Nick

Martinez

Martinez wasn’t overpowering, but was once again extremely efficient, working into the eighth inning before being pulled at just 73 pitches (49 strikes). The year-old veteran surrendered a run-scoring single to Jarren Duran in the third inning, but held Boston scoreless until a two-run double from Marcelo Mayer in the eighth that chased him from the contest. It was a nice bounce-back effort after being tagged for a season-high six runs over four innings by the Tigers in his previous start. He boasts a sparkling 2.43 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 44/13 K/BB ratio across 77 2/3 innings this season. He’ll face a tough test with a road tilt against the Dodgers on Monday.

Martinez was due for a stinker after never allowing more than two runs in any of his first 11 starts. He had just one strikeout and three whiffs today, and he gave up two homers for the first time this season. It took his ERA from 1.62 to 2.29. He’ll look to bounce back at home against the Red Sox next week.

The amazing part here is that Martinez’s ERA went up after limiting Los Angeles to just a pair of run-scoring singles over seven frames. The 35-year-old veteran continues to thrive in his Tampa Bay debut, allowing two runs or fewer for the 11th consecutive start to open the season. He’ll carry a sparkling 1.62 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 41/12 K/BB ratio across 66 2/3 innings into a home matchup against the Tigers on Wednesday.

Martinez allowed baserunners in each of the first five innings, but managed to battle his way out of danger until the fifth inning, when Austin Wells led things off with a solo homer to break a scoreless tie. That homer would be the only run Martinez would allow on the night, but he left the game trailing 1-0 after six innings. Martinez continues to be solid for the Rays, consistently inducing weak contact to get batters out while limiting walks. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in every start this season. Martinez’s next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Orioles, who were swept by the Rays earlier in the week.

Martinez was brilliant once again on Saturday, holding the Marlins scoreless over six innings. He scattered five hits and one walk while striking out four batters. Martinez tossed 53 of 77 pitches for strikes and generated six groundouts to quiet the Miami offense. The 35-year-old right-hander has yet to allow more than two runs in an outing. He’ll take a 1.51 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 35/11 K/BB ratio across 53 2/3 innings into a start against the Yankees in New York on Friday.

Martinez struck out three batters on the afternoon and did not allow a base on balls. The lone blemish on his day came on an RBI single off the bat of Mickey Gasper in the sixth inning. The 35-year-old hurler generated 10 swings and misses on 80 pitches on the day — six of those on his changeup — while posting a solid CSW of 30 percent. He has been brilliant through his first eight starts, registering a 1.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 31/10 K/BB ratio over 47 2/3 innings. He’ll attempt to keep the good times rolling as he takes on the Marlins at home on Saturday.

The official announcement came just minutes before first pitch at Fenway Park. The two teams ultimately decided not to start up the contest and risk a washout by the middle innings based on the local forecast. It’ll be made up as a doubleheader on July 17. It’s a tough break for Payton Tolle’s fantasy managers as it was setting up as an extremely favorable matchup for Boston’s top pitching prospect. The 23-year-old southpaw will presumably be pushed back to Sunday instead, and could theoretically operate in a tandem role with Brayan Bello. We’ll see. Nick Martinez, today’s scheduled starter, will pitch Sunday for the Rays.

Martinez gave up five hits, walked one and struck out four. The 35-year-old right-hander improved to 3-1 on the season with the win. He has an outstanding 1.71 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 42 innings pitched, making him a nice bargain pick so far this year. Martinez will face the Red Sox on the road on Saturday.

Martinez was lifted from the contest following a leadoff walk to Travis Bazzana in the eighth inning after scattering three hits over seven frames. The 35-year-old veteran needed an economical 78 pitches (54 strikes) to work into the late innings of this one. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in five consecutive starts to kick off his Rays debut and sports a sparkling 1.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 24/9 K/BB ratio across 37 innings of work. He’ll face the Blue Jays in a home matchup to kick off a two-start week on Monday.

He also walked one and struck out six while posting a 16 percent whiff rate and 36 percent CSW. Martinez threw 75 percent of his pitches for strikes and showed off his six-pitch mix, even though he relied mainly on his sinker and changeup. This just seemed like a game where Martinez was getting ahead early with the sinker and just kept going to it, mixing in the changeup and cutter to try and get some whiffs. The 35-year-old has been solid for Tampa Bay this season, but he provides a low fantasy ceiling because of his lack of strikeouts. He makes for a fine deeper league streaming against the Guardians next week.