PAUL BLACKBURN NEWS

Posts another short outing Blackburn (4-5) took the loss against Houston on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two batters over three innings.

Impact Blackburn struggled to get the ball over the plate in the outing, as only 36 of his 69 pitches went for strikes. The right-hander walked three batters, with the final two coming around to score on a Yordan Alvarez three-run homer in the third frame. This was the second straight three-inning start for Blackburn, who has allowed six runs on 10 hits with a 7:6 K:BB over six innings during that time. The recent ineffectiveness has pushed his season ERA up to 4.14, which is accompanied by a 1.54 WHIP and 97:38 K:BB over 95.2 frames.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yanked after three frames Blackburn allowed two runs on six hits and three walks over three innings in Friday's win over Texas. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Blackburn needed 87 pitches (43 strikes) to complete three innings in his inefficient outing. It was his shortest outing since July 9 after nine straight starts of at least five frames. He posted a 5.48 ERA over his first nine starts but has registered a 2.52 ERA over his last nine, lowering his season mark to 3.88. Blackburn is currently projected to start in Houston next week.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns fourth win Blackburn (4-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Angels. He struck out four.

Impact Blackburn walked the first two batters he faced and needed 29 pitches to get through the first inning. The right-hander settled in nicely after that, however, allowing just three more hits and a walk over the next four frames while holding the Angels to one run. Blackburn has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts, lowering his ERA to 3.81 on the season. On the downside, he's also issued multiple walks in four of his last six outings.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yields four runs in loss Blackburn (3-4) allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to take the loss Sunday versus the White Sox.

Impact Blackburn gave up four or more runs for just the third time in his last eight starts. He didn't have enough run support to come close to a win in this outing. For the season, the right-hander has a 4.15 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 86:29 K:BB through 84.2 innings over 16 appearances (15 starts). He's projected for a home start versus the Angels his next time out.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records another quality start Blackburn allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters over six innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Monday.

Impact Blackburn exited the contest in line for his second straight win, but a late Royals rally saddled him with a no-decision. Nonetheless, the right-hander continued his late-summer surge -- over his past six outings, he's picked up four quality starts while posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB over 36 innings. The strikeouts are particularly intriguing, as Blackburn has registered a 9.2 K/9 this season after recording a paltry 6.0 K/9 over nearly 250 innings across his first five MLB campaigns. He's not the most exciting rotation piece in fantasy, but given the improved strikeout numbers and recent run of success, Blackburn is worth at least a look for managers in need of starting pitching.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blanks Cards for third win Blackburn (3-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-0 victory over the Cardinals, allowing six hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Impact In his best performance of the season, Blackburn generated 33 called or swinging strikes on just 86 pitches, and he only ran into trouble in two frames -- he escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the second, then Luken Baker got thrown out at home in the seventh on a one-out double. Since getting rocked by the Red Sox in his first outing after the All-Star break, Blackburn has been sharp, posting a 2.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB through 30 innings over his last five starts. He'll look to keep rolling when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come at home early next week against the Royals.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Blackburn, A's blank Cardinals Paul Blackburn threw seven scoreless innings as the visiting Oakland Athletics blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 8-0 on Wednesday.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Shaky control against Nats Blackburn (2-3) took the loss Friday as the A's were downed 8-2 by the Nationals, giving up four runs on eight hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Impact While he wasn't hit all that hard -- only one of the hits off Blackburn, a Keibert Ruiz solo shot in the fifth inning, went for extra bases -- the veteran right-hander tossed only 60 of 103 pitches for strikes as he tied his season high in free passes. Blackburn has stumbled to a 5.19 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB in 34.2 innings over seven appearances (six starts) since the beginning of July, but he'll look to rebound in his next outing, which is likely to come next week in St. Louis.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses six-inning gem Saturday Blackburn didn't factor into the decision in the Athletics' win over the Giants on Saturday, firing six scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and three walks. He struc...

Impact The right-hander was pulled after 105 pitches, but there was plenty to be encouraged about from what was Blackburn's second straight quality start and third consecutive surrendering two runs or fewer. After a delayed beginning to the season that saw him struggle to achieve start-to-start consistency over the first month-plus, Blackburn's current three-start run has seen him pitch to a 1-0 record, 1.56 ERA and 0.5 HR/9 across his last 17.1 innings. He lines up to next take the hill on the road against the Nationals during next weekend's interleague series.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Turns in quality start Blackburn (2-2) allowed two runs on nine hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Saturday over the Rockies.

Impact Blackburn matched his season high in giving up nine hits, but he was able to escape Colorado relatively unscathed. This was his second quality start of the season, and it was also the second time he's completed six frames. The right-hander trimmed his ERA to 4.83 with a 1.57 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB through 54 innings over 11 games (10 starts). He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Giants next weekend.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pitches well in no-decision Blackburn allowed a run on five hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Saturday.

Impact Blackburn gave up the opening run, an Alex Bregman solo home run, in the sixth inning, but Oakland was able to take the lead back in its half of the frame. It was a good bounce-back for Blackburn after he was tagged for six runs in his previous outing. He's still walked multiple batters in three of his last four appearances and carries a 49:18 K:BB with a 5.06 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through 48 innings this season. The right-hander is tentatively lined up for a challenging road start in Colorado next weekend.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged for six runs Blackburn (1-2) allowed six runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Red Sox.

Impact Blackburn's last outing was a relief appearance versus Boston before the All-Star break. He'll be happy to put the Red Sox in the rear-view mirror, as they've posted eight runs over 6.2 innings against him in those two outings. For the season, the right-hander is at a 5.48 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB through 42.2 innings over nine appearances (eight starts). He'll look to get back on track in a tough projected home start versus the Astros over the weekend.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works in relief Sunday Blackburn (illness) was charged with a blown save in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk over one inning of relief. He struck out one.

