Gusto (6-4) allowed eight runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five over 3.1 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

Filling in for a rotation that lost Lance McCullers (finger blister) and Brandon Walter (elbow), Gusto was unable to provide much length in his return to a starting role. He gave up two home runs, and reliever Nick Hernandez was tagged for another long ball just after Gusto's exit. Gusto is now at a 5.18 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 82:27 K:BB through 80 innings across 23 appearances (13 starts). The Astros have a full rotation's worth of pitchers on the injured list and none are expected back before August, so it's likely Gusto will be called on for at least one more start, which is projected to be at home versus the Nationals next week.

Springs (9-7) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings to earn the win over the Astros on Friday.

Springs received ample run support as the Athletics' offense unleashed a six-homer barrage, including four by rookie Nick Kurtz. Springs did well to never let the Astros get close, giving up just a two-run home run to Zack Short in the fifth inning. This was Springs' third quality start in his last four outings, a span in which he's surrendered 11 runs and four homers over 22.2 innings, though he has a 16:2 K:BB in that span. Overall, the southpaw is at a 4.13 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 95:39 K:BB through 120 innings over 22 appearances (20 starts this season). He's lined up for a home start versus the Mariners next week.

Gore (4-10) took the loss against the Twins on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and six walks while striking out four across five innings.

Gore had issues with his command all night long, which reared its ugly head in the fifth inning, when his two wild pitches allowed Matt Wallner to advance from first to third before being brought home on a sacrifice fly by Byron Buxton. That was the only run Gore yielded, but he still took the loss after the Nationals were blanked by Zebby Matthews and the Twins' bullpen. Gore has given up two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts and has a 3.52 ERA, 1.27 WHIP across 117.2 innings, with his 144 strikeouts tied with Hunter Brown and Dylan Cease for fourth most in the majors. Gore has taken the loss in five of his last seven starts, and he'll look to get back in the win column in his next outing, slated for next week on the road against the Astros.

Houser (6-2) picked up the win Friday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

With the White Sox putting up multiple runs in four of the first five innings, Houser was cruising along until the seventh inning. The veteran right-hander still managed to post his ninth quality start in 11 outings, and he continues to be a pleasant surprise since joining Chicago's rotation in late May. Houser holds a 2.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB across 68.2 innings, and his expiring contract makes him a logical trade candidate ahead of Thursday's deadline. He's currently projected to next take the hill at home in a tough spot versus the Phillies.

Imanaga (7-4) took the loss Friday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs on 12 hits and no walks in three-plus innings. He struck out two.

Imanaga encountered troubled waters from the get-go, surrendering five runs on nine hits (including two homers) in the first two innings, and he was never quite able to settle in. The 12 hits allowed were a career high for the left-hander, who also established a season worst in runs allowed. Imanaga now owns a 3.12 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 55:17 K:BB over 78 frames, and he'll try to get back on track in Milwaukee in his next scheduled start.

Pivetta (10-3) took the loss Friday against the Cardinals, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 6.1 innings.

Pivetta turned in another strong outing, though it wasn't enough to avoid taking the loss in a low-scoring affair. The right-hander hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in a start since June 20 and has posted a dominant 0.96 ERA with 40 strikeouts and just eight walks over that six-start stretch. Pivetta will look to continue the hot streak in his upcoming outing, scheduled for next week against the Mets.

Matthews (2-2) earned the win against the Nationals on Friday, allowing two hits while striking out seven across six scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.

Matthews was dominant in his first quality start of the season, limiting the Nationals to just three baserunners while generating 12 whiffs and seven groundballs on 81 pitches (54 strikes). It was his second start since being reinstated from the 15-day injured list July 19, and while he's had his struggles in the majors this season, Friday's outing lowered his numbers to a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 29 innings. Even with Bailey Ober (hip) nearing a return from the injured list, Matthews should stay in the Twins' rotation after David Festa (shoulder) landed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday. Matthews is slated to make his next start against the Guardians on the road next weekend.

Kremer did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings.

Kremer was given an early 4-0 lead before allowing five runs, including two homers, across the third and fourth innings. It continued an up-and-down year for the 29-year-old, who's held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 21 starts but has also allowed five or more earned runs seven times. He'll carry a 4.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 99:32 K:BB over 121.1 innings into a home matchup with the red-hot Blue Jays next week.

Freeland did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Orioles, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings.

Freeland allowed four solo homers in his first two innings but bounced back with four scoreless frames. The veteran southpaw threw 66 of 93 pitches for strikes with 12 whiffs, and he's now completed at least six frames in 11 of 19 starts this season. He'll take a 5.24 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 74:26 K:BB across 101.1 innings into a road matchup with the Guardians next week.

Mikolas (6-7) earned the win Friday against the Padres, allowing seven hits and striking out one across five scoreless innings.

Following a rough outing in Arizona, Mikolas bounced back effectively Friday, shutting out the Padres over five frames despite consistently dealing with runners on base. It marked the second time in his last three starts that the right-hander has delivered a scoreless effort. With the performance, Mikolas lowered his season ERA below 5.00, which now sits at 4.94 alongside a 1.30 WHIP and 70:23 K:BB over 102 innings. The veteran hurler is scheduled to take the mound again next week against the Marlins.