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Robert Gasser SP | MIL
Brewers' Robert Gasser: Records quality start in victory
Gasser (3-4) notched the win over Colorado on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four batters over six innings.
Gasser threw an efficient 51 of 77 pitches for strikes to complete six frames for just the third time through 11 outings this season. The left-hander surrendered only one extra-base hit and didn't issue a free pass for his third consecutive appearance. Gasser has looked good in his two starts since the All-Star break, allowing three runs across 11 innings with a 9:0 K:BB. Though Kyle Harrison (elbow) is reportedly nearing a rehab assignment, Gasser could challenge Brandon Sproat or Shane Drohan to remain in the rotation if he continues to pitch well.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto SP | LAD
Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Earns 11th win
Yamamoto (11-6) allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings to earn the win over the Mets on Saturday.
This wasn't Yamamoto's best work, but it was good enough to get another quality start and victory. He continues to be the Dodgers' workhorse on the mound, going at least six frames in each of his last eight starts -- seven of them being quality starts with just 16 runs allowed over 56.1 innings in that span. Yamamoto has a 2.72 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 118:28 K:BB through 125.2 innings over 19 appearances this season. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Red Sox.
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Nolan McLean SP | NYM
Mets' Nolan McLean: Handed seventh loss
McLean (7-7) allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Dodgers.
By virtue of two of the runs being unearned, McLean was able to log his fifth straight quality start. He's allowed nine runs (four earned) with a 36:9 K:BB in that span, resulting in a 1.20 ERA over 30 innings. He's also racked up at least seven strikeouts in six of his last seven outings. McLean continues to impress -- he's now at a 3.32 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 142:43 K:BB through 119.1 innings through 21 starts this year. The 25-year-old's next outing is projected to be at home against the Marlins.
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Connelly Early SP | WAS
Nationals' Connelly Early: Dealt to Washington for Mead
The Nationals acquired Early (elbow) from the Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Early is currently on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation, but he's been throwing for the past week and is expected to head out on a rehab assignment in the near future. Boston had a surplus of starting pitchers and chose to ship out Early to address the team's need for added thump to the lineup. In the 24-year-old Early, the Nationals get a young arm who can occupy a spot in the rotation for years to come. Across 21 career MLB regular-season starts, Early has a 3.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 122:38 K:BB spanning 111 innings.
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Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Hit hard in loss
Greene (2-2) allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Cardinals on Saturday.
Greene has had a pair of quality starts and a pair of not-so-quality starts over his four outings since he returned from elbow surgery. The right-hander set a season low for strikeouts Saturday, and while he didn't give up a home run, the Cardinals had no trouble taking advantage of his mistakes. Greene is now at a 7.06 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB through 21.2 innings this season. He is projected to make his next start at home versus the Pirates.
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Andre Pallante SP | STL
Cardinals' Andre Pallante: Stellar in 11th win
Pallante (11-6) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven shutout innings to earn the win over the Reds on Saturday.
Pallante put together the best outing of his season, matching his previous highs for strikeouts and innings pitched in a game this year. He threw 57 of 90 pitches for strikes in the dominant performance and has now held the Reds to one run on four hits and two walks over 13 innings across two starts this season. Overall, Pallante sports a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 83:32 K:BB through 112.1 innings over 20 starts. He is lined up to make his next start on the road in Toronto.
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Paul Skenes SP | PIT
Pirates' Paul Skenes: Unravels late in loss
Skenes (9-9) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Skenes was locked in a pitcher's duel with Shota Imanaga before allowing three runs in the fifth inning and being charged with two more after departing with one out in the sixth. It snapped a three-start winning streak during which Skenes yielded three earned runs or fewer, though he did generate 22 whiffs on 105 pitches while posting a season-high 11 punchouts Saturday. The 24-year-old owns a 3.65 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 149:28 K:BB across 120.2 innings this season and will aim to rebound in a road matchup with the Reds next week.
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Shota Imanaga SP | CHC
Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Strong again in win
Imanaga (7-8) earned the win against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings.
Imanaga outdueled Paul Skenes, keeping the Pirates off the board despite generating only six swinging strikes on 84 pitches. Per John Perrotto of MLB.com, Imanaga has allowed just one run over 38 career innings against the Pirates. The southpaw has now thrown back-to-back scoreless outings and has limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in seven of his past eight starts dating back to June 10. He'll carry a 3.72 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 113:29 K:BB across 121 innings this season into a road matchup with the Cardinals next week.
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Bryce Elder SP | ATL
Braves' Bryce Elder: Strikes out eight in no-decision
Elder did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Orioles, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks with eight strikeouts over five innings.
Elder allowed single runs in the third and fifth innings, recording eight strikeouts -- his best mark since May 10 -- while also tying a season high with four walks. After limping into the All-Star break having allowed 22 earned runs over four starts, the 27-year-old has now yielded just three earned runs through two outings to open the second half. He'll take a 3.96 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 98:37 K:BB across 113.2 innings into a home matchup with the Nationals next week.
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Foster Griffin SP | CLE
Nationals' Foster Griffin: Collects 12th win
Griffin (12-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out two.
The 30-year-old left-hander continues to impress in his first MLB action since 2022. Griffin has delivered 12 quality starts this season, including seven in his last eight outings -- a stretch in which he's produced a 1.56 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 44:7 K:BB over 52 innings. While his name has come up in trade rumors, it's hard to imagine Griffin getting dealt if the surprising Nationals intend to remain in playoff contention. He's scheduled to make his next start on the road next week in Atlanta.