Emerson Hancock: Everything you need to know

Hancock took a no-decision Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four. While the right-hander did serve up a pair of home runs and threw only 53 of his 94 pitches for strikes, he still delivered a strong performance overall Sunday. Hancock pitched at least five frames in his sixth consecutive start to open the campaign, and he still hasn't given up more than three runs in any outing yet. Hancock is filling in admirably for the injured Bryce Miller (oblique), producing a 2.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB through 34.2 innings, and he'll be looking to continue his success against the Royals next weekend.

Hancock allowed three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters over five-plus innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Monday. Hancock held the A's to just one run (on a Carlos Cortes solo homer) through five frames, but he then served up back-to-back solo shots to Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers in the sixth before being pulled. It was just the second time through five outings that Hancock has been unable to complete six frames, and Monday marked the first time the right-hander has served up more than one long ball in a contest. Hancock has opened the campaign pitching quite well, posting a 2.83 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB through 28.2 innings.

Hancock allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Wednesday. Hancock logged his third quality start in four outings this season. He was working a shutout through five innings, but Xander Bogaerts' tagged him for a two-run home run in the sixth, which was just the second long ball Hancock's yielded this season. He's showing breakout potential with a 2.28 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB across 23.2 innings so far. Hancock is projected to make his next start at home versus the Athletics early next week.