Report: Harrison to make shorter starts and relieve

Harrison didn’t allow a run in the first inning, despite giving up a double to Bryan Reynolds, and then got the first two outs in the second before things unraveled. He gave up a walk, an infield single, and a catcher’s interference, and then the wheels really fell off. He gave up atwo-run double, an RBI single, then hit a batter, walked a batter, and hit another batter before being removed from the game. He threw just 58 percent of his pitches for strikes and posted a 10 percent swinging strike rate. In his last four outings, Harrison has allowed 21 earned runs on 27 hits in nine innings. The Brewers may need to make other postseason plans.

Harrison gave up four runs and failed to record an out while pitching in relief against the Reds last weekend. It’s extremely challenging to trust him for fantasy purposes given his recent results and the fact that Milwaukee isn’t going to let him work too deep into games at this stage of the season. However, he offers enough strikeout upside to be worth the risk in deeper formats.

We thought it might be Shane Drohan looking at a move, but then Harrison was pulled in the fourth for a second straight start Sunday against the Reds. He has seen his ERA rise from 2.79 to 3.66 while giving up 15 runs over the last week. It seems like he might be droppable at this point.

Harrison also issued four free passes on the afternoon while striking out four. The Brewers were hopeful that Harrison would bounce back after giving up nine runs against the Cubs on Monday, but he clearly still wasn’t right in this one. The Reds scored against him in every inning, including a two-run blast by Elly De La Cruz that ultimately chased him in the fourth. He got 11 whiffs on 93 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of 27 percent. He’ll try to stop the slide as he carries a 3.66 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 134/33 K/BB ratio (110 2/3 innings) into a rematch against the Reds on Sunday.

Harrison gave up 10 hits, walked two and struck out three. He fell to 10-4 with the loss. Harrison had allowed 14 home runs in 21 starts entering play Monday and then allowed five home runs to the Cubs. Four of the home runs were solo shots, but the Cubs still hit Harrison for nine runs. Harrison’s ERA increased from 2.79 to 3.45 on the season. He’s lined up to face the Reds on the road on Sunday.

Harrison gave up six hits, walked one and struck out five. He now has a 1.88 ERA in 19 2/3 innings over four starts in August. Harrison has a 2.79 ERA in his breakout season. He’s lined up to face the Cubs on the road next week.

Harrison was lights out in Milwaukee on Tuesday, holding the Mariners scoreless over five innings. He scattered two hits and two walks, tossing 49 of 79 pitches for strikes and collecting eight strikeouts. The 25-year-old left-hander will take an outstanding 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 122/26 K/BB ratio across 98 1/3 innings into a start against the Mets in New York next Tuesday.

We had a feeling this would happen. Harrison gave up five runs in the second inning after Jihwan Bae missed the catch at second base on what would have been a 5-4 double play and potentially could have been a 5-4-3 triple play. While throwing miscues on double plays don’t result in errors (“the double play can’t be assumed”), missed catches that would have completed double plays can still be errors, and this one seemed to fit the bill. As a result of the change, Harrison’s ERA drops from 3.47 back down to 2.99.

We might get a change here, as all five of the runs from the second inning could have been unearned after Jihwan Bae fumbled a throw at second base. However, no error was ruled initially. Harrison went on to give up three homers, including a grand slam in that second inning. It might have been a considerably different outing if not for the miscue, but as is, Harrison drops to 9-3 with a 3.47 ERA. He’ll face the Mariners next Tuesday.

It’s a massive relief that Harrison isn’t dealing with anything arm-related following a one-month absence due to a forearm issue. It appears that his early departure was for precautionary reasons after he experienced cramping in both of his calves while warming up for the sixth inning. The 24-year-old southpaw was in the middle of a dominant performance during his return from the injured list, allowing just two baserunners over five shutout innings while recording his fourth double-digit strikeout effort of the season. He struck out eight consecutive batters prior to his early exit. He’s slated to take the ball against the Padres his next time out on Tuesday.