Skip to Main Content

MLB Player News

  • Jose Urquidy RP | PHI

    Astros' Jose Urquidy: Goes 4.1 strong innings in Game 2

    Urquidy allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Wednesday in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.

    Once again, manager Dusty Baker made a relatively early move to the bullpen -- Zack Greinke was pulled after allowing one run over four innings Tuesday. Once again, the move worked as the trio of Brooks Raley, Cristian Javier and Ryan Pressly combined to shut the Twins out the rest of the way. With that, Houston secured a spot in the ALDS. Urquidy figures to start Game 3 or 4 next week.

  • Jose Berrios SP | TOR

    Twins' Jose Berrios: Allows one run in no-decision

    Berrios allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision against the Astros on Wednesday in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.

    The Twins were eliminated from the playoffs with a 3-1 loss, but the blame doesn't fall on Berrios, who was spotless outside of the fourth inning. Berrios' ERA reached an even 4.00 during the regular season after three straight years in the high-3.00s. His average fastball velocity was up a fair amount, fueling a small jump in strikeout rate. Unfortunately, there was an even greater uptick in walks and some are left wondering if there is a next level to Berrios' game.

  • Jose Urquidy RP | PHI

    Astros' Jose Urquidy: Gets Game 2 nod

    Urquidy is starting Game 2 on Wednesday against the Twins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

    The Astros will look to close out the first-round series against Minnesota on the back of the 25-year-old righty. He missed a large chunk of this season due to COVID-19 and logged a 2.73 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 29.2 innings (five starts). Urquidy has gone at least six innings in each of his last three starts. Cristian Javier will be available to log multiple innings behind Urquidy.

  • Gerrit Cole SP | NYY

    Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Dominates in victory

    Cole allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings Tuesday in a win over the Indians in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round. He struck out 13 and did not issue a walk.

    Cole outdueled Shane Bieber in a game where everyone expected a pitchers' duel, lasting seven innings. The Yankees' ace threw 73 of his 105 pitches for strikes, fanning an impressive 13 batters. The right-hander recorded a 2.84 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 3.89 FIP during the regular season. The 30-year-old's next chance at taking the mound would be if the Yankees advance to the AL Division Series.

  • Shane Bieber SP | TOR

    Indians' Shane Bieber: Fans seven in loss

    Bieber allowed seven runs across 4.2 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round. He allowed nine hits and two walks while striking out seven.

    Bieber had not allowed more than three earned runs in any start during the regular season. The 25-year-old threw 62 of his 105 pitches for strikes but the Yankees were successful in driving up his pitch count, resulting in his shortest start in 2020. The right-hander's next chance at taking the mound would be if the Indians can advance to the AL Division Series.

  • Blake Snell SP | LAD

    Rays' Blake Snell: Fans nine in win

    Snell fired 5.2 scoreless innings Tuesday as he earned the win against the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out nine.

    Snell cruised in his 5.2 innings of work, refusing to allow a runner to reach second base. The 27-year-old lefty threw 48 of his 82 pitches for strikes as he left the Jays guessing all night. After recording a 3.24 ERA in the regular season, the southpaw will look to carry his dominance into his next start, which would be in the ALDS if the Rays advance.

  • Jesus Luzardo SP | PHI

    Athletics' Jesus Luzardo: Allows two homers in Game 1 loss

    Luzardo took the loss to the White Sox on Tuesday in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, allowing three runs on six hits over 3.1 innings. He struck out five and did not issue a walk.

    The lefty has a bright future ahead of him, but Tuesday was not his day. Adam Engel, who managed just three homers during the regular season, took Luzardo deep before MVP candidate Jose Abreu followed up with a two-run shot in the third inning. Luzardo could get a chance to redeem himself if the A's are able to rally in this short, best-of-three series.

  • White Sox's Lucas Giolito: Carries Chicago to Game 1 win

    Giolito earned the win Tuesday against the A's in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings.

    This can probably be considered Giolito's final ascent to true acedom. He was perfect through six innings, and as Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times notes, Giolito leaned heavily on his slider (26 sliders), more than he had in any prior start this season. Giolito will start Game 1 of the Division Series should the White Sox advance.

  • Framber Valdez SP | DET

    Astros' Framber Valdez: Shines in Game 1

    Valdez was credited with the win in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Astros and Twins. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five over five scoreless innings in relief of Zack Greinke.

    Valdez had a breakout regular season and ended up being the story of the wild-card opener. Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Valdez became the first relief pitcher to throw five scoreless innings in a playoff game since Madison Bumgarner in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series. This takes the lefty out of the mix to start during the first round, but should the Astros advance, Valdez will likely start Game 1 or 2 of the best-of-five AL Division Series.

  • Zack Greinke SP | KC

    Astros' Zack Greinke: Four innings in wild-card opener

    Greinke allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out one batter over four innings in a no-decision against the Twins in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series.

    Manager Dusty Baker gave Greinke the short hook (79 pitches) after Greinke stumbled to a 6.07 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in his final five starts of the regular season. The move worked, as Framber Valdez shined in long relief, shutting the Twins out the rest of the way en route to a 4-1 Game 1 victory. The Division Series is best-of-five, and it seems likely Greinke and Valdez will each make a start of their own should the Astros advance.

Around the Web Promoted by Taboola