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Gerrit Cole SP | NYY
Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Continues Cy Young push
Cole (12-4) earned the win over Detroit on Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.
Cole wasn't overpowering in the effort -- he recorded a modest nine swinging strikes and seven punchouts -- but he walked away with his second straight victory following a rough four-inning, six-run loss to Boston on Aug. 19. The right-hander collected his league-leading 20th quality start, with seven of those coming in his nine outings since the All-Star break. Cole also ranks third in the AL in strikeouts (188), second in ERA (2.95) and fourth in WHIP (1.04).
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Brandon Pfaadt SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Brandon Pfaadt: Stumbles versus Dodgers
Pfaadt dropped to 1-7 after allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Dodgers.
Pfaadt had gotten his season on track in August, but the month ended on a sour note. He gave up two-run home runs to Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward in the third inning, and Max Muncy added a two-run double in the fourth. Pfaadt gave up 16 runs (15 earned) over 33.2 innings across his six starts in August. The rookie is now at a 6.21 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 64:22 K:BB through 71 innings over 14 starts this year. He's tentatively lined up for a home start versus the Rockies next week.
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Kyle Freeland SP | COL
Rockies' Kyle Freeland: Downed by Atlanta
Freeland dropped to 5-14 while allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to Atlanta.
Facing baseball's most powerful offense at Coors Field was always going to be tricky for Freeland. He ended up with a sour end to a mediocre August in which he went 1-3 while allowing 25 runs (24 earned) over 33.2 innings across six starts. The poor month elevated his ERA from 4.79 to 5.18, and he has a 1.47 WHIP and 89:38 K:BB over 140.2 innings this season. Freeland is projected to make his next start on the road in Arizona.
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Darius Vines SP | CIN
Braves' Darius Vines: Wins big-league debut in Colorado
Vines (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the Rockies.
Making his major-league debut at Coors Field, Vines had few issues with the Rockies' lineup. The runs against him came on an Ezequiel Tovar single and a Hunter Goodman sacrifice fly. Vines had a 2.86 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB over 28.1 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett after recovering from a shoulder injury, so his success isn't all that surprising. The rookie right-hander could have a chance to stick in Atlanta's rotation beyond Wednesday. If he does, he could pitch at home versus the Cardinals next week, though Atlanta may use Monday's off day to push him to the back a few days instead.
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Joey Wentz SP | ATL
Tigers' Joey Wentz: Covers five innings Wednesday
Wentz tossed five innings as the bulk pitcher in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Yankees. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six.
The six strikeouts were nice, but Wentz was largely ineffective once again, pushing his season ERA to 6.65, which would be the worst in the majors if he qualified. Three home runs accounted for most of the damage, and he's now allowed 21 long balls this season in 89.1 innings. Wentz may continue to get some chances as a starter or bulk reliever down the stretch, but he can be avoided in fantasy given his struggles.
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Patrick Corbin SP | TOR
Nationals' Patrick Corbin: Tagged for six runs in loss
Corbin (9-12) took the loss Wednesday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and a walk over five innings in a 7-0 loss against the Blue Jays. He struck out five.
Corbin had been pitching well coming into Wednesday's start, posting a 2.12 ERA over his previous three outings. The Blue Jays got to him early, scoring twice in the first inning, eventually handing Corbin his first loss since July 24. Overall, the left-hander now sports a 4.90 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and 109:48 K:BB across 27 starts (154.1 innings) this season. Corbin will look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for next week at home against the Mets.
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Chris Bassitt SP | BAL
Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt: Blanks Washington in win
Bassitt (13-7) earned the win Wednesday, allowing three hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings against Washington. He struck out three.
It was a rebound performance from Bassitt after he was tagged for four runs over 5.2 innings in a loss to Cleveland in his prior start. The 34-year-old right-hander had been somewhat inconsistent recently, pitching to a 5.09 ERA in his previous three starts coming into Wednesday (17.2 innings). Overall, Bassitt sports a 3.81 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 151:52 K:BB across 28 starts (165.1 innings) this season. He's currently in line for a road matchup with the A's in his next start.
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Tommy Henry SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tommy Henry: Still not throwing
Manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Henry (elbow) still has not started his throwing program and he may be "past the point of no return," Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Lovullo said last week that there was a chance Henry returns in a bullpen role before the end of the season, but his chances appear to be fading. If Henry isn't able to begin his throwing program within the next few days, it's certainly possible the D-backs shift their focus to getting Henry ready for the start of spring training next year.
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Mason Miller RP | SD
Athletics' Mason Miller: Likely one more rehab start
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Miller (elbow) will likely make one more rehab start, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Miller topped 100 mph eight different times while tallying three strikeouts in a scoreless inning Tuesday with Triple-A Las Vegas, but the outing only lasted 29 pitches and the A's want him to build up a bit more on the farm. The 25-year-old has been on the major-league injured list since early May because of a UCL sprain in his right elbow.
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Brandon Woodruff SP | MIL
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Strikes out eight in no-decision
Woodruff did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out eight.
After the Cubs scored twice in the opening frame, Woodruff rebounded to blank Chicago over his final five frames, allowing just one additional hit. In five starts since returning from a four-month IL stint, Woodruff's pitched to a 3.45 ERA while logging 37 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. Overall, he's 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB across seven starts (40 innings) this season. Woodruff currently lines up for a road matchup with the Pirates in his next outing.