Impact After being scratched from Saturday's start due to illness, Blackburn was afforded some relief work before the All-Star break and didn't fare well. The right-hander needed 39 pitches to get through his one frame, which started off on the wrong foot with a solo home run by Adam Duvall and eventually also included a game-tying Christian Arroyo RBI double. Blackburn will now have several days of rest before returning to action in his usual rotation role, and he'll be aiming to improve on the 5.73 ERA and 1.68 WHIP he's generated over the 22 innings covering his last five appearances (four starts).

JULY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

A's scheduled starter Blackburn scratched because of illness; Pruitt set to take his spot

Oakland Athletics scheduled starting pitcher Paul Blackburn has been scratched because of an illness for Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park

JULY 8, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scratched with illness Blackburn was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Red Sox due to illness.

Impact The fact that Blackburn is dealing with an illness rather than an injury means he's probably not going to miss more than one start, but he'll miss at least one unless he's healthy enough to pitch Sunday and the A's elect to bump JP Sears. Austin Pruitt will be the first pitcher on the hill Saturday in Blackburn's absence.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Coughs up five runs Blackburn (1-1) allowed five runs on six hits and four walks over five innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against the White Sox.

Impact All five runs charged to Blackburn came during an ugly third inning. After issuing a total of four walks in his previous four starts, he walked a season-high four batters Sunday. He's allowed at least four runs in three of his first seven outings this season, resulting in a 4.50 ERA with a 40:12 K:BB through 36 frames. Blackburn's next outing is lined up to be in Boston.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first win Blackburn (1-0) allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Yankees.

Impact Blackburn was able to limit the damage to a Josh Donaldson solo home run in the fifth inning. This was his first win in six starts since making his season debut after starting the year on the shelf with a finger injury. He's done a decent job of keeping offense down with a 3.77 ERA, though he has a 1.39 WHIP and 35:8 K:BB over 31 innings overall. Blackburn is lined up for a weekend start at home versus the White Sox.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Blackburn pitches Athletics to 2-1 victory over Yankees in Josh Donaldson's return

Paul Blackburn pitched into the sixth inning for Oakland, allowing one run on Josh Donaldson’s homer in his return to the lineup and sending the Athletics to a 2-1 victory over the...

JUNE 28, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fans seven in no-decision Blackburn allowed four runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Impact Blackburn was staked to an early four-run lead but couldn't hold it, giving up three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth. The right-hander ended up with his fifth straight no-decision after coming off the injured list to make his season debut May 29. Blackburn notched seven strikeouts Wednesday, continuing a surprising trend that has seen him tally 30 punchouts over 25.2 innings on the campaign. Prior to this season, he had never come close to averaging a strikeout per inning, topping out at a 7.2 K/9 last year. The improved strikeout ability and Blackburn's tolerable 4.21 ERA has given him some mild fantasy value, though he's unlikely to find himself in the win column very often given Oakland's standing as one of the league's worst offensive teams.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blackburn taking reins as leader of A's rotation OAKLAND -- Paul Blackburn had visions of recapturing his first-half success from a year ago that earned him a trip to the All-Star Game. A l...

JUNE 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

Records season-high nine strikeouts Blackburn did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out nine.

Impact Blackburn got in a jam in the second inning after Harold Ramirez reached on a fielding error by Ryan Noda to lead things off. The right-hander then went on to cough up three straight hits, which brought two runs home, before uncharacteristically striking out the side - all swinging, to get out of the inning. He wasn't quite able to make it through six innings but still managed to post a season-high nine strikeouts on the afternoon en route to his fourth consecutive no-decision. He'll look to earn his first win of the season when the A's travel to Cleveland to take on the Guardians next week.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Six scoreless in no-decision Blackburn did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk over six scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over Milwaukee. He struck out five.

Impact Blackburn completed a season-high six innings and notched his first scoreless appearance of the year. The 29-year-old's 2023 debut was delayed due to a finger injury, so he's made only three starts thus far with mixed results. He held Atlanta's offense to just one run on four hits over four innings and struck out a season-high six, but he fell flat versus Miami, giving up five runs with a 3:2 K:BB across five innings, before his dominating outing versus Milwaukee on Saturday. Blackburn will look to make it back-to-back quality starts next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for the finale of a four-game set versus Tampa Bay.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged for five in no-decision Blackburn did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Marlins. He struck out three.

Impact Blackburn held Miami to two runs through four innings before Garrett Cooper blasted a three-run homer in the fifth. Through his first two starts this season, Blackburn's allowed six runs on 11 hits with a 9:4 K:BB over nine innings. He's currently scheduled to face the Brewers in his next outing.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses four innings in return Blackburn allowed one run on four hits and two walks over four innings during Monday's win over Atlanta. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Blackburn made his season debut Monday after posting a brutal 7.50 ERA through 18 minor-league rehab innings. After allowing a run in the first inning, he settled in for a strong outing, though he needed 81 pitches to get through four frames. Blackburn forced 12 whiffs, which would tie the second-highest total he produced during the 2022 season. The 29-year-old righty is projected to start in Miami this weekend.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated for season debut Blackburn was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Athletics on Monday.

Impact Blackburn is set to make his season debut for the A's on Monday versus Atlanta after recovering from a cracked fingernail and blister issues. He was up-and-down on his rehab assignment and faces a difficult matchup in his first start back, making Blackburn a pretty easy sit in fantasy leagues for now.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE