by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (6/17/2013) Coming off his strongest start of the season, Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles has been one of the most added players in Fantasy leagues.
Lyles is just 22 years old, and was a highly touted Astros prospect prior to the 2011 season. Making his major-league debut at age 20, it was clear he was rushed. But this year, he finally seems to be figuring things out. Lyles' 3.48 ERA is out of line considering his past performances, but the advanced numbers show that his improvement is legitimate. Lyles' FIP is a solid 3.78 indicating that his numbers aren't a big fluke.
His strikeouts are up this year, mainly due to an improved curveball. Lyles' whiff rate with the pitch is up to 13.49 percent this year, according to BrooksBaseball.net. While that's not elite, it's the first time in his career the pitch has a double-digit whiff rate. Lyles pitches for the lowly Astros, so it will be tough to get wins, but he's a solid add, and should be owned in more than 32 percent of leagues.
Jordan Lyles strikes out career-high 10
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/13/2013) Astros starter Jordan Lyles struck out a career-high 10 batters over seven shutout innings but ended up with a no-decision Wednesday night in Seattle.
Lyles (3-1) allowed three hits, walked two and was lifted after 107 pitches, 67 for strikes. He lowered his ERA to 3.48.
Lyles has been Houston's most consistent starter since mid-May. He's 2-0 in his last six starts with seven runs allowed over 37 2/3 innings. Lyles' next start is Tuesday against the Brewers.
Jordan Lyles continues to pitch well
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (6/8/2013) Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles allowed fewer than three runs for the fifth start in a row Friday, but still earned a no-decision, in a 4-2 loss.
Lyles tossed seven strong innings in the game, holding the Royals to just two runs on six hits and a walk. He allowed both runs on a home run by Salvador Perez that put him down, 2-1. The Astros would fight back to get Lyles off the hook for the loss, but the bullpen ultimately faltered after he left the mound.
Lyles has a 4.03 ERA on the season, but allowed eight of his 20 earned runs in a single start during May.
He enters his next start with a 3-1 record. He will take on the Mariners in Seattle next Wednesday.
Jordan Lyles showing improvement
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (6/3/2013) Because he isn't a big strikeout pitcher, Jordan Lyles won't be confused with any of the starters that you would typically use in standard mixed leagues. Still, the Astro is showing that he has some value in deeper mixed and AL-only leagues, but he's largely underappreciated in those formats.
Over his last four starts, Lyles has a 1.90 ERA, and if that sounds like he's pitching over his head, well, he is. But he is getting his fair share of ground balls, pitching with decent command and for the first time in his major league career, he's stranding baserunners at a normal rate. The first two developments mirror his recent minor-league trends, and the third provides hope that a low strand rate won't be a chronic problem.
That may not be something to get excited about, but Lyles deserves to be owned in more than six percent of the leagues on CBSSports.com.
Jordan Lyles gets win No. 3
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (6/2/2013) Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles earned his third win in Sunday's 5-4 victory over the the Angels. Lyles (3-1) surrendered two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings.
Lyles has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts. He has a 1.90 ERA during that stretch. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at Kansas City. He has a 1.80 ERA on the road.
Jordan Lyles keeps getting better
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/28/2013) Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles improved for the third start in a row Tuesday against the Rockies, but Houston lost 2-1 in the ninth inning.
Lyles held the Rockies to a run on six hits and three walks in seven innings thanks to 11 goundball outs, including double plays that ended the fourth and sixth innings.
Lyles has allowed one earned run in each of his last three starts to lower his ERA from 8.36 to 4.50. He has 10 strikeouts and six walks in his last 18 innings, while allowing one home run.
His next start is set for Sunday against the Angels.
Jordan Lyles shuts down Royals
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Astros starter Jordan Lyles allowed one run on six hits and a walk over six innings and 96 pitches of a 3-1 win at home Wednesday against the Royals. He struck out three and the bullpen actually did its job.
Lyles (2-1) has had back-to-back solid outings to lower his ERA to 5.40. He's allowed two runs over his last two starts spanning 11 innings with seven Ks. His next start is Tuesday against Colorado.
Jordan Lyles allows one earned run vs. Pirates
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/17/2013) Astros starter Jordan Lyles turned in a decent performance but settled for a no-decision Friday night against the Pirates.
Lyles, who made his fourth start of the season, surrendered a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen in the opening frame. He was charged with two runs -- one earned -- and four hits over five innings of work. He struck out four and walked two in a 5-4 defeat.
