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Cristian Javier SP | HOU
Astros' Cristian Javier: Takes loss in bulk relief
Javier (1-5) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
All of the damage against Javier came in a three-run fifth inning, and he threw a strong 57 of 78 pitches for strikes with 13 whiffs. The 29-year-old did manage to keep the ball in the park for the first time in five August contests, but he'll end the month 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA despite a strong 21:4 K:BB over those five outings. He owns a 6.45 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 42:19 K:BB across 44.2 innings this season and lines up for a home matchup with the Diamondbacks next weekend.
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Heriberto Hernandez LF | MIA
Marlins' Heriberto Hernandez: Smacks homer to extend hitting streak
Hernandez went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer during the Marlins' 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Nationals on Saturday.
Hernandez capped off the Marlins' four-run seventh inning in style by belting a two-run home run off Brad Lord. It was the 22nd homer of the season for Hernandez, four of which have come during his current seven-game hitting streak. Over his last 10 games, Hernandez has gone 11-for-38 (.289) with one steal, eight RBI and four extra-base hits.
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Kyle Leahy SP | STL
Cardinals' Kyle Leahy: Another short outing Saturday
Leahy didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Cardinals fell 6-2 to the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over three innings. He struck out three.
The only blemish on the right-hander's line came via a Brandon Lowe solo shot in the first inning. Leahy was limited to 51 pitches (32 strikes) as St. Louis keeps a close eye on his workload, and he hasn't completed five innings in either of his last two starts. Despite a 1.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB in 40 innings since the All-Star break, Leahy's fantasy value will be capped if he isn't allowed to last long enough to qualify for a win. He lines up to make his next start on the road next weekend against the Rockies.
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Nolan McLean SP | NYM
Mets' Nolan McLean: Goes seven strong in win
McLean (10-8) earned the win against the Astros on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.
McLean allowed a run following an error in the first inning but silenced the Astros from there despite throwing just 55 of 93 pitches for strikes with six whiffs. The 25-year-old has been stellar since the All-Star break, posting a 2.05 ERA while logging seven quality starts in eight contests, with the lone exception being a five-run outing that still resulted in a win Aug. 6. He'll carry a 3.06 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 172:61 K:BB across 155.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Giants next weekend.
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Carmen Mlodzinski RP | PIT
Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Collects win in bulk relief Saturday
Mlodzinski (7-6) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one unearned run on one hit over 3.1 innings of relief in a 6-2 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out two without walking a batter.
Lake Bachar got the start for the Pirates and lasted 2.1 innings before turning things over to Evan Sisk, who loaded the bases while recording just one out before getting the hook. Mlodzinski was brought in to shut down the threat and did it on just one pitch, getting Jordan Walker to fly out, and the right-hander was the pitcher of record when Pittsburgh took the lead for good in the fourth inning. It was Mlodzinski's first win since July 11, and over 10 appearances and 28.1 innings since the All-Star break he's stumbled to a 6.35 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB.
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Sandy Alcantara SP | MIA
Marlins' Sandy Alcantara: No-decision against Washington
Alcantara did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three across six innings.
Saturday marked the second time in three games that Alcantara allowed at least eight hits in a start. All the runs he gave up came in the third inning, and the four earned runs he allowed were his most in a start since July 22 against the Astros (five). Alcantara will take a 3.46 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 140:50 K:BB over 189.2 innings into his next start, which is lined up for next week on the road against the Royals.
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Jared Young 1B | NYM
Mets' Jared Young: Drives in three in win
Young went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Astros.
Young drove in a run on a single in the first inning before lacing a two-run triple in the fifth. It was the 31-year-old's third three-hit effort of the campaign, and he's hitting .302 with 17 RBI and 17 runs scored in 36 games since the All-Star break. On the year, he's slashing .272/.332/.447 with eight homers, 35 RBI, 33 runs scored and three steals across 283 plate appearances while primarily being used against right-handed pitchers.
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Andrew Abbott SP | CIN
Reds' Andrew Abbott: Clobbered in 10th loss
Abbott (6-10) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out one.
Abbott was never quite able to get out of the gate Saturday, coughing up three runs in both the first and second innings. The seven runs allowed tied a season worst for the southpaw, who also matched his shortest outing of the year. He'll try to bounce back when he takes a career-worst 4.49 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 115:70 K:BB across 148.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the division-rival Brewers.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Goes deep in loss
Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Mets.
Alvarez produced both of the Astros' runs, opening the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning before adding a solo shot in the eighth. The long ball was just his second in 25 August games, though he still owns a .919 OPS during that stretch. The 29-year-old nears the final month of the regular season eyeing the American League Triple Crown, leading in batting average (.320), homers (37) and RBI (93) to go along with 90 runs scored and a stolen base across 588 plate appearances.
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Kevin Gausman SP | CHC
Cubs' Kevin Gausman: Nabs eighth win
Gausman (8-11) earned the win against the Reds on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out seven.
Gausman didn't have his best stuff Saturday, serving up a pair of two-run home runs on the afternoon, but he received plenty of support on a day the Cubs exploded for 17 runs. The veteran right-hander has been shaky since coming over from Toronto, posting a 5.14 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB in 28 innings for his new club. He'll carry a season 4.52 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 156:43 K:BB over 155.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against Milwaukee.