MLB Player News

Cole allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings Tuesday in a win over the Indians in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round. He struck out 13 and did not issue a walk.

Cole outdueled Shane Bieber in a game where everyone expected a pitchers' duel, lasting seven innings. The Yankees' ace threw 73 of his 105 pitches for strikes, fanning an impressive 13 batters. The right-hander recorded a 2.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 3.89 FIP during the regular season. The 30-year-old's next chance at taking the mound would be if the Yankees advance to the AL Division Series.

Bieber allowed seven runs across 4.2 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round. He allowed nine hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Bieber had not allowed more than three earned runs in any start during the regular season. The 25-year-old threw 62 of his 105 pitches for strikes but the Yankees were successful in driving up his pitch count, resulting in his shortest start in 2020. The right-hander's next chance at taking the mound would be if the Indians can advance to the AL Division Series.

Snell fired 5.2 scoreless innings Tuesday as he earned the win against the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out nine.

Snell cruised in his 5.2 innings of work, refusing to allow a runner to reach second base. The 27-year-old lefty threw 48 of his 82 pitches for strikes as he left the Jays guessing all night. After recording a 3.24 ERA in the regular season, the southpaw will look to carry his dominance into his next start, which would be in the ALDS if the Rays advance.

Luzardo took the loss to the White Sox on Tuesday in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, allowing three runs on six hits over 3.1 innings. He struck out five and did not issue a walk.

The lefty has a bright future ahead of him, but Tuesday was not his day. Adam Engel, who managed just three homers during the regular season, took Luzardo deep before MVP candidate Jose Abreu followed up with a two-run shot in the third inning. Luzardo could get a chance to redeem himself if the A's are able to rally in this short, best-of-three series.

Giolito earned the win Tuesday against the A's in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings.

This can probably be considered Giolito's final ascent to true acedom. He was perfect through six innings, and as Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times notes, Giolito leaned heavily on his slider (26 sliders), more than he had in any prior start this season. Giolito will start Game 1 of the Division Series should the White Sox advance.

Valdez was credited with the win in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Astros and Twins. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five over five scoreless innings in relief of Zack Greinke.

Valdez had a breakout regular season and ended up being the story of the wild-card opener. Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Valdez became the first relief pitcher to throw five scoreless innings in a playoff game since Madison Bumgarner in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series. This takes the lefty out of the mix to start during the first round, but should the Astros advance, Valdez will likely start Game 1 or 2 of the best-of-five AL Division Series.

Greinke allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out one batter over four innings in a no-decision against the Twins in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series.

Manager Dusty Baker gave Greinke the short hook (79 pitches) after Greinke stumbled to a 6.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in his final five starts of the regular season. The move worked, as Framber Valdez shined in long relief, shutting the Twins out the rest of the way en route to a 4-1 Game 1 victory. The Division Series is best-of-five, and it seems likely Greinke and Valdez will each make a start of their own should the Astros advance.

Maeda allowed two hits and three walks over five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Astros in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series. He struck out five.

Maeda held up his end of the bargain, but the team couldn't come through in Game 1. With that, the Twins have now lost 17 consecutive postseason games, an MLB record. Maeda was brilliant during his first regular season in Minnesota, going 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 80:10 K:BB in 66.2 innings. If he starts again this year, it will be in the American League Division Series.

Hill is not part of the Twins' wild-card roster, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Hill's exclusion is presumably due to the fact that he started Sunday against the Reds. He therefore won't be ready to pitch at any point in the Wild Card Round, which ends Thursday. If the Twins advance, he could certainly play a role, as he cruised to a 3.03 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in eight starts this season.

Odorizzi (finger) is on the Twins' wild-card roster, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Odorizzi battled multiple injuries throughout the season and went on to make just four starts, allowing 10 earned runs in 13.2 innings. He most recently missed time due to a blister but is evidently ready to pitch in some capacity now. He isn't listed as the expected starter for any of the three potential wild-card games, however, so he'll presumably be stuck in a relief role for the series.