MLB Player News

Blanco (12-6) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine batters over six innings.

Blanco gave up a second-inning run that tied the score 1-1, but Houston put up six more runs by the end of the third to give the right-hander plenty of padding. He yielded just one more tally -- on a Logan O'Hoppe solo homer -- and notched his second straight quality start (and second consecutive victory). Blanco has emerged as a key part of the Astros' rotation with a 2.88 ERA (fifth among qualified pitchers), 1.10 WHIP and 163:66 K:BB over 162.1 innings, though it's possible he moves to the bullpen once the postseason begins.

Dunning did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

Dunning started in place of Max Scherzer (hamstring) and surrendered two runs in the first inning, including a leadoff homer by Julio Rodriguez. Dunning generated seven whiffs on 81 pitches and departed with the game tied at 2-2 in the fourth frame. On the season, he owns a 5.36 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 90:40 K:BB across 94 total innings as both a starter and reliever.

Hancock (4-4) earned the win against the Rangers on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks with three strikeouts over five innings.

Hancock surrendered a two-run homer to Josh Smith in the third inning but worked four scoreless frames and generated 10 whiffs on 79 pitches. The 25-year-old pitched well considering this was his second consecutive start against Texas, and he now owns a 4.72 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB across 55.1 major-league innings this season. He could finish the regular season in the rotation against the Athletics next weekend, though that hinges on the status of Luis Castillo (hamstring).

Singer (9-12) took the loss against the Giants on Saturday, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Singer surrendered a combined four home runs to LaMonte Wade and Matt Chapman. The 28-year-old has pitched at least five innings in each of his past 10 outings but has tallied just two wins while yielding four or more earned runs five times. On the season, he owns a 3.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 165:51 K:BB across 173.2 innings and lines up to face Atlanta in his final start of the campaign.

Rodriguez (1-7) took the loss against the Rays on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts over four innings.

Rodriguez generated an impressive 12 swinging strikes on 81 pitches but was mostly burned by a two-run homer in the third inning. He has yielded only five earned runs through four September outings, but he has also completed five frames just once in that span. The 27-year-old will carry a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 80:38 K:BB across 81.2 innings into his final matchup of the season against the Marlins next week.

Bradley (7-11) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.

Bradley generated 12 whiffs on 103 pitches and performed well enough to earn his first win since July 25. The 23-year-old has yielded four or more earned runs in six of his past 10 outings but has earned a quality start and a victory in two of his past three. On the season, he owns a 4.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 147:46 K:BB across 132 innings and lines up to face the Red Sox in his final start of the campaign.

Povich did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 loss against the Tigers, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over five innings.

Povich turned in another solid outing Saturday as he continues his strong month of September. The rookie left-hander has a 3.27 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 30 strikeouts in 22 innings this month. Opponents are hitting just .175 against Povich over that stretch, and he'll finish off his regular season with a road start at Minnesota next week.

Olson did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Orioles, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over three innings.

Olson lasted 2.1 innings on 50 pitches in his first start back from a shoulder injury, so he improved upon that by getting through three frames on 58 pitches Saturday. Olson has a 3.49 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 108.1 innings this season. The 25-year-old will wrap up his sophomore season with a home start against the Rays next week.

Crawford and the Red Sox won't face Minnesota on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The two teams will play a doubleheader Sunday and Crawford will get the nod in the nightcap, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. In three starts this month, the 28-year-old righty has given up nine earned runs across 16.2 innings while striking out 21 batters, though he's been saddled with a loss all three times.

Lopez and the Twins won't face the Red Sox on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Saturday's game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday, and Lopez will get the ball to start Game 1, per Helfand. The 28-year-old righty has made a start against the Red Sox once already this season in May, during which he gave up one earned run over six innings while striking out eight batters and collecting a win.