Kumar Rocker: Everything you need to know

Rocker (1-2) took the loss Sunday against the Athletics, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out three. The Athletics got to the 26-year-old right-hander early, scoring both of their runs in the opening frame, but Rocker regained his footing thereafter. While he did tie a season low in strikeouts, Rocker turned in his second straight start of at least six frames while yielding two runs or fewer. Rocker has a respectable 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB across his first 26.2 innings, but a tough assignment against the Tigers is on tap for his next outing.

Rocker (1-1) earned the win against the Pirates on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five across six innings. Rocker gave up an RBI single to Ryan O'Hearn in the first inning, but that was the only run that the former gave up in Tuesday's outing as he kept the Pirates' bats in check by inducing 11 ground balls. It was both Rocker's first win and quality start since July 19 against the Tigers. He has yielded three runs or less in each of his four starts this season for a 3.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 20.2 innings. Rocker is slated to start this weekend at home against the Athletics.

Rocker allowed two runs on four hits, four walks and a hit batsman while striking out six over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Wednesday. Rocker's four walks were a season high, but so were the six strikeouts. In the end, it was an inefficient performance for the right-hander, who was unable to complete five frames with his 97 pitches (59 strikes). Through three starts this season, he has a 4.30 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 14.2 innings. Rocker will need to improve at limiting traffic on the bases, as that's what has kept him from pitching deeper into games so far. His next start is tentatively projected to be at home versus the Pirates.