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Zack Wheeler SP | PHI
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Blanks Astros
Wheeler (3-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against the Astros. He struck out seven.
Wheeler looked the part of an ace Saturday, holding Houston scoreless in six innings while fanning seven and not allowing a single baserunner to reach third base. The 33-year-old appears to be turning the corner after a rough start to 2023, striking out 18 and giving up three runs on six hits over his last 12 innings of work after tallying a 4.69 ERA and 23 hits while failing to pick up a win during his first four starts (20.2 innings). Considering Wheeler's long track record of fantasy excellence, managers should expect more good things to come. Wheeler is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Red Sox.
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Edward Cabrera SP | CHC
Marlins' Edward Cabrera: Posts career-high 12 strikeouts
Cabrera (2-2) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks over five innings in a 7-6 win over the Cubs. He struck out 12.
Cabrera set a career-high in strikeouts Saturday, topping his previous best by three after punching out eight of the final 10 batters he faced. He was tagged for a two-run home run by Patrick Wisdom in the second frame, marking his fourth long ball given up in his last three appearances. Cabrera also couldn't shake his command issues, handing out five free passes Saturday to increase his BB/9 to 8.33 through 27.0 innings. Though he's tough to trust, it's hard to ignore Cabrera's 12.00 K/9, which makes him an intriguing matchup-based streaming option and daily fantasy pick.
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Joe Musgrove SP | SD
Padres' Joe Musgrove: Can't escape fourth inning
Musgrove did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing seven runs on six hits and one walk over 3.1 innings against San Francisco. He struck out three.
Musgrove started the fourth inning with a 5-2 lead. But five of the six batters he faced in the inning reached, and all five came around to score. Musgrove has made two starts this season after a toe and shoulder injury kept him on the injured list for the first few weeks of the campaign. After a career-best 2.93 ERA last season, Musgrove has a 10.80 ERA early in 2023. His next start is tentatively scheduled against the Dodgers, where he will look to get on track.
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Walker Buehler SP | SD
Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Throws from 150 feet away
Buehler (elbow) was seen throwing at Dodgers Stadium on Saturday and throwing from 150 feet away, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Buehler began his throwing program back in March, and he's now able to complete long toss as he works his way back from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery that he underwent in August. There is a chance for Buehler to help the Dodgers at the end of the 2023 season as a multi-inning reliever or possibly a starter if everything goes right, but any appearances that happen before September at this point are bonuses.
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David Peterson SP | CHC
Mets' David Peterson: Heads to Triple-A
The Mets optioned Peterson to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
Peterson has a strong 18.8 K-BB%, but it hasn't translated into worthwhile run prevention. The southpaw had strong starts against the Marlins and Padres earlier in the year, but he gave up four or more runs in his other four outings. With Saturday's postponement and a potential postponement coming again Sunday against Atlanta, the Mets will have well-rested rotation options available early next week, especially with Max Scherzer (suspension) and Justin Verlander (shoulder) will also set to return. John Curtiss was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Jameson Taillon SP | TOR
Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Throwing off mound Saturday
Taillon (groin) is throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
There is no public timetable yet, but Taillon continues to take positive steps forward and seems likely to be ready to return to the Cubs' active roster by the middle of May if he can avoid setbacks. The right-hander has been sidelined for a little under two weeks with a mild-to-moderate left groin strain. Caleb Kilian is filling his rotation spot Saturday at Miami.
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Jack Flaherty SP | DET
Cardinals' Jack Flaherty: Labors through third loss
Flaherty (2-3) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over 4.2 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Dodgers.
Flaherty also hit one batter. He needed 110 pitches (68 strikes) to record 14 outs. The right-hander was effectively wild earlier in the season, but he's now allowed at least three runs in three straight games and a home run in four straight outings despite cutting back on the walks. He's posted a 3.94 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 33:21 K:BB across 32 innings over six starts. Flaherty's next outing is projected for a home start versus the Angels next week.
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Tylor Megill SP | NYM
Mets' Tylor Megill: Saturday's start postponed
Megill had his scheduled start Saturday versus Atlanta postponed by rain.
Megill will likely take the mound Sunday, if the rain lets up at all in Queens. The 27-year-old right-hander has pitched to an uneven 3.96 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB through 25 innings (five starts) this season with the Mets.
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Spencer Strider SP | ATL
Braves' Spencer Strider: ATL-NYM postponed by rain
Strider will not start Saturday against the Mets after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Queens, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Aug. 12. The two teams will try to fit in Sunday's tilt, with Strider slated to get the start for Atlanta, but the forecast for the New York area calls for sustained rain throughout the remainder of the weekend. Strider stands 3-0 with a brilliant 1.80 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 49:11 K:BB in 30 innings (five starts) this season.
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David Peterson SP | CHC
Mets' David Peterson: Stuck with rain-aided loss
Peterson (1-4) took the loss Friday as the Mets fell 4-0 to Atlanta, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.
For four innings the evening featured a pitchers' duel between two talented southpaws, but Atlanta got to Peterson in the fifth while New York's bats remained quiet against Max Fried, and they never got a chance to respond when the game was called after five frames due to rain. The long ball remains Peterson's Achilles heel this season -- Matt Olson's blast Friday was the eighth homer he's served up in 30.2 innings -- but his 36:10 K:BB offers hope he can turn things around if he hits his spots a little better. Peterson will take a 7.34 ERA and 1.57 WHIP into his next start, likely to come next week in Detroit.