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Matthew Boyd SP | CHC
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Earns quality start in win
Boyd (10-5) picked up the win after allowing one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings against the Marlins on Thursday. He struck out three.
In his final start of the campaign, Boyd tied his season high with seven innings pitched, which he previously accomplished four times this year. The southpaw allowed just one run on a Jakob Marsee RBI single in the third inning as he secured a second straight victory. The 35-year-old will end the year with a 3.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 96:39 K:BB over 126.2 innings.
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Tyler Phillips SP | MIA
Marlins' Tyler Phillips: Throws four scoreless innings
Phillips did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Cubs, allowing no runs on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out two.
Phillips recorded his second consecutive scoreless outing Thursday against Chicago. The 28-year-old righty has posted solid numbers over his last seven games with a 2.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB over 28 innings. Assuming this is Phillips' final appearance of the campaign, he'll finish 2026 with a 5-6 record, 3.34 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 101:56 K:BB over 126.2 innings.
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Kyle Leahy SP | STL
Cardinals' Kyle Leahy: Covers two frames in no-decision
Leahy didn't factor in the decision Thursday at Pittsburgh after giving up a run on three hits and no walks over two innings. He struck out three.
It was another short start down the stretch for the right-hander as the Cardinals managed his workload to close out his first season as a big-league starter. Leahy lasted fewer than five frames in his final six starts of the year, but he still finished with a 10-5 record with a 3.66 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 132:41 K:BB across 140 innings. That innings total is the 29-year-old's largest since 2022 in the minors -- his last season as a full-time starter -- and should set him up nicely to be a key rotation piece and avoid workload limitations late in the 2027 campaign.
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Paul Skenes SP | PIT
Pirates' Paul Skenes: Reaches 200 Ks for 2026
Skenes did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Cardinals. He struck out eight.
After surrendering five runs during his previous start against Kansas City, Skenes bounced back Thursday in his final outing of the campaign. The right-hander surrendered a first-inning homer to Alec Burleson but locked in from there, allowing just four more baserunners to reach. His strikeout of Leo Bernal to begin the seventh inning was his 200th of the season and signaled an end to his afternoon at 96 pitches. Skenes closes out an up-and-down campaign with a 10-11 record and a 3.82 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 174.1 innings covering 32 starts.
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Martin Perez SP | ATL
Braves' Martin Perez: Lands on injured list
Atlanta placed Perez on the 15-day injured list Thursday with lower-back inflammation, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.
Perez battled control issues during his last start Sunday against Houston, and his back injury may help to explain his struggles. His move to the injured list will rule him out through the beginning of the NLDS, and he'll close the book on the regular season with a 3.04 ERA and 1.27 WHIP alongside a 102:62 K:BB over 142 innings.
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Jesus Luzardo SP | PHI
Phillies' Jesus Luzardo: Resumes mound work
Luzardo (shoulder) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Luzardo is barely over a week removed from being placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation, but he's bounced back quickly from the injury. The left-hander could face hitters this weekend and remains in play to be included on the Phillies' National League Wild Card Series roster, either as a starter or reliever. Luzardo went 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA and 221:52 K:BB over 178.2 innings covering 29 regular-season starts in 2026.
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Blade Tidwell SP | SF
Giants' Blade Tidwell: Moves to 60-day IL
The Giants transferred Tidwell (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Tidwell is likely to require Tommy John surgery after suffering a high-grade UCL sprain during his last outing Monday, so the Giants will stash him away on the 60-day IL for the rest of the season. His 40-man roster spot will go to Camilo Doval, who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on Thursday.
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Justin Steele SP | CHC
Cubs' Justin Steele: Will not be activated this weekend
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that the team doesn't plan to activate Steele (elbow) from the 60-day injured list this weekend, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Steele began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa earlier this month and has allowed six runs (four earned) with an 11:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings covering four appearances. The left-hander is available to pitch for the Cubs, if needed, but the team has decided there's currently not room for him on the active roster. Steele has been sidelined all season, first as he continued his recovery from UCL revision surgery and later due to a flexor strain.
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Sandy Alcantara SP | MIA
Marlins' Sandy Alcantara: Won't make start this weekend
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Thursday that Alcantara will not make a start this weekend against Atlanta, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.
Alcantara had been penciled in to take the ball Saturday in the Marlins' final regular-season series, but the club has decided against having the righty make another start. The right-hander has notched two saves over the past week, as the Marlins have used him in relief on his throw days, and Alcantara will be available out of the bullpen this weekend. Alcantara has logged a league-high 213 innings this season and tied a career high with 33 starts.
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Kevin Gausman SP | CHC
Cubs' Kevin Gausman: Left shoulder remains sore
Gausman said Thursday that his left shoulder remains sore and he's uncertain when he will be available to pitch, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Gausman injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder during Wednesday's start against the Marlins when his arm was extended awkwardly as he dove to tag a runner out. He will have five days of rest before Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, and he could be the Cubs' choice to start that day if he's physically able. More should be known about Gausman's health status by this weekend.