For the first time in his Major League career, Chase Burns will toe the rubber at San Francisco’s Oracle Park on Monday night in the Reds’ series opener against the Giants.
The right-hander is coming off his second consecutive eight-strikeout performance Wednesday, when he limited the Cardinals to a pair of runs across five frames. The outing marked his 19th start of the year in which he’s allowed two runs or fewer, tied for the most such starts in the Majors. By virtue of his consistency, he became the first Reds hurler since 1900 to yield two runs or fewer 19 times in his first 24 outings of a season.
Back on April 16 at Great American Ball Park, Burns flummoxed the Giants bats to the tune of six scoreless frames with just two hits allowed. He found success despite throwing a first-pitch strike to just seven of 18 batters and running only a 19.6 whiff rate, while a pair of key double plays helped him face the minimum.
But the Giants’ starting nine has taken on a new look since then. Gone from that day’s lineup are Luis Arraez and Patrick Bailey (traded), as well as Matt Chapman (injured) and Will Brennan (Minors). To boot, Burns is facing them at the right time -- entering play Sunday, San Francisco ranked last in the National League in OPS in August.
Burns has been exemplary nearly every turn through the rotation this year, but his latest outing will come on four days’ rest, a scenario in which he’s been particularly stingy during 2026. He’s running an 0.98 WHIP with a 2.49 ERA in eight starts this season and will look to continue a strong run of quality starts from Reds starters, who are one of four clubs with at least 20 such outings dating back to July 1.
As is often the case when he takes the hill, Burns will likely rely heavily upon his slider. It has the third-highest run value of any slide piece across the Majors (trailing only Dylan Cease and Jacob deGrom) this season and is generating a 51.8 percent whiff rate, second-best in the big leagues behind only Padres closer Mason Miller. Batters have hit just .144 against the bender.
In addition to being selected to the National League All-Star team last month in Philadelphia, Burns has been enjoying a historic year in 2026, and he has at least six or seven more starts coming his way if he can stay healthy down the stretch. With 14 wins, a 2.51 ERA and 159 strikeouts during his age-23 season, he joins a vaunted group of hurlers to achieve those marks (or better) at the same age:
- Clayton Kershaw (2011): 21 W, 2.28 ERA, 248 K
- Félix Hernández (2009): 19 W, 2.49 ERA, 217 K
- Jake Peavy (2004): 15 W, 2.27 ERA, 173 K
- Mark Prior (2003): 18 W, 2.43 ERA, 245 K
- Roger Clemens (1986): 24 W, 2.48 ERA, 238 K
- Dwight Gooden (1985): 24 W, 1.53 ERA, 268 K
Three of those hurlers (Kershaw, Clemens, Gooden) won a Cy Young Award that season and two others finished in the top three of voting.