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Connor Prielipp SP | MIN
Twins' Connor Prielipp: Earns win in return to rotation
Prielipp (5-7) earned the win against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks with one strikeout over 5.1 innings.
Prielipp benefited from a four-run third inning from the Twins' offense, and he filled the strike zone with 57 of 77 pitches despite generating only five whiffs. The 25-year-old has now yielded three earned runs or fewer in four straight outings, with his two appearances prior to Saturday coming in bulk relief. He owns a 5.24 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 117:40 K:BB across 113.1 frames in his rookie campaign and lines up to face the Angels next weekend, though it's unclear in what role that may be.
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Joey Cantillo SP | CLE
Guardians' Joey Cantillo: Strikes out eight in bulk relief
Cantillo did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Twins, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out eight over four scoreless innings.
Cantillo entered in the third inning and dominated, throwing 37 of 56 pitches for strikes with 10 whiffs. It marked the first time the 26-year-old pitched in relief all year, and it was also his first scoreless outing since another four-inning effort July 29. He owns a 3.89 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 162:78 K:BB across 148 frames this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Athletics next weekend, should he return to the rotation.
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Randy Dobnak SP | KC
Royals' Randy Dobnak: Suffers tough-luck loss
Dobnak (3-4) took the loss against the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Dobnak departed in a 1-1 tie with two outs and two men on in the sixth inning, but he was saddled with the loss after both inherited runners came around to score. It ended a streak of three straight games in which the 31-year-old completed six frames, but he's still yielded three earned runs or fewer in 11 of 13 outings this season. He'll take a 2.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 47:23 K:BB across 69.1 innings into a road matchup with the Pirates next weekend.
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Kyle Bradish SP | BAL
Orioles' Kyle Bradish: Chased early by Jays
Bradish (7-14) took the loss Saturday, surrendering five runs on eight hits and two walks over three innings as the Orioles fell 7-3 to the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
Home runs by Brett Bateman and Alejandro Kirk in the third inning helped chase Bradish from the mound after just 56 pitches (37 strikes). It's the fifth time in his last nine starts that the right-hander has failed to complete five innings, and over that stretch he's stumbled to a 5.83 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 32:19 K:BB in 41.2 innings while going 0-5. Bradish will try to rebound in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Brewers.
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Ranger Suarez SP | BOS
Red Sox's Ranger Suarez: Strong again in win
Suarez (7-4) earned the win against the Royals on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.
Suarez allowed a solo homer in the sixth frame but was otherwise dominant, throwing 69 of 96 pitches for strikes with 14 whiffs. After surrendering a season-high six runs Aug. 30, the southpaw has rebounded in a big way with back-to-back seven-inning victories. He'll carry a 3.33 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 130:40 K:BB across 137.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the Rays next weekend.
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Roki Sasaki SP | LAD
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Now eyeing Thursday return?
Sasaki (finger) could come off the injured list as early as Thursday against the Reds, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
It was previously believed Sasaki could return Sunday in Miami, but that's not in the Dodgers' plans. The right-hander hasn't pitched since August 26 due to a blister on his right middle finger. Sasaki has made 23 starts this season, posting a 4.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 117:48 K:BB across 119.1 innings. In seven starts since the All-Star break, Sasaki has a 3.05 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 38.1 frames.
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Paul Skenes SP | PIT
Pirates' Paul Skenes: Sharp despite yielding two homers
Skenes completed seven innings Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters in a no-decision against the Cubs.
Skenes struggled a bit early, giving up a solo homer in both of the first and third innings. However, those were the only hits he allowed during those frames, and the All-Star hurler finished his outing with four straight scoreless innings. Overall, Skenes allowed only six baserunners and was very efficient, needing just 82 pitches (53 strikes) to complete seven innings. He was in line for the win upon his departure, but a late letdown by the Pirates' bullpen spoiled that bid. Though Skenes again didn't do much in the strikeout department, this was a strong performance against a tough offense after he gave up five runs over 5.1 frames the last time he faced the Cubs. Skenes will carry a disappointing 3.78 overall ERA into his next start, which is projected to be at home against Milwaukee.
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Clay Holmes SP | CHC
Cubs' Clay Holmes: Narrowly misses quality start
Holmes allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings versus Pittsburgh in a no-decision Saturday.
Holmes cruised through five scoreless frames but ran into trouble in the sixth. In that inning, the right-hander allowed three runs on three hits and two walks, with the big blow being a three-run blast off the bat of Ryan O'Hearn. The rough frame not only ended Holmes' bid for a win, but it also spoiled his chance at his eighth quality start. The 33-year-old was dominant over his final four outings in August, allowing just one run over 25 innings, but he's begun September by giving up 11 runs (10 earned) across 10 frames in his first two appearances. He's lined up to next take the mound in Cincinnati.
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Andrew Sears SP | DET
Tigers' Andrew Sears: Struggles in spot start Saturday
Sears allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Saturday.
Sears was recalled from Triple-A early in the day to make his fourth career MLB appearance (and second start). The southpaw got through two scoreless frames but then allowed two runs in each of the third and fourth innings. Sears did show good command with 51 of his 77 pitches going for strikes, but the seven hits he allowed were his most in a big-league appearance so far. Sears may return to the minors soon, as Jack Flaherty (forearm) could return from the injured list next week.
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Jesus Luzardo SP | PHI
Phillies' Jesus Luzardo: Hoping to pitch next week
Luzardo (shoulder) said Saturday that an MRI revealed no structural damage, and he is hopeful of pitching sometime next week, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Luzardo is dealing with some stiffness and inflammation after firing a complete-game, two-hit shutout Monday against Atlanta. The lefty was due to start Saturday against Atlanta once again, but Tim Mayza will instead open for Philly while Luzardo gets his turn in the rotation skipped. The 28-year-old will take anti-inflammatory medication with an eye toward next weekend's four-game set with the Mets.