Padres' Joe Musgrove: Bounces back with quality start
Rotowire
Musgrove didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts over six innings against the Reds.
After being tagged for seven runs and four long balls in his last start, Musgrove set a season high in strikeouts and notched his fourth quality start of the campaign. While three of the four hits did go for extra bases, including a first-inning solo homer by Spencer Steer, Musgrove was able to keep his opponent to less than three runs for the first time in four starts. Through eight starts, Musgrove owns a 2.2 HR/9 after having not allowed more than 1.1 HR/9 since 2017. He's tentatively scheduled for a start Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Musgrove (3-3) allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks over 3.2 innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Phillies.
Musgrove was cursed by the long ball Friday. He gave up a leadoff shot to Kyle Schwarber to begin the game before Philadelphia crushed three more homers during a four-run third inning. Musgrove is still searching for some consistency and his ERA has shot up to 6.94 through seven starts (35 innings). While he's struck out more than five batters just one time in 2024, he set a new season best by forcing 15 whiffs Friday, including seven with the slider. Musgrove will carry a lackluster 27:13 K:BB into his next outing, which is projected to come at home against the Reds.
Musgrove (3-2) got the win Sunday over the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three over seven innings.
Musgrove reached seven innings for the first time this season and the first time since July 4 of last year. Most of the damage against him in this one came from the long ball when Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement took him deep in back-to-back innings early on. Schneider then later grounded in a run in the seventh before Musgrove's day concluded. He's exhibiting lower strikeout numbers early on compared to past seasons and has five or fewer strikeouts in all but one start thus far. Musgrove will take a 5.74 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB (31.1 innings) into his next start, which projects to come against the Phillies.
Musgrove (2-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings Monday, striking out three and earning a win over the Brewers.
Musgrove produced a fairly lackluster line, but it was his second quality start of the year. He coughed up all three runs in the first two innings before settling in for a decent outing. The 31-year-old righty still hasn't found a groove in 2024; Musgrove is sporting a 6.29 ERA with a 20:11 K:BB through 24.1 frames. He forced just six swinging strikes Monday, tying his lowest mark of the year. Musgrove is currently in line to face the Blue Jays at home this weekend.
Musgrove (1-2) was handed the loss Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.
All of the damage against Musgrove came in the fifth, as he surrendered a solo homer to Yan Gomes to open up the inning, then gave up a walk, a single and a hit-by-pitch to load the bases. While Musgrove was pulled at that point, he was stuck with three earned runs as reliever Stephen Kolek surrendered a grand slam to Christopher Morel on his very first pitch. After finishing each of the last three seasons with an ERA below 3.20, Musgrove's ERA sits at 6.87 through four starts. He's allowed at least four runs in all but one appearance and will look for improvement Monday when he's projected to start against the Brewers.
