Vargas (5-3) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks across six innings in Monday's loss to the Yankees. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas did well to limit baserunners for the most part but was bitten by the long ball, which accounted for all three runs on his ledger. He struggled to find the strike zone at times and tied a season high with three free passes, one of which came around to score. The left-hander was terrific to start the season and still holds a sterling 2.30 ERA, but he has given up nine earned runs and three home runs in his last 10 innings -- issues that used to plague him in his earlier days. Vargas has now suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season and will have the chance to bounce back Saturday against the Indians.

Vargas (5-2) coughed up six runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings while striking out four in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

The shellacking doubled Vargas' ERA on the season to a still-tiny 2.03. The veteran lefty has only given up more than one run in a start twice so far this season, and his peripherals (including a 43:10 K:BB through 48.2 innings) suggest that he may not be pitching as far over his head as it appears at first glance. He'll get a rematch with New York in Yankee Stadium on Monday.

Vargas, who's 5-1 with a MLB-best 1.01 ERA, is finding success with a brand new release point he's employed this season, Devan Fink of SB Nation reports.

EDGE Analysis

Trying to make sense of Vargas' success is not an easy task. He's an aging left-hander whose fastball is one of the slowest in the league -- not to mention he missed practically all of 2016 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Yet, somehow, Vargas is pitching better than ever in 2017 while posting numbers comparable to Clayton Kershaw and Chris Sale. Fink's report points to a couple of factors for the veteran's early-season accomplishments, with the most notable change being Vargas releasing the ball at a lower point than ever before. Admittedly, the same size is still a bit small for making sweeping conclusions, and the veteran has also been a bit lucky along the way (.264 BAA). Regardless, the 34-year-old is deserving of a roster spot across all formats until regression occurs. Without drawing too close of a comparison, it's worth recognizing that 2016's ERA champion, Kyle Hendricks, was also off the radar for such honors before the campaign started.

Vargas (5-1) pitched seven scoreless innings with just three hits and a walk allowed while striking out four batters during Thursday's win over Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas was in cruise control throughout Thursday's outing, and he's now allowed one run or fewer in six of seven starts. With a 1.01 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and five wins, the veteran lefty has been exceptional, and his 2.17 FIP suggests there might not be significant negative regression ahead. Until proven otherwise, Vargas is a set-and-forget option. He lines up to face the Yankees in his next trip to the hill.

Vargas (4-1) allowed no runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings, but received no decision Saturday against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas silenced the Indians bats and left the contest with the 1-0 lead, but the bullpen was unable to hold on, costing him a potential victory. He's been nothing short of amazing this season, as he's allowed one or fewer runs in five of his six starts, and his ERA is an amazing 1.19. He'll be a top fantasy option each week until he shows signs of slowing down, especially since the 12-year veteran's production has been completely unexpected. He'll make his next start Thursday against the Rays.

Vargas (4-1) allowed one run on five hits while walking three and striking out one over six innings for the victory over the White Sox on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas continues to be one of Kansas City's lone bright spots after a rough first month of the season. In his first five starts, the veteran left-hander hasn't given up more than three runs, although Monday saw him walk his most batters and strike out the fewest. He's sporting a healthy 8.2 K/9 and is displaying excellent command. This won't last forever, though, and an unusually high 84.5 percent strand rate and 3.34 xFIP point to regression down the road.

Vargas (3-1) allowed three runs (four earned) on seven hits while walking none and striking out five over five innings in Monday's 12-1 loss to the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Coming into this start, Vargas was sporting a major league-best 0.44 ERA and had allowed just one run in his three starts. That was due to change, so Monday's outing wasn't a total surprise. His ERA jumped up to 1.40 after the loss, and his current 9.82 K/9 is also due for some regression -- he owns a career 6.00 K/9. The veteran southpaw has shown he can be useful as a matchup streamer, but don't expect his hot start to 2017 to become the norm.

Vargas (3-0) tossed seven scoreless innings Wednesday, scattering four hits and striking out nine in a 2-0 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

He out-dueled Madison Bumgarner in this one, throwing 61 of 92 pitches for strikes, and Vargas now has an uncanny 0.44 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 23:2 K:BB through 20.2 innings on the season. The strikeouts are particularly, well, striking, as his fastball remains mired in the mid-80s and his career high in K/9 over a full season is just 6.5. His 13.4 percent swinging strike rate and 73.9 percent contact rate within the strike zone are so far removed from his career norms that, absent a significant change in his arsenal to explain them, a major and painful correction seems inevitable. In other words, enjoy the ride while it lasts, but don't get too attached to the veteran lefty. Vargas will next take the mound Monday on the road against the White Sox.

Vargas (1-0) dealt six innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out six Astros in Friday's win.

EDGE Analysis

Friday's victory put the Royals in the win column for the first time this season while giving Vargas his first win since 2015. He displayed great fastball command throughout the 93-pitch outing, his largest pitch count in nearly two years. The left-hander looks full recovered the Tommy John surgery that cost him most of last season. Vargas is slated to take the hill for his next start Friday against the Angels.

Vargas gave up four runs -- two earned -- on three hits over two innings in his start against the Mariners on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Three errors were made behind him, which made a rough outing even worse. Vargas has allowed six earned runs in nine innings this spring, while giving up 12 hits and carrying a 7:6 K:BB (2.00 WHIP). He's positioned to begin the season in the Kansas City rotation, but the Royals are likely to be willing to change his role if he struggles, since Vargas is in the final year of the four-year pact he signed with the club in November of 2013.