Eflin will start Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Rangers on Wednesday.
One of the top breakout arms of 2023, Eflin finished strong with a 2.98 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 54 strikeouts over 45.1 innings in his final eight starts. Tyler Glasnow is starting Game 1.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Picks up 16th win
Rotowire
Eflin (16-8) earned the win Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings against Boston. He struck out four.
Eflin cruised through four innings Tuesday, holding the Red Sox scoreless until Enmanuel Valdez's three-run homer in the fifth. Still, the Rays were able to hang on to a 9-7 victory, giving Eflin his 16th win, third most in the Majors. The 29-year-old right-hander closed out the regular season on a high note, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last eight starts. Eflin will finish an impressive first year in Tampa with career bests in ERA (3.50), WHIP (1.02), strikeouts (186) and innings pitched (177.2).
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Notches 10 strikeouts
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Eflin struck out 10 and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win over Angels. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk over five innings.
Eflin reached the double-digit strikeout mark for the third time this year. He has an active steak of seven straight starts allowing three runs or fewer, dating back to Aug. 19. Over that span, Eflin is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 50:6 K:BB over 40.1 innings. The 29-year-old has shined in his first season in Tampa Bay with a 3.44 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 182:24 K:BB over 172.2 innings. Assuming the Rays stick to their standard rotation, his next outing -- potentially last of the season -- should be at Boston.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Dominates Orioles
Rotowire
Eflin (15-8) allowed one earned run on one hit and no walks while striking out eight across seven innings to earn the win Friday against the Orioles.
In a pivotal series for the Rays, Eflin stepped up to deliver an excellent performance, marking the third time in his last 12 starts that he's managed to work at least seven innings. In that same span, he's allowed one run or zero on six occasions, a stretch that has helped him lock in a career-best year by nearly every statistical measure.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Grabs 14th win
Rotowire
Eflin (14-8) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Mariners. He struck out six.
Eflin wasn't at his best Sunday -- he's now allowed three runs over five innings in each of his last two starts. However, he did enough to earn his 14th win, tied for fifth-most in the league. Eflin's ERA now sits at 3.53 with a 1.05 WHIP and 164:23 K:BB across 28 starts (160.2 innings) this season. He's currently scheduled for a road matchup with the Orioles in his next outing.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Goes five innings in no-decision
Rotowire
Eflin did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Boston. He struck out seven.
Eflin only managed to make it through five innings Tuesday after logging quality starts in five of his previous six outings. He's worked to a 2.97 ERA in his last seven starts, issuing just four walks in that span (39.1 innings). Overall, Eflin's 13-8 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 158:21 K:BB through 27 starts (155.2 innings) this season. He's currently lined up for a home matchup with the Mariners in his next outing.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Settles for no-decision
Rotowire
Eflin pitched 6.1 scoreless innings against Miami on Wednesday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out four batters in a no-decision.
Eflin was excellent in the outing, preventing the Marlins from putting on more than one baserunner in any inning. The right-hander notched his third straight quality start and was very efficient with just 69 pitches over 6.1 frames but had to settle for a no-decision since Miami starter Jesus Luzardo was nearly unhittable. Eflin lowered his season ERA to 3.40 with the standout start, and he's already set a career high with 13 victories. He's bounced back well from a three-inning, six-run dud against Cleveland on Aug. 13, posting a 1.47 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 18.1 frames over his subsequent three starts.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Strikes out 11 but takes loss
Rotowire
Eflin (13-8) took a tough-luck loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over six frames versus the Yankees. He struck out 11.
Eflin matched counterpart Gerrit Cole with a season-high 11 punchouts, but he exited with the Rays down one and the Yankees eventually pulled away to saddle Eflin with a loss. It was the right-hander's second double-digit strikeout game of the season after he fanned 10 Pirates back in early May. Eflin had a scare with his knee in late July but has bounced back with four superb starts in five August outings.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Cruises to 13th victory
Rotowire
Eflin (13-7) earned the win in an 18-4 victory over the Angels in the second game of a twin bill Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.
Neither team scored through three frames, but the Rays put six runs on the board between the fourth and fifth innings, and Eflin took advantage of the support. The right-hander allowed just one extra-base hit -- a Hunter Renfroe homer in the fifth frame -- and logged his 14th quality start of the campaign. He's won nine of those outings, helping to boost his season victory total to 13, tied for third-most in the majors. That's already a career high for Eflin, whose previous best win total was 11 with the Phillies in 2018.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Roughed up in short outing
Rotowire
Eflin (12-7) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on nine hits and one walk over three innings against Cleveland. He struck out three.
