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Xavier Edwards 2B | MIA
Marlins' Xavier Edwards: Leaves early Saturday
Edwards left Saturday's game against the Padres in the seventh inning with left thumb discomfort, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Edwards was checked out by a trainer after a foul ball during his plate appearance in the top of the seventh, and while he stayed in the game initially, the second baseman was replaced on defense the next half-inning. He just recently returned from a left thumb sprain, and De Nicola speculates Edwards might have aggravated that injury.
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Bryan Baker RP | TB
Rays' Bryan Baker: Bags another win Saturday
Baker (4-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Red Sox, giving up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
The right-hander still leads the majors with 40 saves, but Baker has been the pitcher of record during the Rays' recent spate of walk-off victories as well -- three of his four wins on the season have come in his last four appearances. Through 60.1 innings, Baker's delivered a 1.49 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 62:21 K:BB in a breakout campaign.
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Noah Cameron SP | KC
Royals' Noah Cameron: Allows two homers in no-decision
Cameron did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Pirates, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings.
Cameron threw 65 of 94 pitches for strikes with 12 whiffs but was burned by two-run homers in the second and fourth innings. It marked the first time the 27-year-old had surrendered multiple long balls since July 11, and he's now logged at least five frames in 14 straight outings. He owns a 3.92 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 155:54 K:BB across 172.1 innings this season and lines up to finish his campaign at home against the Guardians next weekend.
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Bubba Chandler SP | PIT
Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Labors in no-decision
Chandler did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Royals, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts over four innings.
Chandler entered the fifth inning with a 4-1 lead but allowed the first two batters he faced to reach, departing at 90 pitches before both inherited runners ultimately came around to score. It marked just the third time in 11 second-half starts that the 24-year-old was unable to complete at least five frames, though he's now yielded a homer in four straight outings. He owns a 4.34 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 138:76 K:BB across 151.1 innings and will close out his full year in the majors in Detroit next weekend.
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Mason Montgomery RP | PIT
Pirates' Mason Montgomery: Secures 15th save
Montgomery earned the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Royals, allowing no hits and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Montgomery was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff walk to close things out. It continues a ridiculous second half for the 26-year-old, who's yielded just two earned runs in 28 appearances while converting all 14 of his save opportunities since the All-Star break. On the season, he has 15 saves and nine holds to go along with a 2.63 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 98:26 K:BB across 65 innings.
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Freddy Peralta SP | TB
Rays' Freddy Peralta: Sharp in Saturday's no-decision
Peralta didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
The former Brewer and Met fell just short of his ninth quality start of the season, getting lifted after 97 pitches (59 strikes), and Peralta continues to turn his season around since joining the Rays and making some mechanical tweaks to his delivery. Over his last five starts, he's produced a 0.94 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB in 28.2 innings while going 4-0. Peralta is set to make his final start of the regular season on the road next weekend in Philadelphia.
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Ronald Acuna Jr. RF | ATL
Braves' Ronald Acuna: Drills clutch grand slam
Acuna went 2-for-3 with a grand slam and two walks Saturday in a 6-3 win over the Astros.
Acuna delivered a clutch go-ahead blast in the seventh inning for his fourth career grand slam. The star outfielder has been sizzling at the dish in the month of September, hitting .343 with seven homers, five doubles and 19 RBI over 70 at-bats. Through 450 plate appearances this year, Acuna is slashing a healthy .259/.351/.464 with 20 long balls, 55 RBI, 20 stolen bases and 60 runs scored.
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Brayan Bello RP | BOS
Red Sox's Brayan Bello: Ties career high with 11 strikeouts
Bello didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Rays, allowing one run on five hits over eight innings. He struck out 11 without walking a batter.
The right-hander did everything he could to try and help Boston clinch a playoff spot, tying his career high with 11 Ks while firing 65 of 93 pitches for strikes. Bello has been impressive since returning to the big-league staff just before the All-Star break, as he's delivered a 2.28 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 46:11 K:BB over his last 51.1 innings and 13 appearances (two starts). He lines up to make one more appearance in the regular season, at home next weekend against the Cubs, and another strong showing could earn Bello a prominent spot in the Red Sox's postseason plans.
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Matthew Boyd SP | CHC
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Limited workload in win
Boyd (9-5) earned the win against the Reds on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.
Boyd opened with four scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the fifth. The southpaw generated 11 swinging strikes and departed at only 71 pitches, his lowest total since he struggled in his very first outing of the campaign. He owns a 4.06 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 93:37 K:BB across 119.2 innings this year and will make his final start of the regular season at Boston next weekend.
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Raisel Iglesias RP | ATL
Braves' Raisel Iglesias: Locks down 34th save
Iglesias struck out one in a clean ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against Houston.
Iglesias submitted his third consecutive perfect outing Saturday. The veteran closer has given up just one earned run in his last 12 appearances, converting all nine of his save opportunities over that span. On the season, he sports a 2.64 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 61:17 K:BB with 34 saves (37 chances) across 58 frames.