-
Parker Messick SP | CLE
Guardians' Parker Messick: Dazzles in first big-league win
Messick (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Rays, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.
Making his second career MLB start, Messick baffled Tampa Bay over 98 pitches (66 total strikes) and generated an eye-popping 36 called or swinging strikes. The 24-year-old southpaw has produced back-to-back quality starts to begin his career, giving up just one run with a 12:1 K:BB in 13.2 innings, and while John Means (elbow) is closing in on his Cleveland debut, it's hard to imagine Messick being removed from the rotation given his performance so far. His next start is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Boston.
-
Michael Lorenzen RP | TOR
Royals' Michael Lorenzen: Allows four runs
Lorenzen allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings Tuesday against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.
The only loud contact allowed was a solo home run off the bat of Colson Montgomery in the second inning. Lorenzen was otherwise able to cruise through five frames but couldn't record an out after coming back out for the sixth, leading to three more runs charged against him. Lorenzen has now allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 16 hits over his last two starts, though he has racked up six strikeouts on both occasions, which is one below his season high. Lorenzen has just one win over his last eight starts and will look to change that next week against the Angels.
-
Shane Baz SP | BAL
Rays' Shane Baz: Stuck with loss in quality start
Baz (8-11) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over six innings as the Rays fell 3-0 to the Guardians. He struck out seven.
The right-hander produced his first quality start since July 12 on 92 pitches (62 strikes), but Baz got no run support to remain winless over his last 10 trips to the mound. During that span, he's gone 0-8 with a 6.58 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB over 53.1 innings. Baz will try to get back in the win column in his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Mariners.
-
Sandy Alcantara SP | MIA
Marlins' Sandy Alcantara: Settles for no-decision Tuesday
Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 11-2 loss to Atlanta, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out seven.
The right-hander produced his third straight quality start and racked up 34 called or swinging strikes among his 104 pitches (72 total strikes), but Alcantara left the mound with the score tied 2-2 and watched the Marlins' bullpen implode in the ninth inning. Over those three outings he's regained his Cy Young form, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 20 innings. If he keeps delivering results like that through September, Miami might be able to get the kind of trade package for him over the winter that the team couldn't find at this year's deadline. Alcantara will look to stay focused in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road this weekend against the Mets.
-
Ozzie Albies 2B | ATL
Braves' Ozzie Albies: Goes yard twice in rout
Albies went 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs and four RBI in Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Marlins.
The second baseman gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning with a solo shot off Sandy Alcantara, and then helped power a nine-run eruption in the ninth by taking Josh Simpson deep for a three-run blast. It was Albies' first multi-homer performance since April 2023, but his bat has come to life in August -- over the last 16 games, he's slashing .294/.304/.500 with five doubles, three home runs, one steal, 10 runs and 10 RBI.
-
David Hamilton 3B | MIL
Red Sox's David Hamilton: Enjoying good run
Hamilton went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Orioles.
Hamilton's having a productive run since his recall from Triple-A Worcester last week. He's gone 6-for-15 with three extra-base hits, two walks, one steal, three RBI and five runs scored over four games. Hamilton started four of the last six games at second base, all against right-handed pitching. He should maintain a semi-regular role while Wilyer Abreu (calf) remains sidelined. Abreu's injury has resulted in Ceddanne Rafaela getting more time in the outfield than at second base.
-
Troy Melton SP | DET
Tigers' Troy Melton: Continues to shine in bullpen
Melton tossed three scoreless innings of relief in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Athletics. He allowed a hit and struck out one.
Melton has been a positive addition to the Detroit bullpen as a rookie. Across five appearances and 10.2 innings, he's posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. Melton has also made three starts for the Tigers. His first one was a struggle, as he allowed six runs over five innings, but the 24-year-old allowed no runs across 12 innings in his other two starts. While the long-relief role decreases his fantasy value, Melton has become a valuable pitcher for Detroit, and he'd get a boost if he were to re-enter the rotation at some point.
-
Hurston Waldrep SP | ATL
Braves' Hurston Waldrep: Stingy in no-decision
Waldrep came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk over 5.1 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.
The rookie right-hander didn't have his best stuff, managing only three swinging strikes among his 88 pitches (52 total strikes), but Waldrep battled through after giving up an RBI single to Jakob Marsee just two batters into the game. He left the mound in line for a win, but Dylan Lee gave up the tying run in the seventh inning, setting the stage for a nine-run ninth by the Atlanta offense. Through five appearances (four starts) this season, Waldrep sports a dazzling 0.90 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB through 30 innings with a 4-0 record. He faces a tough test in his next outing, which is set to come early next week on the road against the Cubs.
-
Zach McKinstry RF | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Reaches three times in loss
McKinstry went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Athletics.
McKinstry has been on a nice run lately, as he's batting .323 over his last 10 games with a home run, two stolen bases, four RBI and five runs scored. The veteran utility player has had a strong year overall, slashing .265/.342/.448 across 120 contests. It's been a big offensive jump for McKinstry, who has a career slash line of just .232/.300/.381 in six MLB seasons.
-
Kyle Bradish SP | BAL
Orioles' Kyle Bradish: Fans 10 in return to rotation
Bradish (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Orioles were downed 5-0 by the Red Sox, giving up two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out 10 without walking a batter.
The 28-year-old righty staged an impressive return from elbow surgery, as Bradish racked up 15 swinging strikes among his 81 pitches (51 total strikes). He served up solo shots to Trevor Story and David Hamilton, but a lack of run support more than anything spoiled Bradish's 2025 debut. Bradish will look for a better result in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in San Diego.