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MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Padres' MacKenzie Gore: Not seen as bullpen option
The Padres would like Gore to break into the big leagues as a starting pitcher, which is partly why he has not debuted this season, 97.3 The Fan reports.
General manager A.J. Preller noted how steady and productive the team's starting rotation has been this season, calling it a strength, so the fact the team wants Gore to break in as a starter coupled with the fact there wasn't a flurry of openings partially explains why Gore hasn't debuted. The GM also noted that Gore has only pitched in five games at Double-A in his career. If Gore had been dominating all summer at the alternate site, it seems likely the team would have found a spot for him, but that doesn't necessarily mean Gore has not been at least adequate this year, given his age and experience.
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Ian Anderson RP | ATL
Braves' Ian Anderson: Let down by defense
Anderson (3-2) took the loss Thursday as Atlanta fell 4-2 to the Marlins, giving up three unearned runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.
The rookie took a shutout into the sixth inning, but an error by Adeiny Hechavarria to lead off the frame proved costly when Miami staged a two-out rally. Anderson closes out the regular season with an impressive 1.95 ERA and 41:14 K:BB through his first 32.1 big-league innings, and he should be a big part of Atlanta's rotation plans in the playoffs.
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Walker Buehler SP | SD
Dodgers' Walker Buehler: Impressive in return
Buehler hurled four scoreless innings against Oakland on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out six. He did not factor in the decision.
Los Angeles limited Buehler to four innings and 65 pitches in his return from a blister on his throwing hand, but he did enough in the abbreviated start to inspire confidence heading into the postseason. The right-hander induced 11 swinging strikes despite the short outing as he whiffed half of the 12 batters he retired. Per Eric Stephen of SBNation.com, Buehler's next outing will be as a starter in either Game 1 or Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Marlins' Pablo Lopez: Strong in sixth win
Lopez (6-4) picked up the win Thursday as the Marlins downed Atlanta 4-2, giving up two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out six.
The right-hander extended his winning streak to three straight starts, posting a 1.56 ERA and 19:5 K:BB through 17.1 innings over that stretch. With the Marlins currently holding onto the No. 6 seed in the National League and fighting to clinch a playoff spot over the final weekend, Lopez will have to wait and see whether he'll get a chance to continue his winning streak in the postseason.
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Kwang Hyun Kim SP | STL
Cardinals' Kwang Hyun Kim: Earns third victory
Kim (3-0) earned the win over Milwaukee on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three.
Kim was far from efficient in the victory -- he needed 99 pitches to make it through five frames -- but the southpaw nonetheless held the Brewers to a single run. In his seven starts this season, Kim has given up more than one run only once, and he has registered a minuscule 1.62 ERA overall in 39 innings. The 32-year-old isn't much of a strikeout pitcher (5.5 K/9), but it's hard to overlook his impressive results in his first major-league season. With St. Louis currently sitting in playoff position, Kim's next start could come in a postseason contest.
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Kevin Gausman SP | CHC
Giants' Kevin Gausman: Strong effort ends in no-decision
Gausman fanned nine while allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk across six innings during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies. He did not factor in the decision.
Gausman was effective in six innings of work, punching out nine Rockies before exiting with a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for the right-hander, Sam Coonrod quickly gave up a pair of runs after replacing him, forcing Gausman to settle for a no-decision. It marked the second straight outing in which Gausman was sharp but came away winless. The 29-year-old has fanned 24 while allowing just four runs across his last 18 innings and is a strong candidate to start a game next week should the Giants sneak into the playoffs.
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David Peterson SP | CHC
Mets' David Peterson: Closes out season with sixth win
Peterson (6-2) allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four over seven innings in a win over the Nationals on Thursday.
His strikeout total fell back down after his 10-K gem against Atlanta last weekend, but Peterson was effective even without a lot of swing-and-miss, and he can hold his head high heading into the offseason after posting a 2.00 ERA in his final three outings. The lefty has been a bright spot for the Mets this season and should have the inside track on a rotation spot heading into spring training. Overall, Peterson turned in a 3.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 40:24 K:BB in 49.2 innings.
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Patrick Corbin SP | TOR
Nationals' Patrick Corbin: Ends season with another loss
Corbin (2-7) allowed three runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out three over seven innings in a loss to the Mets on Thursday.
There was a lot of traffic on the bases, and while Corbin was able to work around that traffic early, the Mets ultimately cashed in for three runs against the lefty in the fifth and sixth innings. Corbin ends his disappointing 2020 campaign with a 4.66 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 60:18 K:BB in 65.2 frames. He saw a big velocity dip across the board, and that's especially concerning for a 31-year-old with a history of elbow trouble.
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Mike Clevinger RP | PIT
Padres' Mike Clevinger: Targeting possible NLCS return
The Padres are targeting a potential NLCS appearance for Clevinger (elbow) to return, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Heyman added that if all goes perfectly, the right-hander could return for the NL Division Series should the Padres advance. That being said, it sounds like San Diego will most likely need to make it through two rounds for Clevinger to take the mound this postseason.