MLB Player News

Burns (14-2) picked up the win Friday, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Marlins. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

Matched up against Sandy Alcantara in a duel of the team's respective aces that lived up to its billing, Burns rose to the occasion and fired 62 of 93 pitches for strikes while not even allowing a runner to get into scoring position until the seventh inning, when Otto Lopez led off the frame with a single and stole second base before being stranded. The quality start was Burns' 11th of the year, and his 14 wins have him tied for second in the majors with Boston's Sonny Gray, one back of Philly's Cristopher Sanchez. Burns will look to stay locked in for his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Cardinals.

Alcantara (13-7) took the loss Friday as the Marlins were downed 1-0 by the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over seven innings. He struck out out.

The veteran right-hander didn't have his best stuff or best command, but Alcantara still put together his fourth straight quality start and MLB-leading 19th of the season on 103 pitches (67 strikes), only to have Chase Burns be just a little bit stingier opposite him. Alcantara was also a little unlucky -- he saw his scoreless streak end at 25.2 innings when Eugenio Suarez dumped a ball into left field that Heriberto Hernandez badly misplayed, allowing Tyler Stephenson to lumber home from first base as the ball rolled to the warning track on what was officially ruled a double. Alcantara has become a throwback workhorse of late, lasting at least seven innings in six of eight starts since the beginning of July while compiling a 1.80 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB through 55 frames. He'll look to get more offensive support in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

Liberatore (5-10) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.1 innings as the Cardinals fell 3-0 to the Cubs. He struck out six.

The 26-year-old southpaw put together one of his better performances of the season while tossing 58 of 95 pitches for strikes, but the St. Louis offense got completely shut down as Clay Holmes took a perfect game into the sixth inning. Liberatore hasn't gotten into the win column since before the All-Star break, going 0-4 over his last five starts with a 5.33 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB in 25.1 innings. He'll try to snap that streak in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Cincinnati.

Holmes (5-5) tossed 6.2 scoreless innings to earn the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.

Holmes' second start with the Cubs was much better than his first -- he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings in his team debut. The righty dazzled Friday and retired the first 16 batters he faced before Jose Fermin dumped a soft single into right field in the sixth inning to break up the potential perfect game. While Holmes has just 49 strikeouts in 63.1 innings this year, he's still has been effective with a 2.56 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, and he should get more run support than he got with the Mets now that he's backed by a strong Chicago lineup. He'll look to keep things rolling in his next outing, which is currently lined up for Wednesday against the cross-town rival White Sox.

Roupp (7-12) allowed four runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out five over 5.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Rockies.

Roupp threw just 57 of 91 pitches for strikes in this outing, which was his fourth straight loss. He's been competitive in just one of those games while allowing a total of 14 runs over his last 19.1 innings with a 15:15 K:BB in that span. Overall, Roupp is at a 4.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 128:60 K:BB through 129.1 innings over 24 starts. While his performance is fading, the Giants lack better options to fill in as part of the rotation, so expect Roupp to make his next projected start at Cleveland.

Freeland (4-10) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out two over eight innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.

Freeland threw 66 of 95 pitches for strikes to get back in the win column. He's won two of his three starts in August, allowing just five runs (three earned) over 21.1 innings with a 13:6 K:BB in that span. Freeland has had a largely unimpressive season, but he's shown an ability to cover heavy innings on some occasions with seven starts of at least six frames. He's at a 6.27 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 98:27 K:BB through 120.2 innings over 22 starts this season. Freeland is lined up to make his next start at home versus the Dodgers, which will be a challenging matchup. He has allowed 14 runs over nine innings in two previous starts versus the Dodgers this season, both of which were in Los Angeles rather than Colorado.

Yamamoto (12-7) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings to earn the win over the Brewers on Friday.

Yamamoto was able to pick up his fourth quality start in five outings since the All-Star break, and his nine strikeouts were his most in any game in that span. The star right-hander limited the damage to a Joey Ortiz sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Yamamoto is now at a 2.60 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 136:34 K:BB through 145.1 innings over 22 starts this season. His next outing is projected to be at home versus the Pirates.

Gasser (3-5) allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out seven over 6.1 innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Gasser posted a quality start, but he was also tagged for solo home runs by Andy Pages and Tommy Edman. This marks the first time Gasser has allowed a long ball in his last four starts, and he's given up just nine runs over 22 innings in that span. For the season, he's posted a 4.54 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 68:19 K:BB through 73.1 innings over 14 starts. He's projected to make his next start in another tough matchup at home versus Atlanta next week.

Stock didnt factor into the decision Friday against Washington after allowing an unearned run on three hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings.

Stock bounced back nicely after struggling in his previous outing, when he allowed eight runs on nine hits and five walks across three innings in a loss to the Pirates. This time, he kept Washington without an earned run despite dealing with traffic throughout his start. The Nationals scored in the third after Francisco Lindor's error extended the inning, while Stock worked around three walks and three hits before departing with one out and two runners on in the fifth. Nate Lavender escaped that jam to keep Stock's line intact. The 36-year-old Stock lowered his ERA to 6.57, though his inability to work deep into games continues to limit his fantasy appeal. If Stock stays in the rotation, he'd make his next start at home against the Padres.

Alvarez (2-4) took the loss Friday against the Mets after allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out four over 5.2 innings.

Alvarez carried a one-hit shutout into the sixth inning before New York finally broke through. A two-out homer from Francisco Lindor and a wild pitch that allowed Bo Bichette to reach first -- and eventually score -- were enough to force Alvarez from the contest. Despite taking the loss, the lefty delivered an encouraging performance, allowing just two hits while throwing 47 of his 73 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, lowering his ERA to 3.72. He's lined up to make his next start on the road against the Rangers.