John Ober: Everything you need to know

Ober (5-2) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one over five innings to earn the win over the Brewers on Sunday. Ober wasn't nearly as dominant as in his last start, which was a complete-game shutout versus the Marlins on Tuesday. He threw 46 of 77 pitches for strikes and was tagged for home runs by Garrett Mitchell and Christian Yelich, accounting for two of the three runs on the right-hander's line. Ober has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last six outings, but he wasn't quite as sharp against a tough opponent. He's at a 3.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB through 57 innings over 10 starts this season. Ober's next start is projected to be on the road in Boston.

Ober (4-2) earned the win over Miami on Tuesday, allowing two hits and striking out seven batters without issuing a walk over nine scoreless innings. Ober was in complete control throughout Tuesday's outing, limiting the Marlins to just two baserunners on a pair of singles. He retired the final 16 batters he faced and needed only 89 pitches to complete his first career shutout. It was also just the third complete game of Ober's six-year MLB tenure. After struggling to a career-worst 5.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 27 starts last season, the right-hander has pitched much better so far in 2026. He has a 3.46 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB across 52 innings spanning nine starts.

Ober (3-2) was tagged wth the loss Wednesday against the Nationals after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out three. Ober tossed 52 of his 82 pitches for strikes, and overall, this was a step in the wrong direction for the right-hander -- he was coming off three straight outings in which he'd given up two or fewer earned runs while pitching at least six innings each time. Ober, who has a 4.19 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across eight starts and 43 innings this season, is scheduled to make his next start against the Marlins at home next week.