Chase Burns roughed up by Giants in rare loss

Burns needed 104 pitches to record his 15 outs, allowing six hits and two walks along the way. He’s up to 136 innings this year after totaling 109 1/3 last season between the minors and majors. Burns has had some lower-velocity outings lately but continues to pitch effectively and pile up the strikeouts. He draws a favorable matchup on the road against the Giants next time out.

It was another dominant outing for Burns, who was in need of a bounce-back after allowing five earned runs in his last outing against the Nationals. Burns needed to be on top of his game to match Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, who allowed just one earned run in seven innings of work. Burns limited the Marlins to just three hits on the night, all of which were singles, and never allowed a runner to get into scoring position. Burns has allowed one earned run or less in four of his last five starts. He’s next scheduled to take the mound Tuesday at home against the Cardinals.

Burns gave up six hits, walked three and struck out six. He fell to 13-2 with the loss. Burns cruised through the first two innings before running into trouble in the third inning. He allowed three hits, including a two-run single. In the sixth inning, Burns allowed three hits to start the inning and was pulled after walking Nasim Nunez to load the bases. Nunez was thrown out at home on an Andres Chaparo double after Burns left the game, which saved him an earned run. He has a 2.61 ERA. Burns is lined up to face the Marlins at home next weekend.

Burns got through six and won his 12th straight decision in spite of a lengthy unofficial delay in the fourth in which the grounds crew spent about 25 minutes working on the infield. He’s 13-1 with a 2.35 ERA through 22 starts. We wouldn’t expect much from him in September, but he’ll probably keep pitching like an ace until the Reds slow him down. He’ll face the Nationals next weekend.

Unable to pick up his defense, Burns gave up a grand slam three batters after an Edwin Arroyo error in the first. He then allowed one more run on a José Ramírez single, two steals and a sac fly in the fifth. Burns’ velocity today was about one mph lower than usual. He remains a fine enough bet for now, but with the Reds fading from contention, he might not pitch much in September. He’s due to make his next start Sunday against the Pirates, though if that happens, it’d be just his second on four days’ rest in the last two months.

It’ll be made up as a split doubleheader on Tuesday instead. Monday’s original starters Chase Burns and Slade Cecconi will presumably beb pushed back to take the ball at some point during the twin bill.

Making his first start since signing a seven-year, $105 million deal with the Reds, Burns shut the Mariners down over five scoreless frames. He scattered three hits and two walks while striking out six batters. The 23-year-old right-hander ends the day with a 2.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 124/39 K/BB ratio across 107 2/3 innings. He’ll take on the Guardians in Cincinnati on Monday.

The long-term extension, which was reported earlier this week, is now official and will keep Burns in Cincinnati through the 2033 season. The flame-throwing 23-year-old earned his first All-Star Game appearance, but declined to pitch in the Midsummer Classic because of groin soreness. He’s expected to make his first start of the second half against the Mariners next week. Burns has rapidly established himself as one of fantasy baseball’s upper-echelon starters, compiling a sparkling 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 118/37 K/BB ratio over 102 2/3 innings across 18 starts. It’s safe to say he’s exceeded even the loftiest expectations and should be among the first pitchers selected in fantasy drafts for years to come.

Burns has been absolutely electric in opening up the season 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA while striking out 118 in 102 2/3 innings before the All-Star Break. Opponents are hitting .223 against his fastball and .154 against his slider, which has been Burns’ main putaway pitch so far this year. It’s hard to forecast seven years out for any pitcher, but if a smaller market team is to invest in one for the long term, it’s hard to do much better than Burns.

It sounds like Burns made the decision to bow out of next week’s Midsummer Classic for precautionary reasons to avoid missing any time coming out of the break. It’s a situation that fantasy managers should monitor closely, but the extra time off should help him be ready to take the ball to open the second half. He was replaced on the National League’s roster by Dodgers lefty Justin Wrobleski.