MLB Player News

Wheeler (11-8) took the loss against the Marlins on Thursday, giving up three earned runs on five hits over eight innings, striking out 10 and walking none as the Mets eventually fell 4-2.

It was a hard-luck loss for Wheeler, who turned in a brilliant outing only to be matched by Jordan Yamamoto, who also turned in a double-digit-strikeout effort. Wheeler has been on a torrid run to close out the season, with this outing leaving him with just eight earned runs over his last 40 innings since Aug. 30. He'll end the year with a 3.96 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 195:50 K:BB across 195.1 innings.

Anderson (8-4) allowed one run on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts across five innings while earning a victory against the Reds on Thursday.

Like most of the Brewers, Anderson is red hot, having allowed just two runs in his last 15 innings (1.20 ERA). In September, he's 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA. Unless he makes an appearance in relief over the weekend, Anderson finishes the regular season 8-4 with a 4.21 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 124 strikeouts in 139 innings this season.

Castillo (15-8) allowed five runs on five hits with four walks and eight strikeouts across five innings while taking a loss against the Brewers on Thursday.

The 26-year-old has been struggling with walks a lot lately, but this was still the first time he handed out at least four free passes since June 22. Unfortunately, it helped Castillo end this season on a downer note; he hasn't pitched well in September. In his last eight starts, Castillo went 4-4 with a 5.55 ERA. He ends the 2019 season with a 15-8 record, 3.40 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 226 strikeouts in 190.2 innings this season.

Quintana (13-9) took the loss against the Pirates on Thursday, giving up seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits over five innings, striking out four and walking none as the Cubs fell 9-5.

Quintana's latest shellacking marked the third straight start in which he's given up at least five earned runs. He's shown flashes of brilliance at times in 2019, but the late-season rough patch leaves him with an unspectacular 4.68 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 171 innings to close the campaign.

Musgrove (11-12) got the win against the Cubs on Thursday, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking two as the Pirates won 9-5.

Musgrove has had an uneven campaign, but he's closed it on a strong note. Coming off this outing, he's now reached the five-inning threshold without allowing more than three earned runs in seven out of his last eight starts dating back to Aug. 10. He'll need to be more consistent going forward to establish himself as a reliable fantasy contributor, but hopefully he can build on the strong finish heading into next season. The right-hander closes the 2019 campaign with a 4.44 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 157:39 K:BB across 170.1 innings.

Quintana (13-9) allowed seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits across five innings to take the loss Thursday against the Pirates. He struck out four and did not issue any walks.

About the only positive was the lack of free passes, but Quintana was otherwise poor in his final outing of the season. It was a rough September for the lefty, as he allowed 23 earned runs over 18.2 innings. Quintana ends 2019 with a 152:46 K:BB across 171 innings to go with a disappointing 4.68 ERA, and the Cubs will need him to improve on that mark next year if they want a better chance at the playoffs.

Maeda struck out two batters without allowing a baserunner to earn the save Thursday against the Padres.

Kenley Jansen closed the Dodgers' victories Tuesday and Wednesday, so the team opted to rest him in favor of Maeda for the final outs Thursday. Maeda proved up to the task, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a popup to retire the final hitter. He's shifted to a one-inning role since Sept. 12 and turned in six scoreless efforts in seven appearances since.

Kershaw (16-5) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out seven across six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Padres.

Kershaw held the Padres in check, racking up 15 called strikes and 15 swinging strikes on 90 total pitches. While he's been spectacular for much of the season, Thursday's outing did end a six-start stretch in which he had allowed at least one home run -- surrendering multiple long balls on four occasions. Despite struggling with the long ball, Kershaw will close the 2019 regular season with a 3.05 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 188 strikeouts across 177.1 frames.

Strasburg (18-6) earned the win Thursday after holding the Phillies to one run on four hits while striking out 10 across six innings.

The righty was lights out and did not issue any walks in his final regular-season start to help secure Washington's lead in the National League wild-card race. Strasburg's only damage of the night was a solo home run off the bat of Cesar Hernandez in the fourth inning. The 31-year-old racked up 18 wins this year, surpassing his previous best of 15. He finishes the regular season with a stellar 3.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 251:56 K:BB.

Lucchesi (10-10) allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out six across six innings to take the loss Thursday against the Dodgers.

Lucchesi was a tough-luck loser Thursday, surrendering his only earned run in his final inning of work. Otherwise, he kept the Dodgers' lineup quiet, allowing no extra-base hits and recording 15 of his 18 outs via either groundout or strikeout. After consecutive rocky starts prior to Thursday's effort, Lucchesi will end the 2019 campaign on a positive note while also maintaining a 4.18 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 163.2 innings.