The Guardians were all over Eflin, who allowed multiple hits in each of his three innings, including four extra-base hits, two of which left the yard. It's been a bit of an up-and-down bag for Eflin over his past six starts, as he's allowed one or fewer runs over six or more innings in three of the appearances while allowing at least five runs over four or fewer innings in his other three games. He'll look for a rebound next weekend, as he's lined up for a road matchup with the Angels.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Ready to start Tuesday
Rotowire
Eflin (knee) said he is "good to go" for his scheduled start against the Yankees on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The right-hander left his previous start Wednesday with left knee discomfort, but he's been cleared for his next turn through the rotation after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday with no issues. Eflin has surrendered five runs in two of his past three starts but still has a career-best 3.64 ERA through 20 outings this season.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Throws off mound
Rotowire
Eflin (knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays wanted to test Eflin's left knee by having him throw off a mound after he tweaked the knee Wednesday versus the Marlins, and manager Kevin Cash said Eflin's session went well and the right-hander is "doing better." However, it remains unclear whether Eflin will be able to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Plays catch Friday
Rotowire
Eflin (knee) played catch without issue Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Eflin was removed from his last start Wednesday against the Marlins due to left knee discomfort, but an MRI taken Thursday came up clean and he could potentially take the hill on normal rest next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The 29-year-old boasts an 11-6 record, 3.64 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 116:17 K:BB through 116.1 innings (20 starts) this season.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Still considered day-to-day
Rotowire
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday in an interview on MLB Network Radio that Eflin (knee) remains day-to-day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Eflin was lifted from his last outing Wednesday versus the Marlins due to left knee discomfort, but an MRI didn't reveal anything overly alarming. At this point it seems he has a good chance to avoid the injured list and potentially make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Could make next start
Rotowire
Eflin could potentially make his next scheduled start Tuesday versus the Yankees after an MRI on his left knee didn't show anything overly concerning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Eflin was forced to exit Wednesday's loss to the Marlins with left knee discomfort, but it looks like he's avoided any serious setbacks. The right-hander has had plenty of past knee issues, but the hope is that he will merely need rest and treatment and will be able to avoid the injured list.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Requires MRI
Rotowire
Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Marlins that Eflin (knee) will undergo an MRI, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Eflin was dealt his sixth loss of the season Tuesday after serving up five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three before departing following the fourth inning. The Rays attributed his early exit to left knee discomfort, and Cash said that Eflin's upcoming MRI will provide a better sense on the source of the pain. Eflin can be considered day-to-day for the time being and tentatively lines up to make his next start early next week agains the Yankees, though a trip to the injured list remains a possibility at this stage.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Exits with knee discomfort
Rotowire
Eflin was removed from his start Wednesday against the Marlins after four innings due to left knee discomfort, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports. He gave up five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three.
Eflin's early exit initially appeared to a result of him being knocked around by the Miami offense, but Tampa Bay later relayed that an injury played a role in the right-hander being lifted after 53 pitches. The Rays will likely evaluate Eflin after the game and possibly even in send him in for an MRI before determining whether he'll be ready to make his next turn through the rotation. On a fortunate note for Eflin, it was an injury to his other knee that forced him to the injured list earlier this season, so he doesn't appear to be dealing with a related setback.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Strikes out eight in 11th win
Rotowire
Eflin (11-5) earned the win Friday, allowing two hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings against the Orioles. He struck out eight.
Eflin tossed seven scoreless frames for just the second time this year en route to his 11th win, tying his career-best mark from 2018. It was a major bounce-back performance for the right-hander, who was roughed up for five runs over three innings against the Royals in his last start. Eflin has been as advertised in his first season with Tampa Bay, posting a 3.36 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 113:16 K:BB across 19 appearances (112.1 innings). His next start is lined up for a home matchup versus the Marlins.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Roughed up by Royals
Rotowire
Eflin (10-5) took the loss Sunday against the Royals, allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings. He did not strike out or walk a batter.
Eflin was pulled after just 46 pitches in his shortest start of the season. He tied his season high with seven hits allowed after the Royals pounced on him for one run in the first inning and four in the second while lacing three extra-base hits. Eflin had struck out at least five hitters in each of his last eight starts but wasn't fooling anyone Sunday, recording his second outing this year with zero strikeouts. He still holds a respectable 3.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 105:15 K:BB in 105.1 innings and will look to bounce back in what projects to be a home matchup against Baltimore.
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Rays' Zach Eflin: Secures 10th victory
Rotowire
Eflin (10-4) earned the win Sunday versus Atlanta after he allowed two runs on four hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out five.
The 29-year-old closed out the first half of the season with another strong performance, though it's just the fifth time in 17 starts that he lasted fewer than six innings. The Rays were leading 8-2 when Eflin was lifted with just 77 pitches, and the club may have been opting to limit his workload given he hasn't thrown more than 105.2 frames in a season since 2019. The right-hander is in the midst of the best year of his career with a 3.25 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 105:15 K:BB through 102.1 innings.
