MLB Player News

Pomeranz gave up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings Saturday against the Astros en route to picking up his 17th win of the season.

The Red Sox clinched the AL East title with this win, so Chris Sale will not pitch Sunday and will instead take the ball for Game 1 of the ALDS. This sets up Pomeranz to start Game 2 against the Astros. He finished the regular season with a 3.32 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 173.2 innings.

Garton has a 1.59 ERA, 0.44 WHIP, .103 BAA and .141 wOBA allowed over 11.1 innings across 12 appearances since joining the Mariners on Sept. 1.

The right-hander was traded to Seattle from the Rays on Aug. 6 and struggled upon arriving at Triple-A Tacoma, posting a 6.00 ERA over 12 innings. However, Garton has turned it around at the big-league level. His performance has been a notable improvement over his only other major-league stint, when he generated a 4.35 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with the Rays over 37 appearances in 2016.

Moll struck out one and gave up one earned run on three hits over 1.1 innings in a 5-3 loss to the Rangers on Friday.

The 25-year-old southpaw's rough introduction to the big leagues continues, as he's now given up at least one earned run in four of his last five appearances. Moll does have three holds to his credit, but he also sports an unsightly 10.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP across the six innings encompassing his 10 appearances.

Boxberger (4-4) picked up the win in Friday's 7-0 victory over the Orioles, firing a scoreless fifth inning in which he recorded a strikeout.

The hard-throwing reliever now has six straight scoreless efforts and is closing out the season on a high note. Factoring in Friday's outing, Boxberger's ERA for the month is down to 1.08, as he's allowed just one earned run in 8.1 innings across eight September appearances.

Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Astros in a non-save situation.

The star closer hadn't pitched in a game for five days, so the Red Sox opted to use him in an effort to keep the team just one run behind. Kimbrel did need 15 pitches (11 strikes) to complete the frame, but it likely won't jeopardize his availability for Saturday's contest if a save situation arises. He now holds a 1.32 ERA and an absurd 16.3 K/9 on the season to go with his 35 saves.

Giles allowed one hit over a scoreless ninth inning to record his 34th save in Friday's 3-2 win over Boston.

Giles has wobbled as the calendar reached September. He's allowed baserunners in each of his last six outings and has a .262 batting-average-against -- his worst monthly mark this season -- in September. But in a results-oriented role, he's converted seven of eight save opportunities.

McHugh will start the final game of the regular season Sunday in Boston, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McHugh, who has a 3.45 ERA over 11 starts, will be vying for a spot in the postseason rotation. The right-hander missed some time due to a fingernail avulsion, but has come back to pitch relatively well in two starts. The problem is that Brad Peacock and Charlie Morton haven't slowed down, and they look like the best options to be the third and fourth starters after Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel in the postseason.

Belisle struck out two in a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save Friday against Detroit.

Belisle has blown two saves in his 17 games as Twins closer since the Brandon Kintzler trade. A solid 17:3 K:BB supports his 2.70 ERA, and he has been solid enough in a new role for the Twins to trust him as closer as they head into the playoffs. With Minnesota clinching a postseason berth Friday night, it wouldn't be surprising if he rests the last two regular-season contests to stay fresh for the upcoming wild-card game.

Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record his 21st save of the season during Friday's win over Toronto.

After Dellin Betances allowed a hit and walk to start the ninth inning, manager Joe Girardi called upon Chapman to finish off the Blue Jays. Chapman has now thrown 11 scoreless innings over his past 10 outings while converting five saves and striking out 16 batters during that stretch. He is entering the postseason in prime form.

Pomeranz may not make his scheduled start Saturday if the Red Sox clinch the AL East on Friday night, Ian Browne of MLB.com suggests.

Manager John Farrell did not explicitly say that Pomeranz would be scratched from Saturday's start if the Red Sox win Friday, but it would make sense if that decision was made in that scenario, particularly with Pomeranz not having his typical velocity his last time out. A final call on Pomeranz's status will be made either after Friday's contest or at some point Saturday morning.