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Paul Blackburn RP | NYY
Athletics' Paul Blackburn: Turns in quality start
Blackburn (2-2) allowed two runs on nine hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Saturday over the Rockies.
Blackburn matched his season high in giving up nine hits, but he was able to escape Colorado relatively unscathed. This was his second quality start of the season, and it was also the second time he's completed six frames. The right-hander trimmed his ERA to 4.83 with a 1.57 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB through 54 innings over 11 games (10 starts). He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Giants next weekend.
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Tyler Wells RP | TB
Orioles' Tyler Wells: Chased after 2.2 frames
Wells (7-6) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over 2.2 innings in an 8-3 loss to the Yankees. He struck out one.
Wells was pulled after throwing 63 pitches Saturday and failed to make it through the third inning. The outing added to an already concerning trend for Wells, who covered just 6.1 frames in his previous two appearances. Despite the short start, Wells issued three walks, marking his fifth straight outing allowing multiple walks. Though Wells has faced some of baseball's best offenses over his last three starts in the Dodgers, Rays and Yankees, fantasy managers should be cautious with Wells moving forward, especially considering he's projected to face the Blue Jays next time out.
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Clarke Schmidt SP | NYY
Yankees' Clarke Schmidt: Snares another win
Schmidt (7-6) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against Baltimore. He struck out two.
Schmidt added another tally to the win column Saturday, marking his fifth victory in his last six appearances and extending his streak without a loss to nine starts. Though the right-hander hasn't had an outstanding season, he's been a rock-solid arm in the back end of the Yankees rotation, having allowed three or fewer runs in every start dating back to May 14. During that stretch (64.2 innings), Schmidt owns a 3.20 ERA with a 51:15 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled for a home matchup against the Astros for his next start.
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Taj Bradley SP | MIN
Rays' Taj Bradley: Roughed up by Astros
Bradley (5-7) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks over 3.1 innings in a 17-4 loss to the Astros. He struck out four.
Bradley gave up a two-run home run to Yainer Diaz in the second inning, marking his seventh consecutive appearance allowing a long ball. Despite surrendering five runs, Bradley allowed just three hits, tying his season low in the category while doling out four walks. Though Bradley has thrown six innings just once this season (16 starts), he'll likely be worth a look as a streaming option during his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled to come against the Tigers at Comerica Park.
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Hunter Brown SP | HOU
Astros' Hunter Brown: Books another quality start
Brown (7-7) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out four.
After holding the Rays scoreless through the first six innings, Brown retook the mound to start the seventh frame but was quickly pulled without recording an out after serving up a two-run home run to Isaac Paredes. The outing marked Brown's second consecutive quality start after recording just one in his previous five appearances. In the month of July, Brown holds a 1-3 record and a 5.92 ERA across 24.1 innings. He's tentatively lined up for a meeting with the Yankees on the road for his next start.
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James Paxton SP | BOS
Red Sox's James Paxton: Recieves no run support
Paxton did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on eight hits and two walks over five innings against the Giants. He struck out five.
Though Paxton limited San Francisco to one run over five frames, the Red Sox offense was held scoreless until the ninth inning and knocked Paxton out of contention for his fourth win in five starts. Outside of an ugly six-run start against the Cubs, Paxton has surrendered two or fewer earned runs in five consecutive appearances dating back to June 24. Over that stretch, he has a 3.41 ERA and a 29:9 K:BB. Paxton is tentatively scheduled to take on the Blue Jays for his next start.
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Nathan Eovaldi SP | TEX
Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi: Start pushed due to elbow soreness
Eovaldi won't start Sunday against the Padres due to some soreness in his elbow, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The veteran right-hander had his start skipped early in the week for rest purposes after he had a dip in his velocity during his previous start July 18, but he's apparently dealing with some soreness in his elbow. Manager Bruce Bochy said an MRI came back clean and a trip to the injured list isn't currently being considered, though that could change depending how Eovaldi feels over the next couple days. At the very least, he doesn't seem likely to take the mound for the Rangers until at least next weekend's three-game set versus the Marlins.
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Zach Eflin SP | BAL
Rays' Zach Eflin: Throws off mound
Eflin (knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Rays wanted to test Eflin's left knee by having him throw off a mound after he tweaked the knee Wednesday versus the Marlins, and manager Kevin Cash said Eflin's session went well and the right-hander is "doing better." However, it remains unclear whether Eflin will be able to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees.
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Corey Kluber SP | BOS
Red Sox's Corey Kluber: Shut down from all activities
The Red Sox shut down Kluber (shoulder) from all baseball activity Saturday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.
Kluber suffered a setback during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester and will now have his return date pushed back. There's been no word on how severe Kluber's setback is, but he figures to still be multiple weeks away from returning to Boston. The 37-year-old righty held a 7.04 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 55 innings before getting injured in late June.
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Mike Clevinger RP | PIT
White Sox's Mike Clevinger: Activated ahead of Saturday's start
Clevinger (biceps) was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Guardians.
He did not go on a rehab assignment and will look to impress potential trade suitors ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Most recently, Clevinger completed a four-inning simulated game, so he could go deep enough to qualify for the win. The 32-year-old righty has a 3.88 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 62.2 innings this season.