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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Homers in win
Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.
Stephenson gave the Reds some needed insurance with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old has gone just 7-for-34 in September but has managed to go deep three times with 12 RBI during that stretch. For the season, he's slashing .224/.310/.409 with 12 home runs, 48 RBI and 38 runs scored across 326 plate appearances.
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TJ Friedl CF | CIN
Reds' TJ Friedl: Goes deep in win
Friedl went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.
Friedl singled and scored in the third inning before doubling the Reds' lead with a solo blast in the seventh. It was a welcome showing for the 30-year-old, who had gone just 4-for-33 since his last homer Sept. 8. On the year, he's slashing .259/.362/.373 with 13 homers, 50 RBI, 79 runs scored and 12 steals across 653 plate appearances.
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Joey Wentz SP | ATL
Braves' Joey Wentz: Fans seven in no-decision
Wentz came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Tigers, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
The southpaw left the mound after 84 pitches (55 strikes) in line for his sixth win, but the bullpen let the lead slip away before Atlanta's offense rallied late. Wentz's performances have been erratic since joining the rotation, and over his last eight starts he's failed to complete five innings four times, leading to a 5.64 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB through 36.2 innings during that span. He's scheduled to take the bump one more time in 2025, at home next weekend against the Pirates.
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Shane Bieber SP | TOR
Blue Jays' Shane Bieber: Saddled with second loss
Bieber (3-2) conceded two runs on four hits and one walk over 6.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against Kansas City. He struck out four.
The Toronto right-hander picked up his second consecutive quality start, as both runs he yielded came on back-to-back solo homers by Bobby Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth inning. The one-time Cy Young Award winner has been splendid in his 35.1 total innings, pitching to a 3.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 34:5 K:BB. Bieber is tentatively slated to make his final start of the season at home against the Red Sox next week; however, that could change if the Blue Jays shuffle around their rotation in preparation for the playoffs.
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Noah Cameron SP | KC
Royals' Noah Cameron: Tallies ninth win
Cameron (9-7) earned the win in Saturday's contest against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6.2 innings with five strikeouts.
The rookie southpaw reached the double-digit mark in quality starts, as he looked sharp in this 98-pitch performance while generating a respectable 12 whiffs. The only blemish on his line was a 437-foot solo homer given up to Daulton Varsho in the seventh, which chased Cameron from the game. The Central Arkansas product has been a steady fantasy contributor in the second half, putting up a 3.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 50:17 K:BB across 63.2 frames since the All-Star break. Cameron will look to continue his recent success in his next start, which is currently scheduled to come on the road against the Athletics next weekend.
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Earns 29th save
Pagan earned the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cubs, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Pagan was called on to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and needed just 13 pitches to secure his second save in as many days. Since blowing a save to open the month Sept. 1, the 34-year-old has converted three straight opportunities while allowing only one earned run over his past eight outings. For the season, he's 29-for-35 in save chances with a 3.06 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 78:21 K:BB across 64.2 innings.
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Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Swats 23rd long ball
Witt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays.
The Royals star opened the game's scoring with a 422-foot solo shot off Toronto starter Shane Bieber in the fourth. In 53 games since the All-Star break, Witt has been a dependable source of both power and speed, batting .291 (61-for-209) with nine homers and 12 steals. Overall, the 25-year-old shortstop his now slashing .293/.352/.503 with 96 runs scored and 82 RBI across 654 plate appearances.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Secures 41st save
Estevez allowed one hit and no walks in a scoreless frame with no strikeouts to earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win against Toronto.
The Kansas City closer required only 13 pitches to notch his league-leading 41st save. Estevez has blown only one save in the second half -- his first appearance post-All-Star break July 18 -- as he's pitched to a 1.98 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB in 22.2 innings while converting 15 saves since then. Overall, the 32-year-old righty sports a 2.49 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 52:22 K:BB across 65 frames.
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Javier Assad RP | CHC
Cubs' Javier Assad: Goes four frames in no-decision
Assad did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts over two innings.
Assad managed just 43 strikes on 74 pitches and generated only four whiffs in his first start since Sept. 5. The 28-year-old has logged a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 31.2 innings through seven appearances (six starts) this season. If the Cubs elect to give him another turn in the rotation, he's lined up for a home matchup with the Cardinals next weekend.
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William Contreras C | MIL
Brewers' William Contreras: Exits Saturday's game
Contreras exited Saturday's game against the Cardinals due to a hand injury,Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Contreras was hit on the hand by a swing in the seventh inning, and he was replaced by Danny Jansen as the Brewers took the field for the eighth frame. The severity of the issue is unclear, though the team is likely to play it safe given its current status in the standings.