Steven Matz

Active

Tampa Bay Rays · RP/SP

Age 356' 2" · 205 lbsThrows Left

#550 Current

FBaseball Overview

At 35 years old, Matz brings veteran stability to Tampa Bay's rotation but faces declining peripherals that fantasy managers should monitor closely. His 2026 season has gotten off to a concerning start with a 6.28 ERA and 1.40 WHIP through early appearances, representing a significant step backward from his solid 3.05 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 2025. While he still offers strikeout potential with 41 K through his limited 2026 outings, the elevated ERA and WHIP make him a risky fantasy investment who is better suited as a streaming option than a reliable rotation anchor. His lack of save opportunities and modest win total suggest he carries minimal upside in most league formats unless his command and results improve dramatically.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2015	New York Mets	6	6	4	0	0	2.27	1.23	34	35.2	10
2016	New York Mets	22	22	9	8	0	3.40	1.21	129	132.1	31
2017	New York Mets	13	13	2	7	0	6.08	1.53	48	66.2	19
2018	New York Mets	30	30	5	11	0	3.97	1.25	152	154.0	58
2019	New York Mets	32	30	11	10	0	4.21	1.34	153	160.1	52
2020	New York Mets	9	6	0	5	0	9.68	1.70	36	30.2	10
2021	Toronto Blue Jays	29	29	14	7	0	3.82	1.33	144	150.2	43
2022	St. Louis Cardinals	15	10	5	3	0	5.25	1.25	54	48.0	10
2023	St. Louis Cardinals	25	17	4	7	0	3.86	1.33	98	105.0	32
2024	St. Louis Cardinals	12	7	1	2	0	5.08	1.44	33	44.1	15
2025	2 teams▼	53	2	5	2	2	3.05	1.10	59	76.2	11
2026	Tampa Bay Rays	36	11	6	6	1	5.49	1.23	61	80.1	25
Career	Totals	282	183	66	68	3	4.29	1.30	1001	1084.2	316

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2012	Kingsport Mets	6	6	2	1	1.55	1.14	34	29.0	17
2013	Savannah Sand Gnats	21	21	5	6	2.62	1.17	121	106.1	38
2014	2 teams▼	24	24	10	9	2.24	1.19	131	140.2	35
2015	3 teams▼	19	18	8	4	2.05	1.06	107	105.1	34
2017	2 teams▼	4	4	0	1	6.06	1.16	20	16.1	4
2022	2 teams▼	8	6	0	0	2.65	1.12	22	17	7
2024	2 teams▼	9	9	0	2	3.25	1.19	27	27.2	6
2026	Durham Bulls	5	1	0	0	4.50	2.00	5	6.0	2
Career	Totals	96	89	25	23	2.49	1.16	467	448.1	143

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
7	0	8.1	1-1	0	2.16	0.84	8	2

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
30	5	49.0	2-5	1	6.24	1.31	34	14

Game Log2026 MLB

Loading game log…

Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo93.6 mph

Avg Spin2256 rpm

Whiff %20.8%

K %17.8%

BB %7.3%

Hard Hit %35.4%

Barrel %10.6%

xERA5.05

xBA Against0.274

xSLG Against0.458

BA Against0.238

SLG Against0.444

GB%39.0%

FB%25.6%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2015

New York Mets

2.27

1.23

35.2

2016

New York Mets

3.40

1.21

129

132.1

2017

New York Mets

6.08

1.53

66.2

2018

New York Mets

3.97

1.25

152

154.0

2019

New York Mets

4.21

1.34

153

160.1

2020

New York Mets

9.68

1.70

30.2

2021

Toronto Blue Jays

3.82

1.33

144

150.2

2022

St. Louis Cardinals

5.25

1.25

48.0

2023

St. Louis Cardinals

3.86

1.33

105.0

2024

St. Louis Cardinals

5.08

1.44

44.1

2025

2 teams▼

3.05

1.10

76.2

2026

Tampa Bay Rays

5.49

1.23

80.1

Career

Totals

282

183

4.29

1.30

1001

1084.2

316

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2012

Kingsport Mets

1.55

1.14

29.0

2013

Savannah Sand Gnats

2.62

1.17

121

106.1

2014

2 teams▼

2.24

1.19

131

140.2

2015

3 teams▼

2.05

1.06

107

105.1

2017

2 teams▼

6.06

1.16

16.1

2022

2 teams▼

2.65

1.12

2024

2 teams▼

3.25

1.19

27.2

2026

Durham Bulls

4.50

2.00

6.0

Career

Totals

2.49

1.16

467

448.1

143

W-L

ERA

WHIP

8.1

1-1

2.16

0.84

W-L

ERA

WHIP

49.0

2-5

6.24

1.31