Rays: Chris Archer First Half Disappointment

By Robert McGeorge | Jul 14, 2016

Jun 28, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) reacts at the end of the inning against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Throughout the MLB season, players will impress and some will disappoint. Just how bad was Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer in the first half?

It has been a great first half of the MLB season. There have been many ups and downs for multiple teams and there players. Unfortunately, when there are players having great success on the field, there are also players struggling to put up quality numbers. This article will feature the most disappointing pitcher of the first half of the season, Tampa Bay Rays Chris Archer.

For the most disappointing pitcher of the first half, most would generally say Matt Harvey. Can not disagree with that. However, since it has been disclosed that he has to receive season ending surgery, I find it more fitting that Archer be the recipient of this award.

For a player who ranked just outside the top 10 in fantasy points for starting pitchers just a season ago, the heart and soul of the Rays has been a real disappointment this season. His control simply is not there on a consistent basis. Archer has never had this much of an issue locating his pitches. He has been one of the top pitchers in the MLB since he bursts on to the season back in 2012.

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The past three seasons Archer has been consistent and his ERA which has not been above 3.33. His ERA in the first half is an ugly 4.66. His strikeout rate is still there from a season ago, but it is his walks that are out of control.

He is only 18 walks away from reaching his total from all last season. He generally walks 2-3 batters per game. This season too has shown that he will give up three runs or more per game.

When players get on base, Archer tends to get flustered and allow them to score. Archer is not even ranked in the top 60 for starting pitchers. He has not been able to string together quality fantasy starts, either. It has certainly been frustrating for Archer and his fantasy owners this season.

It also does not help his case when the Rays can never score enough for him to win a game. Archer is just 4-12 this season. Luckily, the Rays will not be contenders this season, so perhaps Archer picked the right year to have a slump.

Archer will need to focus on the placement of his pitches in order to have success in the second half. The All-Star break changes the course of many players and many teams fortunes. Hopefully Archer will be able to return to the dominate form we have seen in recent years.

Next: Rich Hill: First Half Most Valuable Pitcher

Granted, Archer and the Tampa Bay Rays had lackluster first half of the season. Though, he has shown the skills to dominate. He can still help his team, as well as yours. In terms of keepers, I would hold on to Archer come seasons end. He is still very young and has tremendous potential as he have already shown. His team may not make the playoffs, but Archer can be key piece to your success.

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