Everything came together for Chicago Cubs starting pitcherZach Davies in his one year with the Padres, as he posted career-bests in ERA (2.73), WHIP (1.07) and strikeout rate (22.8%). This was, however, one of the least believable breakouts in recent memory, as he benefited hugely from a low BABIP (.249) and high strand rate (78.2%). It is also notable that he achieved these great results without changing anything about himself. His pitch arsenal remained the same and he added no velocity or ...

The Chicago Cubs agreed to send right-hander Yu Darvish and his personal catcher Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres on Monday night in exchange for right-hander Zach Davies, shortstop Reginald Preciado (Padres No. 11 prospect), outfielder Owen Caissie (No. 13), outfielder Ismael Mena (No. 15) and shortstop Yeison Santana (No. 16). San Diego was hesitant to include Preciado, who is a toolsy 17-year-old switch-hitting shortstop. He has yet to play a professional game, though, and is at least ...

San Diego Padres starter Zach Davies accumulated his fifth consecutive win Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies, tossing six innings of three-run ball. Davies permitted two homers in the first and sixth frames to bookend his starts, but otherwise yielded just three other knocks and two walks while striking out eight. The 27-year-old righty has been a fantastic pickup for the Friars with a 2.48 ERA, 0.96 WHIP across 54 1/3 innings as hes bumped his strikeout rate from 17 to 23 percent. Staking...

San Diego Padres starter Zach Davies blanked the Oakland Athletics across seven frames Friday for his sixth victory. Davies was uncharacteristically wild, issuing four free passes, but minimized the damage with just four hits. He struck out five. The 27-year-old has been a surprising anchor in the Friars rotation, holding a crisp 2.23 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 through 48 1/3 innings (eight starts). Locked in as an SP4, Davies will try to stay rolling next Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies...

San Diego Padres starter Zach Davies tossed eight innings of two-run ball in an easy 13-2 victory Saturday against the Houston Astros. Davies labored through the first frame but settled in to fire a season-high 109 pitches, allotting four hits, two walks and striking out seven. The 27-year-old has been a rock in the Friars rotation, sporting a 3.03 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 in 35 2/3 innings. With a career best 23 percent strikeout rate, the veteran junkballer has exceeded expectations, even ...

San Diego Padres starter Zach Davies secured his third victory Monday in a 14-4 blowout against the Texas Rangers. Davies cruised the first time through the order but eventually scuffled to complete five-plus innings, surrendering three earned runs. He allowed three knocks and two walks while striking out six. Through five starts, the 27-year-old extends his excellent season, registering a 3.25 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 7.8 K/9. Though Davies expected stats point to negative regression, his strikeouts...

BALLER MOVE:Add in All LeaguesROSTERED IN: 25% of leaguesANALYSIS:Zach Davies is off to a phenomenal start to his first year with the San Diego Padres. Through four starts, Davies has posted a 2.78 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. He's struck out 18 batters over 22 2/3 innings compared to just three walks.Over his five-plus years in the majors, all spent with the Milwaukee Brewers before this year, Davies has been far from spectacular, but he's certainly held his own. Through 115 career starts, he has a 3.87 ...

San Diego Padres starter Zach Davies pitched well in a loss Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing two earned runs in seven frames. Davies was mostly excellent, but came undone in the fifth inning by yielding three consecutive baserunners and two subsequent runs. In total, he surrendered four hits and two walks while striking out five. The 27-year-old junkballer is off to a superb start with a 2.78 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 7.1 K/9 through four outings. His prevailing 21 percent strikeout...

San Diego Padres starter Zach Davies held the Arizona Diamondbacks scoreless through 5 2/3 frames Friday, collecting his second victory. Davies allowed three singles and no walks while cruising to six strikeouts. The excellent outing drops his ERA to 2.87 with a 0.83 WHIP and 7.5 K/9. The 27-year-olds career 17 percent strikeout rate diminishes his fantasy appeal, but Davies has earned streamer consideration through three starts. Hell draw the rival Los Angeles Dodgers at Chez Ravine next ...

San Diego Padres right-hander Zach Davies will be on the hill for Fridays contest against Arizona, essentially allowing the Padres to skip a spot in the rotation. Davies has provided solid production through his first two starts in 2020, both of which have lasted five innings on the road. Normally able to reduce the barrels of opposing hitters, he has yielded a whopping 16.1% barrel percentage to begin the year, which would more than double his previous career worst mark. With that said, ...