Matthew Boyd picked up the win on Sunday against the Royals, tossing seven innings of two-run ball while allowing five hits and three walks.
Boyd only struck out three, continuing a recent theme of strong results despite few Ks. The veteran lefty had a 31 percent strikeout rate with a 6.00 ERA before suffering an early-season injury, and his strikeout rate has been cut in half since he returned. However, he’s been much more effective at preventing runs during this stretch, throwing fewer four-seamers in favor of more breaking pitches. Pitching in front of a genuinely elite defense helps, too. He’ll aim to keep rolling next time out, at home against the Cardinals.