Zack

Littell

Littell struck out two, walked three, and allowed four hits. It was a fine performance against one of the lighter-hitting lineups in MLB, and it helped that Toronto was without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Littell remains an innings-eater for Washington’s pitching staff this summer, and he isn’t on the fantasy radar in any format. He’ll carry a 4.94 ERA into his next start, scheduled to come on the road against the Phillies.

Littell took over for Carson Palmquist, who allowed two earned runs over 1 1/3 innings of work. While two runs were charged to Palmquist, it was Littell who gave up the hits that allowed both runs to cross, and it was the sacrifice fly he allowed to Gabriel Moreno in the seventh inning that proved to be the difference-maker. Littell’s outing was far better than the eight earned runs he allowed last week against the A’s, and he’s now allowed one earned run in three of his last four games. He’s set to take the mound next on Wednesday at home against the Blue Jays.

Palmquist opened ahead of Miles Mikolas on Tuesday and gave up four runs in 1 2/3 innings in Colorado. The Nationals will hope the arrangement works better this time.

It’s somewhat impressive that Littell was able to get six innings in, even if they were far from effective. He gave up a five-spot in the first inning and another run in the second, and while he was able to pitch efficiently enough to continue on after — and it probably didn’t make sense to waste bullpen arms in that situation — he gave up two-run homer in the sixth to punctuate the poor effort. Littell has had a few too many of these clunkers, as seen in a 5.34 ERA on the campaign. He’s set to face the D-backs in Arizona on Friday.

He left with a one-run lead, turning it over to the Nationals bullpen after Carson Palmquist went three innings in front of him. Then what usually happens with the Nationals pen happened, depriving Littell of a win. Littell allowed a solo shot to Jasson Dominguez, but that was it. He finishes the first half with a 4.90 ERA. He has some deep-league streaming appeal going forward, especially if he keeps following.

It’s the same thing that happened on Saturday. Even with the Yankees struggling and the increased win chances, streaming Littell would be a bold move. Littell inherited three runners from Palmquist in the second inning last outing and allowed all three of them to score.

Littell allowed three inherited runners to cross the plate after entering the contest in the second inning following lefty opener Carson Palmquist. He managed to reel off six innings of one-run ball on just 87 pitches afterwards, but the damage was already done. He struck out three and issued one walk. He’ll carry an underwhelming 5.02 ERA into his final first-half outing against the Yankees on Friday. He’s not a recommended fantasy option in that tough spot.

It’ll be lefty Carson Palmquist taking the ball as Washington’s opener before turning things over to Littell for an extended relief outing. The 30-year-old veteran has routinely pitched behind an opener this season and boasts a pedestrian 5.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 49/25 K/BB ratio across 80 innings of work. He’s not a recommended fantasy option, especially with temperatures hovering in the triple-digits at Nationals Park during this Fourth of July mid-day affair.

Littell served up a two-run homer to Pete Alonso in the first inning. He then settled in to quiet the Orioles bats over four more scoreless frames, ending his day after five with just the two runs allowed while striking out three. The 30-year-old right-hander will carry a 5.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 49/25 K/BB ratio across 80 innings into a home start against the Pirates on Saturday.

Littell struck out five while pitching the second through fifth innings. He was in line for win when he departed, but a whole lot happened later in the game. Littell, who has a 5.40 ERA in 75 innings, will next start or, more likely, again occupy a bulk role Sunday against the Orioles.