Lyles has allowed three runs or less in three of his first four starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against Kansas City.
Astros flip-flop rotation order
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) The Astros have tweaked their upcoming rotation slightly as they have flip-flopped Jordan Lyles and Erik Bedard, MLB.com reports.
Bedard, originally expected to start Friday, will start Saturday in Pittsburgh. Lyles was expected to go Saturday originally but will move up to pitch Friday.
Jordan Lyles rocked by Rangers
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Astros starter Jordan Lyles had his worst start of the season as he failed to make it past the fourth inning Sunday afternoon against the Rangers.
Lyles, who made his third start of the season, surrendered four runs in the third, including a two-run home run to David Murphy. He also gave up three in the fourth and was charged with eight runs and 11 hits over four innings in his first loss of the season. He walked three and struck out one in 97 pitches, 55 for strikes.
Lyles has allowed 13 runs in 14 innings through his three starts. His next start is Saturday at Pittsburgh.
Jordan Lyles holding his own
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles flopped in his first two seasons in the majors, to the point that he did not even earn a spot in the rotation despite making 25 starts a year ago. In two starts since being recalled, however, he has looked more major-league ready this time around, racking up big strikeout numbers in his first two starts.
Lyles has 12 strikeouts and just three walks in his first 10 innings of work after posting just 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings last year and 6.41 in 2011. The key for Lyles will be whether he can sustain this strikeout rate, as his minor-league numbers have not hinted at dominant swing-and-miss potential in the past few years.
When Lyles established himself as a prospect worth watching, he put together consecutive seasons of at least 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He has been below 7.0 in each full season since, in both the majors and minors. It is a good sign that he has induced a swinging strike on 14.1 percent of his pitches so far, compared to just 6.9 percent a year ago.
Lyles is worth a look in AL-only Fantasy formats at this time, but he will need to keep generating plenty of whiffs to be someone who should draw interest in mixed-league formats.
Jordan Lyles a winner for Houston
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Making only his second start after replacing Brad Peacock in the rotation, Astros starter Jordan Lyles earned his first win Tuesday at home versus the Angels.
Lyles struck out six batters and gave up just three earned runs over five innings on four hits and two walks to move to 1-0. He threw 82 pitches and gave up all three runs on Mark Trumbo's first-inning three-run homer.
Lyles, 22, has given up five runs over his first 10 innings spanning two starts but has 12 Ks over that stretch. He's pitching well and will make his next starting appearance Sunday against Texas.
Jordan Lyles strikes out six
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Making his first start of the regular season for the Astros, starting pitcher Jordan Lyles held the Tigers to two earned runs on six hits and a walk in five innings while striking out six. However, his bullpen let him down, leaving him with a no-decision.
It was quite the promising showing for a pitcher who posted a 17.74 ERA and surrendered 36 hits in 11 2/3 innings this spring. Lyles will face the Angels at home next week.
Jordan Lyles to start Thursday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Astros manager Bo Porter has tabbed pitcher Jordan Lyles to start Thursday's game against the Tigers, according to the Houston Chronicle. Lyles will be replacing Brad Peacock, who was moved to the bullpen.
Lyles is 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season. He has posted a 5.20 ERA in 235 1/3 innings over 40 starts and five relief appearances with the Astros over the last two seasons.
Astros bringing up pitching help
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) It appears the Houston Astros are preparing to recall pitchers Jordan Lyles and Dallas Keuchel from Triple-A Oklahoma City, MLB.com reports by way of a baseball source.
Although general manager Jeff Luhnow was not available for comment, it seems one of those pitchers could take Brad Peacock's vacated spot in the rotation Thursday against the Tigers. The corresponding roster moves were not announced.
The 22-year-old Lyles was strong in his latest start at Triple-A and was slated to begin the year in the rotation before he struggled in the spring.
The 25-year-old Keuchel was recalled April 6 and had a 3.38 ERA over 10 2/3 innings in relief before being sent back down.
Astros have starting decisions to make
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/29/2013) The Astros have made a change to their starting rotation. Manager Bo Porter has removed Brad Peacock and sent him to the bullpen. The team hasn't decided who will replace him Thursday against Detroit, though CBS Sports Baseball Insider Danny Knobler has some thoughts on the matter.
