2 games · 2 starters · Updated Aug 13, 10:53 AM ET
Two-game slate, both projections high-confidence. Messick is the clear top arm here — 6.5 projected Ks over 6.2 innings against Detroit in a favorable matchup, with a 2.57 season ERA backing the 1.9 projected ER. The peripherals and matchup align as cleanly as you'll see on a short slate. Ashcraft draws a neutral matchup against Miami and projects to 5.7 Ks across 5.6 innings, but the seven days of extended rest is a real flag — rust risk on a righty with a 4.08 ERA is enough to push him clearly behind Messick in the pecking order.
vs Detroit Tigers
| Date | IP | H | ER | BB | K | HR | P | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-07 | 7.0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 97 | W |
| 2026-08-01 | 4.3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 91 | — |
| 2026-07-26 | 7.7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 94 | L |
| 2026-07-21 | 5.7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 88 | — |
| 2026-07-10 | 6.0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 91 | W |
vs Miami Marlins
| Date | IP | H | ER | BB | K | HR | P | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-06 | 5.0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 82 | L |
| 2026-08-01 | 5.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 69 | W |
| 2026-07-26 | 6.0 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 93 | W |
| 2026-07-20 | 3.0 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 74 | L |
| 2026-07-11 | 5.0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 98 | — |
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