MLB Player News

Buehler (14-4) took the loss against Cincinnati on Friday, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five.

Though the right-hander earned his MLB-leading 26th quality start, he was outdueled by opposing starter Luis Castillo and didn't appear to have his best stuff. Buehler held the Reds scoreless for four frames but was touched up for a run in the fifth and two in the sixth before departing. His numbers on the campaign still hold up to the best hurlers in the league -- Buehler has a 2.39 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 194:49 K:BB across 192 innings -- but he has faded a bit of late, posting a 6.19 ERA and losing twice in three September starts. He'll look to get back on track next week in a start against Colorado.

Houser allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings Friday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Houser kept the Cubs off the scoreboard until the fourth, when the North Siders piled on four runs in the inning. Houser came back out for the fifth and allowed a leadoff home run to Frank Schwindel and then walked Ian Happ before his day was officially over. The 28-year-old had one of his worst outings of the year and was luckily saved by some late-game offense from his team. Houser now owns a 3.43 ERA 1.29 WHIP, and 101:60 K:BB over 131.1 innings. Houser has only taken one loss in his last 17 appearances.

Ashby (3-0) allowed no runs on three hits and struck out five over three innings to pick up the win over the Cubs on Friday.

Ashby entered to begin the sixth with the Brewers down a run and kept his squad in the game by firing three scoreless innings. The Brewers would end up scoring four runs in the eighth, awarding Ashby his third win since Aug. 29. The 23-year-old was knocked around for four runs by the Cubs in his MLB debut but since then has a 1.42 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB over 25.1 innings. He's made four starts this year but also remains a long-relief option if needed.

Lorenzen got the save on Friday night against the Dodgers despite allowing a run on a hit while also hitting a batter.

Mychal Givens had pitched the previous two days, so the Reds turned to Lorenzen on Friday night. This was Lorenzen's fourth save since returning from his second IL stint, but his first since August 22. He's the secondary option whenever Givens is down.

Davies allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings Friday against the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.

Davies held the Brewers off the board for three innings but was unable to contain them after that. The 28-year-old allowed five straight batters to reach to kick off the fourth, resulting in three runs for the opponents. He then allowed three of the first four hitters he faced in the fifth to reach before being pulled with the bases loaded and one out. One more run would come in to score that would be charged to Davies. The right-hander allowed 15 earned runs over his last three starts and has not seen the sixth inning since Aug. 20. He now sits at a 5.49 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 112:73 K:BB over 146 innings this season and leads all qualified pitchers in walks.

Castillo (8-15) came up huge against the Dodgers on Friday night, shutting them out over 6.1 innings. He struck out 10 in the game while giving up five hits and issuing two walks.

The fact that Castillo did this against the Dodgers, and with the Dodgers having Walker Buehler on the mound, makes this outing even more impressive. Castillo's ERA dropped to 4.08 on the season with this outing. He'll have a chance to bring that mark below 4.00 in his next outing.

Anderson gave up four earned runs over 5.2 innings and did not factor into the decision Friday against the Giants. He allowed five hits, struck out seven and walked two in the contest.

Anderson didn't have his best stuff Friday and he also had issues with the long ball, serving up a season-worst three homers. However, both starters struggled and this allowed the right-hander to escape with a no-decision. Anderson has made four starts since Aug. 29 and owns a 4.66 ERA and a 16:10 K:BB across 19.1 innings over that span.

Mikolas (1-2) picked up the win over San Diego on Friday, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and two walks while striking out three.

The Padres managed only one extra-base hit against Mikolas and were unable to get to him for any runs. The right-hander lasted a season-high 5.2 frames and fell one out shy of his first quality start of the campaign. Mikolas isn't much of a fantasy asset thanks to his low strikeout total (21 in 32 innings) and uninspiring ERA (4.50), but he could be a major factor down the stretch for a Cardinals club that currently holds a one-game lead for the second National League wild-card spot. Mikolas' next chance to contribute will likely come next week at Milwaukee.

Velasquez (3-7) suffered the loss against St. Louis on Friday, allowing four runs on four hits and no walks while striking out four over four innings.

The veteran hurler was called up to the big club earlier Friday after signing with San Diego on Wednesday. He gave up three runs -- including two on a Tyler O'Neill home run -- in his first inning of work and served up a solo shot to Dylan Carlson in the fourth. There was some rust to be expected as Velasquez's start was his first in the majors since July 30, but it was nonetheless a disappointing debut given San Diego's slipping grasp on a playoff spot. Velasquez figures to get another start with Blake Snell (groin) currently on the injured list, and he's lined up to face San Francisco at home next week.

Gray allowed five runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings during a no-decision versus Colorado on Friday.

Control continues to be a problem for Gray, who threw 58 of 94 pitches for strikes in this contest. He's walked 10 batters in 10.1 innings across his last two starts. The 23-year-old owns a 6.24 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB in 53.1 innings overall, while adding an 0-2 record in 11 appearances. Gray projects for a friendlier road start in Miami next week.