Interesting Starters and a Red Hot Reynolds-June 25, 2026
Tatsuya Imai-Astros-SP
Tatsuya Imai went 6 IP and gave up 0 ER on 2 H, 1 BB, and 10 K’s against the Tigers. Imai has been difficult to figure out this season. The overall line (5.36 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) is ugly, but he has struck out 29% of opposing hitters and owns a respectable 17% K-BB%. The last month has provided some optimism, as he struck out 32% strikeout rate and 24% K-BB%, although the ERA still sits above six. His 4.25 SIERA on the season and 3.00 SIERA over the last month suggest there may be better days ahead if the results ever catch up to the stuff. Today was an encouraging sign.
Troy Melton-Tigers-SP
Troy Melton went 6 IP and gave up 1 ER on 2 H, 0 BB, and 6 K’s against the Astros. Melton has been one of the more surprising stories in Detroit’s rotation, posting a 2.39 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across 37.2 IP. The problem is that the underlying metrics continue to wave red flags, including just a 17% strikeout rate and 11% K-BB%. Over the last 30 days, he has recorded a 2.77 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, but a .157 BABIP and 100% strand rate have done a lot of the heavy lifting. His 4.84 SIERA suggests significant regression is still looming. Hopefully, today was the start of more strikeouts because he has shown the ability to miss bats at the minor league level.
Bubba Chandler-Pirates-SP
Bubba Chandler went 5.1 IP and gave up 1 ER on 5 H, 3 BB, and 4 K’s against the Mariners. Chandler’s rookie season has featured both flashes of brilliance and growing pains. On the year, he owns a 4.42 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 79.1 IP, with a solid 21% strikeout rate but an elevated 13% walk rate. The last month has been more of the same, as he has posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with a modest 11% K-BB%. The good news is that he has cut the walk rate over this time (8% BB), but the strikeouts have dropped as well (19% K). Chandler’s athleticism and stuff still give him plenty of long-term upside, but fantasy managers may need to be patient while he tries to put it all together.
Bryce Miller-Mariners-SP
Bryce Miller went 5.2 IP and gave up 3 ER on 5 H, 0 BB, and 11 K’s against the Pirates. He was undone by the long ball (2 HR). Miller has quietly been dominant whenever he has taken the mound. Through 45.2 IP, he owns a 1.97 ERA and 0.72 WHIP while striking out 33% of opposing hitters and walking just 3%. Over the last month, he has elevated his game even further, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, and 33% K-BB% across 24.0 IP. The combination of strikeouts, control, and a 2.70 SIERA makes him look like one of the premier fantasy starters when healthy.
Bryan Reynolds-Pirates-OF
Bryan Reynolds was 1-3 with 1 R and 1 BB against the Mariners. Reynolds continues to put together another productive season, hitting .291 with 11 HR, 54 R, 52 RBI, and 5 SB through 348 PA. His underlying profile remains solid, highlighted by a 15% walk rate, 21% strikeout rate, and strong quality of contact (11% Barrels and 49% HardHit). He has been even better in June, batting .329 with 5 HR, 14 R, 14 RBI, and 1 SB across 86 PA, while boosting his quality of contact to 15% Barrels and 61% HardHit. Reynolds may not be flashy, but he continues to provide reliable production across all five categories and is enjoying one of his best stretches of the season.
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