Sean

Burke

Burke gave up three hits, two walks and struck out eight. He has a 3.90 ERA that’s mostly supported by his 4.08 xFIP. Burke is having a respectable season with 54 strikeouts in 60 innings. He can be used in the right matchups as a streaming option. Burke is lined up to face the Tigers at home this weekend.

Burke piled up five strikeouts and issued three walks. The damage against him came on run-scoring doubles by Dominic Canzone and Patrick Wisdom in the second and fourth innings. He’s failed to complete five frames in three consecutive starts after accomplishing the feat in six out of seven outings to open the year. He’ll carry a respectable 4.08 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 46/14 K/BB ratio across 53 innings into a home outing against the Twins on Tuesday.

After retiring the first two batters he faced to start the game, Burke allowed back-to-back singles to Alex Bregman and Ian Happ, with Happ’s single driving home the Cubs’ first run of the night. Burke would pitch back-to-back scoreless innings in the second and third innings, but allowed three of the first four batters he faced in the fourth to reach base, with Carson Kelly driving in the Cubs’ second run of the night on a single to bring in Ian Happ. Burke would exit with one out in the fifth inning after allowing back-to-back hits to start the frame, with Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki both doubling home runs. Burke has now struggled in back-to-back outings, allowing 10 earned runs over 8 2/3 innings pitched while letting a combined 17 runners reach base. Prior to his struggles, Burke had allowed four or more earned runs in just one of his seven starts. He’ll look to right the ship in his next outing, which is scheduled for Wednesday at the Mariners.

Most of the damage against Burke came via a two-out grand slam by Luke Raley. Even more frustrating, it came on an 0-2 fastball that Burke threw right down the middle. Alas, his command which has been great to this point was spotty here with far too many pitches bleeding into the heart of the plate. He also struggled to get on top of his knuckle-curve as many of them either hung in the zone or floated to miss way outside against the lefties. He’ll have a chance to right the ship next Thursday against the Royals.

Burke was outstanding again, this time in a traditional start. The 26-year-old didn’t give up a single extra-base hit, and he threw 66-of-88 pitches for strikes without issuing a walk. Over his last three outings, Burke has given up a total of two runs — none in his last two — and he’s looked the part doing so. There could be something here, even if it’s understandable if fantasy managers are skeptical. He’ll face the Mariners in Chicago on Friday.

Burke allowed three hits and didn’t walk anyone. He’s now allowed just one earned run in 13 1/3 innings (two appearances) pitching behind an opener. The righty hasn’t forced his way onto the fantasy radar yet, and that looks unlikely to change with a road game against the Padres up next.

Burke stranded four runners over three scoreless frames before the Diamondbacks brought a run in to score in the fourth on a triple and a groundout. Alek Thomas later took Burke deep for a solo homer in the fifth. Burke’s sixth and final frame was his only clean inning. His day would be done after six with three strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 4.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 20/7 K/BB ratio across 26 1/3 innings into a start against the Nationals in Chicago on Sunday.

The Rays never let Burke settle in here. After a one-two-three first inning, there was constant traffic on the bases and couldn’t miss enough bats to quell those rallies. In fact, he only forced three swings-and-misses all outing against a lineup that isn’t particularly tough to hold down. Yet, he’s on tap for a mildly interesting two-start week against the Diamondbacks and Nationals coming up. Proceed with caution.

Burke split the difference between his first outing (3 ER in 4 IP) and his second outing (1 ER in 6 IP) to maintain his 3.60 ERA. The 26-year-old threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of 20 batters, though his leadoff walk to Gunnar Henderson in the third fueled his one bad inning. He’ll face the Rays next week.

Burke began the second after Grant Taylor’s perfect first and eventually departed with the White Sox up 3-1 after seven. Alas, he was denied a win after Jordan Leasure gave up a two-run homer to Andrés Giménez in the eighth. If the White Sox want to keep using openers in front of Burke, it would make him a more attractive AL-only option. He’s due to face the Orioles next on Wednesday.