Blach (2-2) held the Cubs to three runs on eight hits over seven innings in a 6-4 win Monday. He walked none and struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Blach was in control all night, painting the corners of the strike zone (72 of 99 pitches for strikes) while inducing weak contact. It was even more impressive when you consider the strength of the opponent combined with howling winds that blew directly out to center field, giving the hitters a huge advantage Monday. Just when it appeared that the young southpaw had fallen off the map when he was shelled for eight runs on May 6, Blach turns around and fires three consecutive quality starts, putting himself back into the fantasy picture. It is worth noting, however, that even with his recent hot stretch, the 26-year-old still sports an unsavory 3.0 K/9 on the season, likely limiting his value to deep and NL-only formats. A favorable matchup against the Braves is on deck Saturday, making Blach a target as a potential streamer.

Blach (1-2) picked up his first victory of the season Tuesday, limiting the Dodgers to just one run over seven innings. He walked two and struck out four in a 2-1 win.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old continued his dominance over the Giants' division rivals, lowering his career ERA against the Dodgers to 1.17 through four starts. Blach exhibited pinpoint control Tuesday, avoiding the middle of the strike zone for the majority of the night. His lone mistake was an elevated fastball that Chris Taylor took over the wall in center. The rookie isn't a tantalizing fantasy option due to his lack of strikeout stuff, but he could be a useful streamer in the right matchups as evidenced by his three quality starts in his last four outings.

Blach returned to form Thursday, holding the Reds to two runs on five hits over seven innings, walking one and striking out two in a 3-2 loss.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old was hammered by these very same Reds in his last start, but a return to the pitcher-friendly confines of AT&T Park proved to be the solution to his woes against Cincinnati. Blach had been effective as a starter outside of his one rough outing, but a lackluster strikeout rate (2.3 K/9) keeps the southpaw's ceiling relatively low and limits his usefulness to very deep and NL-only formats. That said, his next start comes at home against the Dodgers, who he has held to a .159 batting average with no extra-base hits in two career starts, so there is some streaming potential there.

Blach (0-2) allowed 10 runs -- eight earned -- on 11 hits and a walk over just three innings during Saturday's loss to Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old lefty had pitched well at home against the Dodgers and Padres during his first two starts of the season, but Great American Ball Park and the Cincinnati offense overpowered him Saturday. There is no way to sugarcoat the outing, as Blach allowed six extra-base hits in just three innings. Considering he posted an underwhelming 3.95 ERA over 53 starts with Triple-A Sacramento, it was likely only a matter of time before he was roughed up at the highest level. His next rotation turn aligns with a home game against the Reds, so that will be a telling outing if Blach makes the start.

Blach allowed three hits while walking two and striking out one over seven scoreless innings for a no-decision in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

While filling in for Madison Bumgarner (ribs, shoulder) in the rotation, Blach has filled in admirably, allowing just two runs in 12 innings in his two starts so far. He's not striking out many (five in 17.2 innings), though, so don't rely on him for anything more than a streaming option in NL-only leagues.

Blach (0-1) was a tough-luck loser Tuesday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk through five innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Blach allowed two runs to score after three consecutive batters reached to start the fourth inning, but he didn't even allow a man past first base in any of his other frames. The lefty was called upon to make his first start of the season after Madison Bumgarner (ribs, shoulder) was lost for an extended period of time, and he acquitted himself nicely against the divisional foe. Blach should remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future after this appearance and will draw an extremely inviting home matchup with the Padres on Sunday.

Blach will replace Madison Bumgarner (ribs, shoulder) in the Giants' rotation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitching coach Dave Righetti confirmed that Blach will get the first shot at replacing Bumgarner, who was injured in a recent dirt bike accident. Blach will be available out of the bullpen in an emergency Friday night, but he is expected to slot into the rotation Tuesday against the Dodgers. The lefty has three walks to just one strikeout in 4.2 innings so far this season.

Blach is an option to jump into the Giants' rotation in place of the injured Madison Bumgarner (shoulder), Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blach has worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Giants this year, but the team has reportedly kept him stretched out in case they needed an extra starter, and they will indeed need one at this point with Bumgarner sidelined. The Giants figure to officially announce Bumgarner's replacement at some point in the near future, but if Blach is ultimately called upon to fill the spot, his first start would come against a Dodgers team that managed just three hits over 11 innings against him in 2016.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he wants to keep Blach ready for a start, Andrew Baggarly of Bay Area News Group reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blach made the Giants as a reliever out of spring training, though his impressive track record has kept him on Bochy's radar in the event that San Francisco would need an extra starter. He'll stick in the bullpen for now -- where he's allowed three runs through two innings this season -- but he could eventually be called upon for a spot start if the opportunity arises.

Blach has made San Francisco's Opening Day roster and will be used as a reliever to open the season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blach was given some starting opportunities in camp, but wasn't quite able to do enough to oust any of San Francisco's veteran starters from the rotation. Expect Blach to work in the bullpen, but given his Triple-A success as a starter last year (3.43 ERA, 1.14 WHIP over 162.2 innings), he could very well be the first option for a spot start should a Giants starter fall to injury.