MLB Player News

Phillips (4-1) picked up the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk over five innings while striking out three.

Phillips had a difficult time getting through the Dodgers' lineup from the jump, surrendering two runs in the opening frame as he allowed four of the first six batters to reach. The right-hander would then allow the first two men to reach in the second as well, leading to another two runs coming across for Los Angeles, though he closed out his time on the mound by hurling three consecutive scoreless innings. Phillips has now won four of his last five starts, though he's also allowed at least four runs in each of his last two outings while posting a 4:4 K:BB.

Kirby took the loss against the Tigers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out seven.

Kirby had a hard time with Detroit's lineup out of the gate, coughing up a leadoff homer to Wenceel Perez to open the contest before also surrendering runs in the third and fourth innings. The right-hander allowed multiple long balls on the night, something he hadn't done since June 21 against the Marlins (span of seven starts), and he's now failed to make it through six innings in back-to-back outings. Still, Kirby has not given up more than three runs in any start since May 24 and currently holds a 3.14 ERA on the season.

Skubal (13-4) picked up the win over Seattle on Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out nine.

Skubal got off to a great start, going 1-2-3 through the first three innings before surrendering a two-run shot to Cal Raleigh in the fourth. The lefty bounced right back after the long ball, however, holding the Mariners scoreless over his final three innings of work while generating 21 whiffs on the night. Skubal has now gone at least six innings in four consecutive starts, going 3-1 over that stretch while posting a 31:7 K:BB. He's also logged quality starts in three of his last four outings and hasn't recorded fewer than six strikeouts in nine straight.

Blackburn did not factor into the decision in a win over the Rockies on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over six innings while striking out six.

Blackburn gave up one run in the opening frame after surrendering a leadoff single to start things off, but he settled in nicely from that point on, allowing just one unearned run over the next five innings. It marked the right-hander's second quality start in a row since being traded to the Mets last month, and he's also recorded six strikeouts in each of those outings. Furthermore, Blackburn has allowed just one earned run in three of his last five starts (dating back to May 5), going 3-1 over that interrupted stretch.

Gonzales allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings during a no-decision against San Diego on Wednesday.

Gonzales was staked to a 2-0 lead after the first inning but couldn't hold it. He gave up a solo shot to Jackson Merrill in the second frame and a three-run blast to Kyle Higashioka in the fourth, then was pulled with one out in the fifth after surrendering a go-ahead single to Merrill. It was Gonzales' third straight start of fewer than five innings, and he's posted an ugly 8.49 ERA and 2.31 WHIP during that span.

King allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over five innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

King had his previous turn in the rotation skipped due to a left calf issue, but he was able to handle a normal workload with 94 pitches Wednesday. The right-hander began his outing poorly by giving up a pair of runs in the first frame and another (unearned) run in the second, but he yielded just one more run over his final three innings. King had a three-game quality-start streak snapped and gave up more than two runs for the first time in his past six outings, but he appeared to emerge from the appearance without any setbacks and should be fine to make his next start, which is projected to be a rematch with the Pirates next week.

Daniel (1-3) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday in Game 1 of a doubleheader, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings.

Daniel fell behind 2-0 after one inning and 3-0 after two before pitching his first scoreless frame in the third. However, he couldn't maintain any momentum in the fourth, as he allowed two of the three hitters he faced to reach base before getting the hook. Altogether, the rookie ended up allowing five runs, the third time in five starts he's given up that amount (though in one of those starts, only four of the runs were earned). Daniel has shown some promise too with a pair of strong starts during which he's given up just one earned run across a combined 13 frames, but his overall 6.04 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 25.1 innings make him a volatile fantasy starter.

Gil (12-5) earned the win over the Angels in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing two hits and issuing five walks while striking out six batters over five scoreless innings.

Gil's control was shaky in the outing, as he walked five batters, his second-highest total this season. However, the right-hander was nearly unhittable, giving up just a pair of harmless singles. The free passes ran Gil's pitch count up to 107, so he was unable to work long enough to register a quality start, but he did notch his third victory across his past four outings. That stretch has come following a four-game losing streak during which Gil posted a 9.37 ERA, so he appears to be back on track. On the season, Gil has shined with a 3.06 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 138:58 K:BB over 117.2 frames.

Crawford (7-9) allowed six runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings to take the loss versus the Royals on Wednesday.

The only positive from Wednesday's start was that Crawford allowed just one home run after giving up at least three long balls in each of his three previous starts. The right-hander has allowed 22 runs over 18.2 innings since the All-Star break, and the four walks he issued Wednesday matched his season high. The slump has raised his ERA from 3.04 to 4.11, and he's at a 1.13 WHIP and 125:34 K:BB through 131.1 innings over 23 starts this season. Crawford's next start is projected to be at home versus the Rangers.

Ragans (9-7) allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.1 innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Red Sox.

The Royals' defense didn't do Ragans any favors in the third inning, with all three Boston runs in that frame being unearned. That didn't stop Ragans from pitching into the seventh inning for the first time in four starts. The southpaw allowed multiple homers for just the second time this season. Ragans is at a 3.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 166:47 K:BB through 140.1 innings over 24 starts this season and he's projected for a road start versus the Twins in his next outing.