MLB Player News

Houck (9-10) earned the win Monday, allowing one hit and one walk across five scoreless innings against the Blue Jays. He did not record a strikeout.

Houck was efficient Monday, needing just 57 pitches to complete five frames while allowing only two Blue Jays to reach base. It was the first performance this season where Houck, who came into the game recording a career-low 8.0 K/9, did not record a strikeout. The Red Sox have been careful with Houck, who has been held to 60 and 57 pitches over his last two starts since missing two weeks with shoulder fatigue. The righty has performed as Boston's best starter this season, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 154 strikeouts across 178.2 innings and 30 starts. He is in line to make one more turn in the rotation this season at home against Tampa, assuming the Red Sox don't elect to end his campaign a bit early.

Brown (11-9) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Monday.

Brown has six quality starts over his last seven outings, and his eight strikeouts Monday are the most in any one start during that span. Despite his strong pitching over that stretch (2.11 ERA in 42.2 innings), he has a 1-2 record. Brown lowered his ERA for the year to 3.49 with a 1.27 WHIP and now has a career-high 179 strikeouts over 170 innings through 31 outings (30 starts). The right-hander is not projected to make another regular-season start since the Astros are currently using a six-man rotation and have just five games left on the schedule.

Miller (12-8) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Astros on Monday.

While Miller walked multiple batters for the fifth time in his last seven starts, that was about the only complaint anyone could register with this performance. He's rattled off four straight quality starts, though a lack of run support has caused him to win just two of those games. Miller has kept runs off the board in nine of his 31 starts this season, pitching to a 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 171:45 K:BB through 180.1 innings. He's tentatively projected to make one more start at home versus the Athletics in the regular season, though it's possible the Mariners call up a spot starter if they are officially eliminated from playoff contention before Miller's turn comes up again.

Matthews didn't factor in the decision in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Red Sox. He allowed a run on two hits with six strikeouts and two walks over 4.2 innings.

The right-hander kept Boston off the board through four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth. Matthews gave up a two-out double and was pulled at 87 pitches in favor of Cole Irvin, who issued a walk and served up a three-run homer. Matthews has allowed just four runs in his past three starts but has been unable to complete five frames in any of those outings. The 24-year-old is looking for his first win since his making his MLB debut Aug. 13, and his final chance before the end of the regular season will come this weekend versus Baltimore.

Crawford (9-15) earned the win in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Twins. He allowed three runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out seven over 7.2 innings.

Sunday's nightcap started out as a pitchers' duel, as the game remained scoreless until Crawford gave up a pair of runs during the top of the fifth inning. Minnesota's offense came alive in the bottom of the frame and helped the right-hander break a run of six consecutive losses. Crawford recorded an out in the eighth inning for the first time this season, though he was unable to complete the frame and was tagged for another run. The 28-year-old will carry a 4.17 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 169:47 K:BB across 179.1 innings into his final start of the regular season this weekend versus Tampa Bay.

Stripling (back) emerged from Saturday's bullpen session healthy and is slated to face live hitters Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander completed two bullpen sessions over a four-day span without any apparent setbacks, paving the way for the live batting practice Tuesday. If that step is similarly successful, Stripling is expected to be activated at some point before the beginning of the final series of the season Friday against the Mariners in Seattle.

Baz allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six across six innings Sunday against the Blue Jays. He did not factor into the decision.

Baz dominated early and held the Blue Jays without a hit through three innings. His only true trouble came in the fourth when he escaped a bases-loaded jam by allowing only one earned run. There were other positives from the performance, as Baz didn't allow a home run for the first time in his last four starts. He has also allowed only one walk in each of his last three outings and has complied a 16:3 K:BB across 18.1 innings during that span.

Williams allowed a run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out three during the loss to St. Louis.

Williams fired five scoreless innings before the Cardinals finally pushed a run home in the sixth. He broke a three-start losing streak but has now failed to complete six innings in seven of his last eight appearances. During that span, he's produced a 5.35 ERA with a 37:19 K:BB. Williams needed 86 pitches Sunday and generated only four swinging strikes. His season ERA sits at 4.86 with a 79:32 K:BB through 76 innings. Williams' final start of the regular season is projected to be at home against Houston.

Burke did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings.

Burke held his own against a tough Padres lineup with his only mistake being a solo home run by Jurickson Profar in the third inning. Burke generated 15 whiffs on the afternoon and has 16 strikeouts through his first 14 MLB innings. The right-hander should have one more start before the season concludes, which tentatively lines up to come over the weekend against the Tigers.

Suarez (8-7) took the loss Sunday against Detroit, allowing four earned runs on five hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out six.

Suarez served up three solo home runs -- two to Kerry Carpenter and a third to Spencer Torkelson. Even after tossing six innings of one-run ball against Boston back on Sep. 10, Suarez has been highly volatile in September. The 34-year-old veteran owns an ugly 7.23 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 19:7 K:BB in 18.2 innings this month, ballooning his ERA from 3.14 to 3.74. The right-hander will be difficult to trust in his final start of the season, scheduled for next weekend against the Twins.