Houston's best possibility to replace Peacock comes in Jordan Lyles, who would be on normal rest for Thursday if called up. He is 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA over six games and five starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Jarred Cosart is another option. He has better numbers than Lyles. He is 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA over five appearances and four starts with the RedHawks, including 23 Ks over 22 innings.
The last options could come from the bullpen in long men Paul Clemens or Jose Cisnero. Through 25 games, the Astros' starters have the highest ERA in the majors at 6.34 and have pitched the fewest number of innings per start at 4.6.
Jordan Lyles doesn't make rotation
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) Astros manager Bo Porter announced Wednesday that starting pitcher Jordan Lyles was optioned to minor-league camp, taking him out of the competition for the starting rotation following a disastrous spring.
"I told (Lyles) it's not a demotion, it's a delay," Porter told the Houston Chronicle.
Lyles was 0-3 with a 17.74 ERA and 3.17 WHIP in five spring outings (four starts). He allowed 24 runs (23 earned runs) and 36 hits in 11 2/3 innings.
Porter also announced pitcher Bud Norris will start opening day (March 31) against the Rangers. He will be followed by Lucas Harrell and Philip Humber in the three-game series.
The competition for the final two spots in the rotation is down to Erik Bedard, Brad Peacock and Alex White, with John Ely also being optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday.
Jordan Lyles focusing on April
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/19/2013) Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles surrendered six runs and 10 hits over 3 2/3 innings during Houston's 10-6 loss to Toronto in a Grapefruit League matchup Tuesday. He did not walk a batter for the third consecutive start and finished with three strikeouts during his longest outing of the spring. But it represented the latest poor outing for the young right-hander, who has allowed 36 hits and 23 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings this spring.
"My stat lines this spring haven’t been good in any way, but at the end of the day you can’t look at that," Lyles told MLB.com. "Personally, I would like to be better, but I’m working on things and I’m going to try to be ready for April and not this month. I’m looking forward to the season. This is the best I felt in spring training and the numbers aren’t there for me right now. I’m not overly worried about that."
Lyles encouraged by 'progress'
(3/13/2013) Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles endured another rough outing in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He allowed three runs on six hits over three innings of work. The right-hander also struck out two with no walks. Despite his 19.13 ERA through four spring appearances, Lyles told MLB.com that he is on the right track. "I felt a lot better," Lyles said. "We implemented a couple things on the side this week, and we tried that. I felt like I got better in that sense today, working on something new. The runs were still there, but I'll take what I got off the mound and the progress we made today."
Lyles 'definitely not concerned'
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/8/2013) Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles continued his rocky spring Friday against the Braves, allowing six runs on seven hits in only two-thirds of an inning. He has allowed 14 earned runs in five innings this spring. "Definitely not concerned, but I don't think anybody's happy with giving up runs after runs," the 22-year-old right-hander said. "It's part of the game, but I think next time I'll start mixing in my cutter and slider. I think the results will be different when I start mixing in all those pitches and start going for outs more than quality strikes." Manager Bo Porter agreed. "There are some things that we would want to address. The ball looks elevated a little bit," Porter said. "But we're not worried about it. We're going to continue to work, he's going to continue to get the ball. There's still a lot of time left in spring training, and we feel confident he'll be ready to go when the season starts. We expect him to be part of our rotation."
Lyles better this time out
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/3/2013) Houston rotation candidate Jordan Lyles took over for the Astros in the fourth inning of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. Lyles gave up some runs over 2 1/3 innings as he was pulled in his third frame. He gave up three runs -- two earned -- on three hits and a walk over his time on the mound. Lyles struck out two and his ERA on the spring is now at 16.62. Lyles allowed six runs and 10 hits over two innings in his spring debut.
Lyles not worried about results
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/26/2013) Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles was charged with six runs and 10 hits in two innings during a sluggish Grapefruit League debut against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Lyles faced a whopping 14 batters during the outing and allowed the Rays to plate five runs in the second inning. He was able to stay within the strike zone (one strikeout and no walks), but left several pitches over the plate and allowing eight singles. "I’m not going to get too worried about the results right now," Lyles said. "I’m just focused on throwing the ball over the plate, throwing quantity strikes. I just tried to split the plate in half."
Lyles has spot to lose
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/12/2013) The Houston Chronicle reports Astros manager Bo Porter said Tuesday starting pitcher Jordan Lyles is likely to make the rotation, but he will have to compete this spring to keep his spot. Porter emphasized he wasn't saying Lyles won't make the rotation, but he believes in competition. Porter said Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell are the only two locks for the rotation.
