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J.T. Brubaker RP | SF
Pirates' JT Brubaker: Takes no-decision Saturday
Brubaker tossed five innings against San Diego on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four. He did not factor in the decision.
Brubaker kept San Diego off the scoreboard for three innings, but an Eric Hosmer long ball in the fourth netted three runs for the Padres and gave them a brief lead. Pittsburgh was able to get the right-hander off the hook with a pair of runs in the fifth, however, and ultimately pulled the game out in 10 innings. This was just the second time Brubaker has completed five innings in a contest this season, and he has largely been a pitcher to avoid in fantasy with a 6.20 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over five starts. His next turn in the rotation is likely to come in Cincinnati next weekend.
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Justin Steele SP | CHC
Cubs' Justin Steele: Goes three frames in loss
Steele (1-3) took the loss at the hands of the Brewers on Saturday, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts in three innings.
Milwaukee jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, as Steele surrender four singles and Chicago committed two errors, and he never settled in. Steele was pulled before he could face the order a third time while throwing 48 of 74 pitches for strikes, and he has now made it to five innings just once in five starts. The 26-year-old lefty is tentatively projected to start next weekend against the Dodgers.
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Eric Lauer SP | LAD
Brewers' Eric Lauer: Fans 11 more batters
Lauer (2-0) got the win during Saturday's 9-1 victory over the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts in seven innings.
Coming off a 13-strikeout performance on Sunday Night Baseball, Lauer put up nearly as many whiffs Saturday and got the win this time. Milwaukee jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and the 26-year-old faltered just once when he served up a Yan Gomes solo shot in the second inning. Lauer is among the leaders in both ERA and strikeouts, and it would appear Milwaukee has uncovered another gem.
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Taijuan Walker SP | LAA
Mets' Taijuan Walker: Five shutout innings
Walker registered a no-decision during Saturday's 4-1 loss to Philadelphia, allowing two hits and two walks with one strikeout in five scoreless innings.
Making his first start since April 11, Walker again held Philadelphia scoreless and stayed away from trouble aside from two baserunners in the third inning. He shouldered a near-regular workload as manager Buck Showalter let the 29-year-old go a solid 73 pitches before he turned it over to the bullpen. Through seven innings this season, Walker is yet to allow a run with an 0.57 WHIP and five strikeouts, with both starts coming against Philadelphia.
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Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Breaks franchise strikeout record
Kershaw did not factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to the Tigers. He allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings.
By fanning Dustin Garneau in the third inning, Kershaw tied Hall of Famer Don Sutton for the most strikeouts in Dodgers history. An inning later, Kershaw struck out Spencer Torkelson for No. 2,697, passing Sutton on the all-time list. Kershaw has been tremendous through four starts this season, posting a 2.35 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 30:2 K:BB over 23 innings. He projects to take the ball next weekend at Wrigley Field.
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Kyle Gibson SP | BAL
Phillies' Kyle Gibson: Walks five in no-decision
Gibson didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 4-1 win against the Mets, permitting an unearned run on two hits and five walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
Gibson dealt with some traffic on the bases thanks to a season-high five walks but prevented New York from crossing the plate until his own fifth-inning error brought home a run and prompted his removal. The 34-year-old has been adequate in four starts since firing seven scoreless frames with 10 strikeouts in his first start, now possessing a 2.93 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through 27.2 innings. He's currently slated to face New York again sometime next weekend.
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Connor Overton RP | NYM
Reds' Connor Overton: Strong showing in 2022 debut
Overton did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Rockies. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings.
Overton drew a tough assignment at Coors Field in his Reds debut. He more than held his own, inducing nine swinging strikes on 75 pitches and leaving in line for the win. The right-hander is a journeyman at 28 years old, having bounced around between several clubs in the minors before making nine appearances between Pittsburgh and Toronto last season. He may get another opportunity to start for Cincinnati next week with a doubleheader on the schedule.
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Miles Mikolas RP | WAS
Cardinals' Miles Mikolas: Beaten by eighth-inning homers
Mikolas (1-1) took the loss Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on four hits in 7.1 innings of work, striking out seven while walking none.
In a matchup between two veteran righties who jump-started their careers overseas, Mikolas and Merrill Kelly pitched to a scoreless tie through seven innings. While that was the end of Kelly's day, Mikolas remained in the game for the eighth inning and probably shouldn't have, as he gave up solo shots to Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed. Despite the poor finish, it was on the whole another strong outing for Mikolas, who owns a 1.52 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through five starts. He tentatively lines up to face the Giants in San Francisco next week.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Throws seven shutout innings
Kelly (2-1) earned the win Saturday against St. Louis, striking out four while allowing just two hits and no walks across seven shutout innings.
It's been a remarkable start to the season for the 33-year-old righty, who now owns a 1.27 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through five starts. He's still not getting all that many strikeouts, as his strikeout rate dropped to 22.8 percent following Saturday's start, but he's been effective at keeping runners off the basepaths. The only times a Cardinal reached second base against him in this outing were on a pair of steals and an error. He'll look to keep the hot start going next week, when he lines up to face the Rockies at home.
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Taijuan Walker SP | LAA
Mets' Taijuan Walker: Activated ahead of start
Walker (shoulder) was activated off the injured list as expected ahead of his scheduled start Saturday against the Phillies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
Walker threw just two innings in his season debut before exiting with a shoulder injury that wound up costing him nearly three weeks. He's still not quite fully built up and is unlikely to get past 85 pitches in his return to action, though that could still give him a shot at a win if he pitches efficiently. Yoan Lopez was optioned to clear space on the roster.