If you just look at a pitcher’s record, you’re going to miss on some solid seasons, as well as overpay for some that were, well, unimpressive. Pitching for the Detroit Tigers isn’t exactly rewarding, as Matthew Boyd was actually quite impressive in 2019. Despite his 9-12 record, he logged a career-high 185.1 innings, posted a lofty 30.2 percent strikeout and recorded a 1.23 WHIP. His 4.56 ERA wasn’t desirable, but his 4.32 FIP and 3.88 xFIP indicate that it should have been a bit lower and slightly more attractive for fantasy owners. It was a breakout season for the 29-year-old southpaw, but is there room to grow moving forward?

 

After posting a walk rate north of seven percent in each of the four previous seasons, it was great to see Boyd get that mark down to 6.3 percent in 2019. The added strikeouts and diminished walks gave him a career best 4.76 K/BB ratio. That mark ranked him 10th amongst qualified starters in 2019. Excellent! How’d he get there? Well, he made a few...