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Matthew Liberatore SP | STL
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Takes loss Saturday
Liberatore (3-4) allowed an unearned run on two hits and struck out two over one inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Giants. He did not issue a walk.
Liberatore gave up the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and the Cardinals weren't able to make a comeback. Over his last 13 innings, Liberatore has allowed nine runs (eight earned) with a 10:4 K:BB. He's filled a number of roles this year with mediocre results, pitching to a 4.40 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 76:28 K:BB across 86 innings spanning 60 outings (six starts).
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Ryan Walker RP | SF
Giants' Ryan Walker: Nabs 10th win
Walker (10-4) allowed a hit and a walk over a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Cardinals.
Walker kept the game tied in the eighth inning before the Giants took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Walker is one of two relievers in the majors -- the other being Houston's Hector Neris -- to earn 10 wins this season. Over 80 innings, Walker has added a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 99:18 K:BB, 10 saves and 22 holds while emerging as one the Giants' best relievers.
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Spencer Bivens RP | SF
Giants' Spencer Bivens: Grabs first save
Bivens allowed a hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Cardinals.
Bivens has mostly been used in long-relief spots this year, but he was called on for a save chance after Ryan Walker pitched in a high-leverage spot in the eighth inning. Bivens was up to the task, earning his first major-league save, though he's not unfamiliar with the closing role after earning eight saves with Triple-A Sacramento in 2024. In the majors, Bivens has a 3.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB across 48.2 innings over 27 appearances (two starts).
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Sam Long RP | KC
Royals' Sam Long: Handed loss Saturday
Long (3-3) allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings to take the loss versus Atlanta on Saturday.
Long gave up a walk-off solo home run to Travis d'Arnaud in the ninth inning. September has been a little rough for Long -- he's allowed seven runs over 11.1 innings, though he has an 11:3 K:BB in that span. The southpaw reliever has a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 42.2 innings, making him a decent option for a spot in the Royals' postseason bullpen.
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Raisel Iglesias RP | ATL
Braves' Raisel Iglesias: Picks up win Saturday
Iglesias (6-2) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the win over the Royals on Saturday.
Iglesias kept the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the ninth inning, and Travis d'Arnaud walked it off for Atlanta with a solo home run in the bottom of the frame. Iglesias has allowed six runs (five earned) over 14 innings this month, but five of them came in one appearance versus the Dodgers on Sept. 15. The closer has a 1.72 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 68:13 K:BB across 68 innings this season while converting 33 of 36 save chances. Iglesias has thrown a modest 16 pitches over the last two days, so he could still be available for a potential save opportunity Sunday.
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Nick Sandlin RP | DET
Guardians' Nick Sandlin: Working as opener Sunday
Sandlin will serve as the Guardians' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Astros, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Sandlin will make his second start of the regular season Sunday, with Gavin Williams expected to serve in bulk relief. Sandlin's first start came Aug. 26 against the Royals, when he allowed two walks while striking out two batters in one scoreless inning. Sandlin has a 3.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 68:27 K:BB across 57.2 innings this season.
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Walter Pennington RP | BAL
Rangers' Walter Pennington: Recalled by Texas
Texas recalled Pennington from the Arizona Complex League Rangers on Saturday.
Pennington takes the spot in the Rangers' bullpen vacated by right-hander Josh Sborz, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right shoulder fatigue. Pennington made his last appearance Sept. 21 against the Mariners, during which he allowed three runs on two hits while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning. Across 15 major-league outings with the Rangers this season (including one start), Pennington has a 3.12 ERA and 1.73 WHIP across 17.1 innings.
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Xzavion Curry RP | NYM
Marlins' Xzavion Curry: Goes five innings in win
Curry (2-2) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout over five innings.
Curry drew his first start since July 23 and rebounded from a solo homer in the first inning with four scoreless frames. The 26-year-old generated just two whiffs on 65 pitches but fired 42 strikes and limited hard contact. He'll finish the season with a 4.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 28:7 K:BB across 42.2 innings with the Guardians and Marlins.
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Josh Sborz RP | TEX
Rangers' Josh Sborz: Lands on IL with shoulder fatigue
The Rangers placed Sborz on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right shoulder fatigue.
This marks the fourth time this season that Sborz has been placed on the IL due to a right shoulder injury. His prior stint started in mid-August, and he was able to return to the big club Tuesday, but his 2024 season will end with just 17 appearances out of the bullpen for the Rangers. Sborz ends the year with a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 17:4 K:BB and eight holds over 16.1 innings of work.
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Tristan Beck RP | SF
Giants' Tristan Beck: Solid in first start of season
Beck took the no-decision Saturday against the Cardinals, as he allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings.
Beck got his first start in place of Blake Snell, Beck's first since September 2023, and he looked impressive in the opportunity. It was Beck's longest outing of the season, and he finishes the season on a positive note. Beck made his season debut in September after missing the majority of the season with an aneurysm in his upper right arm that required surgery. The 28-year-old allowed just three runs in 16 innings this season.