Tyler

Alexander

Alexander, last seen six days ago giving up eight runs in a start against the Tigers, struck out five in three scoreless frames against an A’s team that barely showed up today. He has a 3.66 ERA in three starts and three relief appearances this season.

Yes, there were some defensive gaffes made in this game, but one of them was made by Alexander, so he can’t yell at his teammates when they’re playing video games later Monday night. The 30-year-old has not pitched well in his last two outings, and there’s very little reason to trust Alexander as a fantasy option. He’s scheduled to face the Athletics over the weekend. You can do better.

Alexander gave up six hits, including a solo homer to Ryan McMahon, and didn’t stick around long enough to collect a win, despite getting double-digit run support. He struck out three and issued a pair of walks. He’s in line to square off against the Tigers on Tuesday his next time out. He won’t work deep into starts, but he’s done a nice job helping stabilize the back-end of Milwaukee’s starting rotation.

Called on for the spot start without many expectations, Alexander was fantastic in this one. He attacked the Reds’ hitters with repeated cutters and fastballs up in the zone and had pinpoint command with each pitch. Together they forced four pop-ups and a handful of lazy fly balls. The kicker is — his stuff looked good. His fastball had legitimate life, his cutter was lethal, and his changeup had plus run. He also threw 83 pitches, which was far more than expected after throwing 47 in relief last weekend. The Brewers are starved for pitching depth and Alexander would become mildly interesting in deep leagues should he stick in the rotation. Him lasting for 83 pitches is also a good sign that he’ll be trusted to start again.

McCalvy notes that Alexander threw a bullpen Wednesday. The Brewers have dealt with injuries to their starting rotation — and poor results — so they’ll give Alexander a shot; although likely one that doesn’t see him go deep into the game. Fantasy managers can find a better streamer if they need one.

Alexander provides Milwaukee with a versatile left-handed swingman in the wake of talented southpaw DL Hall suffering a lat injury at the outset of spring training. The 30-year-old was non-tendered back in November by Tampa Bay after posting a serviceable 5.10 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 90/24 K/BB ratio across 107 2/3 innings (23 appearances, nine starts) last year for the Rays. He’ll most likely operate in long relief for the Brewers.

The 30-year-old southpaw had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn a raise to $2.8 million via arbitration and apparently that was too rich for their blood. Alexander registered a 5.10 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 90/24 K/BB ratio over 107 2/3 innings with the Rays in 2024. Most teams in the league could use a capable left-handed innings-eater, so don’t be surprised to see Alexander back in another big-league bullpen for the start of the 2025 season.

Alexander ended the year on a hot run, as he didn’t allow a run in his 9 1/3 innings against the Dodgers and Tigers. The former Detroit hurler scattered four hits, and he didn’t walk anyone. Even with the scoreless frames Alexander still has a 5.10 ERA, and he’s a potential non-tender candidate heading into 2025. If he is back with the Rays, he’ll begin the year as a multi-inning bullpen arm.

Alexander crossed the 60-pitch threshold for the first time in four starts in this one, but still couldn’t hang on long enough to qualify for a win. He was very efficient though, allowing just three base runners and three hard-hit balls as the Blue Jays couldn’t quite square up his cutter, sweeper, or sinker. He’s scheduled to face the Tigers in Detroit next time out.

Alexander was strong in his first two innings of relief of Drew Rasmussen — who fired two scoreless as the opener — but then gave up an RBI double to Brayan Rocchio in the fifth and three more runs in the sixth. Alexander walked two in the contest with just one strikeout. He will remain off the fantasy radar even with a chance to get a win next time out; likely against the Blue Jays over the weekend.