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Andrew Abbott SP | CIN
Reds' Andrew Abbott: Control issues persist in loss
Abbott (5-7) took the loss Saturday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks in five innings. He struck out one.
Lack of control has been an issue for Abbott throughout the year, and the hurler matched a season worst in walks Saturday while tying a season low in punchouts. The southpaw has an alarming 25:19 K:BB over his last six starts (32 innings), but he's still managed to work at least five frames in 16 of his last 17 outings. Abbott is set to take a 3.91 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 95:59 K:BB across 122 innings into a difficult road matchup against the Nationals.
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Braxton Ashcraft SP | PIT
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Five strong innings before delay
Ashcraft (11-4) notched the win Saturday against the Reds, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out five.
Ashcraft likely would have come out for the sixth inning if not for nearly a two-hour rain delay Saturday, as his 69 pitches were a season low amid a strong outing. It was a promising start to the month of August for the All-Star righty, who yielded a staggering 17 earned runs over 19.2 innings for a 7.78 ERA and 1.73 WHIP during July. Ashcraft will take a 3.96 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 140:31 K:BB across 127.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Milwaukee.
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David Peterson SP | CHC
Cubs' David Peterson: Strikes out eight in no-decision
Peterson did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-2 win against the Yankees, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over 6.1 innings.
Despite posting a quality start and tying a season high with eight punchouts, Peterson departed in line for the loss after allowing a solo homer in the seventh inning before the Cubs eventually rallied to take him off the hook. The southpaw has been excellent to open the second half, yielding just three earned runs over three outings with a solid 15:3 K:BB in that span. He'll carry a 5.52 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 101 innings with the Mets and Cubs into a home matchup with the Blue Jays next week.
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Caleb Thielbar RP | CHC
Cubs' Caleb Thielbar: Earns third save
Thielbar earned the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Yankees, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.
With Jacob Webb used in the eighth inning against the heart of the Yankees' order, Thielbar was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and worked around a leadoff single to earn his first save since April 21. The 39-year-old Thielbar owns a 3.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB to go along with seven holds and three saves across 34 innings this season. He shouldn't be counted on as a reliable source of saves going forward with Daniel Palencia (elbow) nearing a rehab assignment.
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Cristopher Sanchez SP | PHI
Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez: Fans 11 in six shutout innings
Sanchez (14-4) earned the win Saturday against the Orioles, allowing no runs on two hits and five walks in six innings. He struck out 11.
Although the five walks matched a season high, Sanchez danced around trouble in a scoreless start and recorded his second-most strikeouts of the season. It was an encouraging beginning to the month of August for the All-Star southpaw, who surrendered 16 earned runs over 21.2 innings during July en route to posting a 6.65 ERA and 1.85 WHIP during the month. Sanchez is set to bring a strong 2.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 168:33 K:BB across 144.2 innings into a tough assignment against an upstart Nationals lineup his next time out.
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Tyrone Taylor LF | CHC
Mets' Tyrone Taylor: Power surge continues Saturday
Taylor went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Marlins.
The veteran outfielder took Tyler Phillips deep in the second inning, but it was all the offense the Mets could muster. Taylor is up to 10 homers on the season, and seven of them have come since his return from a hip injury in late June, including three in the last six games. Over 23 contests since his activation from the IL, Taylor's batting .354 (17-for-48) with 14 runs and 14 RBI as he does his best to improve his market value ahead of the trade deadline.
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Bailey Falter RP | ATL
Braves' Bailey Falter: Dealt to Atlanta
Atlanta acquired Falter and outfielder Lane Thomas from Kansas City on Saturday in exchange for left-hander Carter Holton and right-hander Lucas Braun, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Falter lost his spot on the Royals' 40-man roster in early June after he was lit up for 15 earned runs on 24 hits and six walks over 9.2 innings in five appearances (two starts). He had righted the ship upon clearing waivers and joining the rotation at Triple-A Omaha, where he had submitted a 3.10 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 26:15 K:BB In 29 innings over his last seven outings. Falter won't regain a 40-man roster spot in Atlanta, but he'll bolster the organization's starting depth at the Triple-A level.
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Zach Thornton SP | NYM
Mets' Zac Thornton: Tough day against Miami
Thornton (2-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings as the Mets were downed 6-2 by the Marlins. He struck out two.
The rookie southpaw needed 94 pitches (56 strikes) to record 14 outs in his shortest outing since he returned to the big-league rotation in late June, with the three free passes being a season high in the majors. Over five starts since then, Thornton has delivered a 2.10 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over 30 innings as he establishes himself as a part of the Mets' 2027 rotation plans. He'll look to bounce back in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Pittsburgh.
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Lane Thomas LF | ATL
Braves' Lane Thomas: Heading to Atlanta
Atlanta acquired Thomas and left-hander Bailey Falter from Kansas City on Saturday in exchange for left-hander Carter Holton and right-hander Lucas Braun, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Thomas was removed ahead of the fourth inning of the Royals' game against the Rockies on Saturday, and Passan's report came out a short while later indicating that the veteran outfielder was dealt for the second time in the last three trade deadlines. Though he had been serving as the Royals' primary center fielder since Kyle Isbel (foot) landed on the 10-day injured list in early June, Thomas will likely serve as a fourth outfielder in Atlanta, with most of his opportunities likely to come against right-hander pitching. Thomas entered Saturday with a .230/.325/.392 slash line with 10 home runs and seven stolen bases across 326 plate appearances this season.
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Griffin Conine RF | MIA
Marlins' Griffin Conine: Belts homer No. 10
Conine went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Mets.
Getting the start at DH and batting ninth, Conine took Daniel Duarte deep in the sixth inning for his 10th homer of the season and third in the last six games. Owen Caissie (calf) was activated from the IL on Saturday, giving Conine more competition for playing time, but he's performing well enough to maintain a regular spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching. Over his last 28 games, Conine is batting .313 (25-for-80) with eight long balls, 15 runs and 16 RBI.