Michael King strikes out six in win over Astros

This was another one of those starts where King simply wasn’t sharp. Facing an all left-handed lineup, far too many of what were meant to be front-hip sinkers bled over the heart of the plate and were tattooed. The home runs he allowed to Nathaniel Lowe and Brayan Rocchio each came off sinkers that wound up right down the middle and of the five batted balls off that pitch three were hard-hit. He also only forced four total swings-and-misses and only got through the middle innings because of all the weak contact his changeup induced. Yet, he completed six innings for the sixth time in eight tries since the start of July and continues to be the horse the Padres need him to be. He’ll take a 3.41 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 124 strikeouts, and 56 walks through 142 1/3 innings into his next scheduled start in New York against the Mets.

Tim Tawa’s homer in the fourth, which was set up by a walk and a single, did all of the damage. King dropped to 6-8 with a 3.45 ERA. The run support really hasn’t been there for him, but this is the first time he’s lost in four games in which the Padres have scored only one run. He had twice won 1-0 and once taken a no-decision after allowing one run in six innings. He’ll face the Astros next.

Michael King had been set to start on Sunday, but he’ll go on Monday instead — assuming he’s still on the team then. Hart, 33, has posted a 4.87 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 36/13 K/BB ratio over 40 2/3 innings in 28 appearances with the Padres this season. He is not a recommended streaming option, even against the Giants.

While all of the trade buzz with San Diego will understandably swirl around electric closer Mason Miller, it’s King that might be the strongest bet to be dealt before next week’s trade deadline. Feinsand notes that King could be an expiring contract that the Padres might offload since he has a $28 million player option for 2027 and a $30 million player option for the following season. He’s set to take the ball against the Giants this weekend and holds a solid 3.38 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 109/50 K/BB ratio across 125 1/3 innings this seaso.

King held the Rockies scoreless through two frames before running into trouble in the third. Willi Castro led things off with a solo homer. Two hits brought a second run in and left a runner on for Mickey Moniak, who took King deep for a two-run blast. King settled in to toss three more scoreless innings, ending his day after six frames with six strikeouts. The 31-year-old right-hander had given up five runs over his last four starts before having his momentum stalled on Tuesday. He’ll take a 3.38 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and a 109/50 K/BB ratio across 125 1/3 innings into a start against the Giants in San Diego on Sunday.

King had his swing-and-miss stuff working here despite struggling with his command. He forced 16 whiffs in total – two off his season-high – and retired eight of the last nine batters he faced. But again, his command was still wonky. His four walks matched a season-high and three of those came in a row to start this game. He was throwing changeups and sweepers that were feet off the plate during that flurry and had to dig deep to only let one run in. It’s incredible how highly effective he’s remained without the fantastic command that made him an ace two seasons ago. In total, he has 103 strikeouts, 49 walks, and a 3.24 ERA across 119 1/3 innings and is scheduled for a juicy two-start week against the Rockies and Giants at home next week.

King pitched to a solid final line here, but it came with more of the unevenness that’s defined his season. He didn’t locate his fastball or sinker particularly well and the Royals made hard-contact against each. He also hung a sweeper that Lane Thomas belted for a 445 foot homer and let too many of his changeups float away from left-handed batters. His command is holding him back from the ace-ceiling he’s shown in the past while his stuff remains good enough to maintain a steady floor of effectiveness. He’s scheduled to face the Braves in Atlanta next time out.

King allowed four hits, walked two and struck out four. After a rough spell in late May and the first half of June, he ends the first half having gone 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA in his final four outings prior to the break. Overall, he’s 6-7 with a 3.41 ERA. He’ll probably start the Padres’ first game out of the break next Friday against the Royals.

King had a 3-0 lead after six, but he then walked Mookie Betts and gave up a single to Max Muncy to open the seventh. He was pulled in favor of Adrian Morejon at this point, and Morejon went on to give up a grand slam to Teoscar Hernández. It was the first runs allowed by Morejon in a month and the first homer he’s given up since May 3. At least it still qualified as a bounce-back outing for King. Throwing a little harder than usual, he allowed just three hard-hit balls and finished with a 32 percent CSW. King will next pitch at home against the Braves on Wednesday.

King walked four. He had a great start in a 1-0 win over the Braves last time out, but that’s his only victory and one of just two quality starts while he’s amassed a 5.45 ERA and a 24/15 K/BB in 38 innings over his last seven outings. He’s not droppable in mixed leagues just yet, but it’d probably be a good idea to sit him in a road start in L.A. next weekend.