent. He now holds a brilliant 1.80 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and a 50/15 K/BB ratio over 55 innings through his first nine starts on the season. He’ll do battle against the Royals his next time out on Thursday.

Melton allowed four hits and one walk. His nine Ks were a career high, as he’s been excellent since returning from an elbow issue earlier this season. He now has a 22/2 K/BB over his past three starts, and he’s allowed more than two earned runs in just one of his eight outings on the year. Melton likely won’t carry an ERA this low for long, but he’s a must-start fantasy option heading into the second half.

Melton allowed one walk and two hits. He was in line for the victory before Drew Anderson blew the save in the ninth, though Detroit still won in extras. Melton now has a 2.05 ERA through seven starts after missing most of the first two months with an elbow injury. Additionally, he has a 23:4 K/BB ratio over his past four starts. Melton will be a must-start fantasy option next time out at home against the A’s.

Melton allowed just two hits in the contest and didn’t walk a batter. He retired the first 16 hitters that he faced in the game until Taylor Trammell walloped a solo homer to break a scoreless tie with one out in the sixth inning. That was enough to do him in. Melton generated 15 swings and misses on 88 pitches in the game — six of those on his fastball — while posting a CSW of 26 percent. He’ll bring an outstanding 2.39 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and a 25/9 K/BB ratio (37 2/3 innings) into a tough matchup against the Yankees in New York on Tuesday.

Melton punched out five opposing hitters on the afternoon while issuing three free passes. The only hit that he allowed came from the first batter of the game, as Sam Antonacci crushed a leadoff homer on Melton’s second pitch. He settled in beautifully from there though and blanked them over the rest of his six innings. Melton got 11 whiffs on 84 pitches on the day, registering a CSW of 27 percent. Now 4-0, he’ll carry a 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a 19/9 K/BB ratio (31 2/3 innings) into Thursday’s matchup against the Astros.

Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press speculates that Verlander is healthy but the Tigers don’t seem to think he’s ready to pitch in the majors from a performance standpoint, which is why he didn’t take the ball for Monday’s series opener against the Astros. There’s a chance the club decides he’s ready later this week, especially since Troy Melton is now dealing with a back issue that throws his availability into question.

Drew Anderson will take the ball in his place. Melton will undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the issue. It’s unclear whether he’ll take the ball at some point later this week. The 25-year-old has posted a strong 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 14/6 K/B ratio across 25 2/3 innings through four starts since making his season debut last month. It’s a tough break for fantasy managers since he was in line for a potential two-start week against the Astros and White Sox. There should be some additional clarity on his status in the coming days.

All four homers were solo shots, and Melton struck out five and walked none in improving to 3-0. He joined Logan Gilbert in earning a win this season despite allowing four homers. It typically happens once or twice a year: Tony Gonsolin was the only pitcher to do it last season, and Sonny Gray and Kutter Crawford were the two pitchers to pull it off in 2024. Melton should get the Astros on the road and the White Sox at home next week, making him a nice streaming option.