Alexander allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Alexander wasn't dominant Wednesday, and all three runs he allowed scored on a pair of Yankees homers. Nonetheless, he kept Houston within arm's length, which proved critical when the Astros mounted a comeback over the sixth through eighth frames. Alexander has now given up three or fewer runs in seven straight outings, posting a 2.79 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 38:10 K:BB across 38.2 innings during that span. That's earned him a spot in the rotation for now, while Lance McCullers has been moved to the bullpen.

Springs (10-10) took the loss against St. Louis on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.

Springs pitched well Wednesday, giving up just a single run in each of the third and seventh innings, However, the Athletics' offense wasn't able to put its only run on the board until the eighth frame. Despite the defeat, Springs managed his first quality start since Aug. 6 and notched a healthy 10 whiffs. He's slated for a home matchup against Boston his next time out.

Bergert didn't factor into the decision against the Angels on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out six over five innings.

The right-hander was in control for most of the outing, allowing just three baserunners through five frames before exiting after issuing a walk to Zach Neto to lead off the sixth. That runner later came around to score on a Jo Adell homer, leaving Bergert with his lone earned run. Since joining the Royals, Bergert has been remarkably steady, not allowing more than two runs in any of his starts while completing at least five innings in each. Over that stretch, the 25-year-old has posted a 2.43 ERA with a 31:11 K:BB through 33.1 innings, and his next turn against Cleveland presents another favorable matchup given the Guardians' offensive struggles.

Gomez didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Minnesota, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.

Gomez has done some quality work since joining Chicago's rotation, as Wednesday's showing was his third start where he's surrendered one run or no runs. The 25-year-old right-hander tossed a season-high 94 pitches in what was his fifth start of the year, so he's certainly built up to handle a traditional starter's workload to wrap up the campaign. Gomez has a 3.42 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB over 23.2 innings as a starter for the White Sox, and he's next scheduled to take the mound at home against the Rays.

Matthews didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing one run on three hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Matthews has now logged a quality start in consecutive outings for the first time all year. The three hits allowed fell one shy of matching his season low, and the 25-year-old right-hander tallied an impressive 14 swinging strikes on the evening. Matthews still has work to do in order to improve his 4.73 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, though he does have 75 punchouts over 64.2 innings. His strong 26.6 percent strikeout rate could help give him an edge for his next scheduled matchup against the Angels, who have the most strikeouts (1,365) in MLB as a team.

Kirby (8-7) was handed the loss against the Rays on Wednesday, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits with one strikeout across two innings.

Kirby endured the roughest outing of his career, failing to work into the third frame for the first time in his 108 MLB starts. The appearance went down as the shortest of his four-year tenure and matched the second-highest run total he's ever allowed in a game. Kirby was peppered for 10 hits by the 17 batters he faced, consisting of eight singles and two doubles. It was an uncharacteristic barrage of hard contact for the typically steady starter, who will try to put this outing behind him as he heads into his next scheduled turn against St. Louis. Kirby has a 4.47 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 104:26 K:BB across 104.2 innings this season.

Houser (8-4) earned the win over the Mariners on Wednesday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven innings.

Houser cruised through the first five frames and allowed just one baserunner, but things fell apart in the sixth inning, when he surrendered all four of his runs. Despite the stumble, Houser still logged a season-high eight strikeouts and was good enough to take home the win. Since being acquired by the Rays, however, he's allowed four or more runs in four of six starts, posting a 4.91 ERA and 27:10 K:BB across 33 innings during that stretch. The 32-year-old will look to replicate the strong early innings from Wednesday's outing in his next scheduled start against his former team, the White Sox.

Leiter (9-8) took the loss Wednesday as the Rangers were downed 2-0 by the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The 25-year-old right-hander delivered his third straight quality start, and eighth of the season, on 99 pitches (64 strikes), but Leiter got no run support from the Texas offense. In nine outings since the All-Star break, Leiter has posted a 2.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 57:24 K:BB over 47.1 innings as he establishes himself as a key part of the team's rotation plans for the present and future. Leiter is scheduled to make his next start at home early next week against the Brewers.

Mize (13-5) picked up the win over the Mets on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits over five innings in a 6-2 victory. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander was lifted after only 69 pitches (48 strikes), his lowest workload since Aug. 4 -- denying Mize a shot at his eighth quality start of the season. The Tigers' caution is understandable considering he stumbled to a 5.81 ERA across five starts in August, but his spot in the rotation for September is secure, and the team may be attempting to build in some rest for him ahead of the playoffs. Mize lines up to make his next start on the road next week against the Yankees.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Wednesday that Lugo's next start will be delayed due to lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lugo reported tightness in his back Monday, so the Royals will give him a few extra days to recover before sending him back to the mound. The 35-year-old was initially lined up to start Thursday's series finale against the Angels, but that game will now instead belong to Noah Cameron. No official starter has been named for Saturday's contest against the Twins, however, so Kansas City may look to get Lugo on the bump then if his back cooperates.