Janson

Junk

The Mets jumped all over Junk for six runs in the second inning that included five consecutive hits to start the frame. He came back out for the third inning, and promptly gave up a two-run home run to Christopher Morel. His ERA jumped by more than half a run from 4.00 to 4.54 after this implosion, but he was likely able to avoid a loss after the Marlins stormed back from their 8-0 deficit to take him off the hook before blowing the game again later on. Regardless, it may be difficult to trust him in his next scheduled start against the Diamondbacks on the road despite their offensive deficiencies.

Pulled after five innings, Junk could only watch reliever Jack Ralston came in and immediately load the bases to create a blowout situation. In Junk’s last seven games he’s got a 2.45 ERA in 29 1/3 innings and he has exactly one win to show for it. To be fair, he has only struck out 13 and has only gone more than five innings once in that timespan. It still feels like the Marlins are wasting good starts as they try to hang in the NL Wild Card race. Junk has a matchup with the Mets on deck for next week; at least the Marlins always seem to find a way to beat them in September.

The 30-year-old right-hander struck out two batters on the day while issuing a pair of walks. The lone tally against him came on an RBI double off the bat of Nasim Nuñez in the fifth inning. Unfortunately, the Marlins couldn’t scratch out a single run of support for him. Junk got six whiffs on 65 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of only 17 percent. Now 6-9 on the season, he’ll carry a 4.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 70/28 K/BB ratio (103 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the Cubs.

Junk struck out two in the outing. It’s a strong outcome against the highest-scoring offense in MLB, but Washington was without James Wood, CJ Abrams, and the traded-away Curtis Mead and Luis García Jr. Junk’s streaming upside is limited with so few strikeouts and so little length. He has a rematch with the Nationals in his next start, this time on the road.

Junk gave up eight hits, walked two and struck out two. While this wasn’t his best start, he battled and ended up allowing only two runs. Junk has now allowed six earned runs in 23 2/3 innings (2.33 ERA) over his last five starts. He’s lined up to face the Nationals at home on Sunday.

Junk did a great job of pitching to contact after his offense spotted him a healthy lead. The Marlins jumped all over Pirates’ starter Carmen Mlodzinski and Junk responded with a nearly 70% strike rate. He didn’t miss many bats – only two total whiffs – but kept his four-seamers high and breaking balls low to get through six innings at just 81 pitches. At his best, he can command a deep arsenal and be mildly effective. He’ll take a 4.41 ERA, 64 strikeouts, and 24 walks through 87 2/3 innings into a two-start week against the Phillies and Nationals.

Junk walked one and struck out one in the contest. The damage done against him wasn’t really his fault, as Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a fly ball to the wall in left-center, but his outfielders collided and in doing so, knocked the ball out of their gloves and over the outfield wall for a two-run homer. He was then forced to make an early exit after an extensive rain delay. He’ll look to get back on track as he carries a 4.63 ERA and 1.36 WHIP into Wednesday’s matchup against the Pirates.

Junk was solid yet uninspiring here. He only forced two total swings-and-misses and never seemed overwhelming for a moment. His fastball command was especially poor which forced him to lean on his slider and changeup to grab strikes. He mixed his deep repertoire well otherwise and mostly cruised through his five innings. Also of note, he was pulled at just 79 pitches. That’s now four starts off the injured list for Junk and he’s yet to throw more than 80 pitches. He’s lined up to face the Braves on the road next time out.

Junk gave up seven hits, walked none and struck out six. In two starts this week, he allowed seven runs in 8 2/3 innings. While it wasn’t the two-step fantasy managers were hoping for, Junk pitched well against the Padres on Sunday. He has a 4.89 ERA, but his rotation spot appears to be safe with Max Meyer on the IL. Junk is lined up to face the Mets on the road next weekend.

All of the runs came in the second, which featured three walks, two singles and two homers before Jose Altuve grounded into a double play to end things. Dating back to before his month-and-a-half IL stint, Junk has given up two homers and at least six runs in three of his last five starts. His rotation spot should be safe with Max Meyer just landing on the IL, but he doesn’t seem like a very good bet right now. He’s due to face the Padres this weekend.