-
Max Scherzer SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Max Scherzer: Fans seven in Wednesday's loss
Scherzer (3-9) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, giving up four runs on four hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
Getting swept in the twin bill officially eliminated the Blue Jays from playoff contention, but Scherzer went down firing as he tossed 60 of 93 pitches for strikes. The 42-year-old right-hander has a 4.41 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 29:14 K:BB over his last six starts and 32.2 innings, but his personal campaign may not be done -- after Wednesday's performance, Scherzer sits four career strikeouts behind former teammate Justin Verlander (hamstring) for eighth place on MLB's all-time list. Toronto manager suggested before Wednesday's outing that Scherzer could pitch again at home Sunday versus Cincinnati in the regular-season finale, both to give a potential farewell to home fans and to try and catch Verlander.
-
Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Bangs out three more hits
McGonigle went 3-for-5 with a double in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Nationals.
The Tigers only managed eight hits in total, helping to explain why McGonigle wasn't able to cross the plate despite another strong effort from the leadoff spot. The 22-year-old appears to have the AL Rookie of the Year Award sewn up, but he isn't coasting to the finish line -- through 20 games in September, McGonigle has produced a .305/.396/.512 slash line with nine extra-base hits including three homers, plus 11 runs, 12 RBI and a 13:14 BB:K. He's the first Detroit rookie to collect 50 extra-base hits in a season since Steve Kemp in 1977.
-
Jarren Duran LF | BOS
Red Sox's Jarren Duran: Reaches 20 steals in win
Duran went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Guardians.
Duran singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning and scored the game's lone run. He later singled and stole second base in the eighth, giving the Red Sox a chance to bring in an insurance run. The steal was the 20th of the season for Duran, who has stolen as least 20 bags in four straight seasons. He also joined the 20-homer/20-steal club for the second time in his career. While his .207 batting average has been a drag, Duran's provided legit fantasy value.
-
Carter Jensen C | KC
Royals' Carter Jensen: Picks up three hits in win
Jensen went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the White Sox.
Jensen collected a trio of singles, marking his fifth game of the season with three-plus hits. The young catcher is ending the regular season on a high note, hitting .338/.416/.750 with six homers, 15 RBI and 16 runs in 18 September contests. Overall, Jensen is slashing .237/.323/.454 with 25 homers, 76 RBI, 77 runs and two stolen bases across 146 games.
-
Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Takes loss in relief Wednesday
Latz (3-4) took the loss after allowing one run on a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Mets.
Latz entered the game in the seventh inning, his earliest appearance since April 12, with two runners aboard and one out, and he escaped without allowing either runner to score. He returned for the eighth with the game tied 2-2, but Marcus Semien launched a two-out solo homer to left-center to put New York ahead for good. Latz now has 2.15 ERA on the season, but he's given up homers in two of his last three outings.
-
Cody Bradford SP | TEX
Rangers' Cody Bradford: Allows two runs in no-decision
Bradford didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mets after allowing two runs on four hits while striking out one over 4.1 innings.
Bradford kept New York scoreless through two innings before Francisco Lindor singled with two outs in the third and Juan Soto followed with a two-run homer to right-center. Those were the only runs charged to Bradford, who didn't issue a walk and departed with one out in the fifth. Texas erased the 2-0 deficit later that inning, taking Bradford off the hook for the loss. Bradford has made nine appearances (eight starts) this season and owns a 4.19 ERA with a 21:10 K:BB in 43 innings.
-
Hagen Smith RP | CHW
White Sox's Hagen Smith: Takes loss against Royals
Smith (3-3) allowed one earned run on two hits while striking out two across two innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Royas.
Bryan Hudson was by far the White Sox's most ineffective pitcher, but Smith got stuck with the loss after allowing what became the game-winning run for the Royals. However, Smith continued to show promise in his short appearances in the majors, generating 10 called strikes on 33 total pitches. Wednesday's appearance also marked only the third time in 17 appearances that Smith has surrendered a run. He'll likely make one more regular-season appearance and should cover around two frames once again.
-
Kyle Teel C | CHW
White Sox's Kyle Teel: On base more consistently
Teel went 1-for-3 with two RBI, a walk and a run scored Wednesday against the Royals.
Teel returned from the injured list Sept. 4 and has struggled to just a .170 batting average while striking out at a 36.7 percent clip. His strikeouts remain inflated, though he's gotten on base in three consecutive games and has three RBI with two runs scored in the small sample. Teel delivered a bases-loaded single to account for his production Wednesday.
-
Jonny DeLuca RF | TB
Rays' Jonny DeLuca: Three hits, two steals in loss
DeLuca went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and two stolen bases in Wednesday's 9-2 loss to the Yankees.
DeLuca was one of Tampa Bay's few bright spots in the loss, as he matched a season high with three hits. He'd also swipe a pair of bases, after logging just one steal in his previous 33 games. Overall, the outfielder is slashing .263/.292/.415 across 352 plate appearances this year with nine homers, 47 RBI, 41 runs scored and 17 stolen bases.