Archer took Alex Cobb’s place as the Rays’ Opening Day starter after Cobb was placed on the 15-day disabled list. On June 2, Archer earned a 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by striking out 15 hitters.
Archer made his MLB All-Star debut in 2015, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing just one run on the mound. On August 20, he shut out the Houston Astros with a one-hit shutout, throwing just 98 pitches while striking out 11.
He finished the season with a 3.23 earned run average and second place in the league with 252 strikeouts in 212 innings (sixth).
For the first time in Rays history, he topped Scott Kazmir’s 2007 record of 239 strikeouts. Dallas Keuchel, David Price, Sonny Gray, and Chris Sale were the other four finalists for the American League Cy Young Award.
As a guest commentator for Baseball Tonight and ESPN Radio for the 2015 World Series, Archer also offered color commentary for ESPN’s coverage of the American League Wild Card Game.
Prior to the start of the season, many baseball writers and fans considered Archer a viable contender for the Cy Young Award.
As expected, Archer struggled in the first half of the year with a 4.66 earned run average (ERA). However, Archer responded strongly in the second half and finished the season with a 3.25 earned run average (ERA).
His 4.02 earned run average was tied for second in the American League with Justin Verlander’s 233 strikeouts, and he had a 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings ratio (8th).
Additionally, he had the most losses in the majors (19), which can be ascribed to his poor 3.48 run support and the 30 home runs he allowed.
After the season, Archer returned to ESPN and ESPN Radio as a guest commentator for the 2016 World Series.
What Nationality Is Chris Archer?
Chris Archer is an American. Sonya Clark, Archer’s biological mother, is white. Darryl Magnum, his biological father, is of African-American descent.