MLB Player News

Bieber allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and struck out nine over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners. He did not walk a batter.

Both runs Bieber allowed came on sacrifice flies. He was slightly more effective than Seattle starter Logan Gilbert in what amounted to a pitchers' duel. Bieber has strung together six straight quality starts, allowing nine runs (seven earned) across 40.1 innings in that stellar span. The Cleveland ace has a 3.02 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 153:32 K:BB in 152 innings over 24 outings this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Orioles next week.

Gilbert allowed two runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Guardians on Friday. He struck out two and walked none.

Gilbert dueled effectively with Cleveland ace Shane Bieber, with each team driving in two runs on sacrifice flies. After an abbreviated five-inning start versus Oakland last Saturday, it was encouraging to see Gilbert return to the threshold of a quality start. He's still gone nine straight outings without a win, but the right-hander has maintained a solid 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 133:41 K:BB through 149.2 innings this year. He'll carry a 10-5 record into his next outing, currently projected to be a favorable road start in Detroit next week.

Sears (5-1) allowed three runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out three over six innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Yankees.

Sears did the bare minimum for a quality start, the first of his big-league career. Unfortunately, he also allowed a season-high three runs, which came on an Aaron Judge home run in the fifth inning, and he got little run support from Oakland. The four walks and eight hits were also season highs for Sears, who held his own against the team that traded him at the deadline for Frankie Montas. Sears owns a 2.28 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB through 43.1 innings across 11 outings (six starts) between the A's and the Yankees this year. He's projected for a favorable road start versus the Nationals next week.

Cole (10-6) allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 7.1 innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Friday.

Cole notched his seventh game of double-digit strikeouts this year. His punchout of Cal Stevenson in the seventh inning secured Cole's fifth career 200-strikeout season. He's the first in the majors to reach that milestone in 2022. The right-hander has gone at least six innings in 14 straight starts, pitching to a 3.08 ERA in that span. For the season, he owns a 3.31 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 200:39 K:BB through 157.2 innings across 26 starts. He's projected for a road start versus the Angels next week.

Quintana (4-6) took the loss Friday versus Atlanta, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings.

Quintana's decent pitching was nullified by an error that allowed Atlanta to scrape together two runs in the fourth inning. It's the second start in a row that the Cardinals' defense has made the southpaw's job harder. He's allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his five starts since joining St. Louis from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. Overall, Quintana has a 3.45 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 108:42 K:BB through 127.2 innings across 25 starts.

Wacha (9-1) yielded four runs on five hits and a walk over six innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over the Rays.

Wacha served up a homer to Yandy Diaz on the first pitch of the game before Ji-Man Choi took him deep in the second inning. Before Friday's lackluster outing, the veteran righty had tossed 12.2 scoreless frames since returning from the injured list earlier this month. However, he still picked up his ninth win of the year, and he's posted a 2.61 ERA through eight starts since his last loss May 31. Wacha will carry a 2.53 ERA into his projected start in Minnesota next week.

Strider (8-4) earned the win Friday over the Cardinals, allowing one run on six hits, a walk and a hit batsman with seven strikeouts in six innings.

Strider threw 72 of 102 pitches for strikes in a sharp start. This was the fifth time in his last six outings he's limited opponents to one run. The right-hander trimmed his ERA to 2.87 with a 1.03 WHIP and 158:38 K:BB across 106.2 innings through 27 appearances (16 starts) this season. He'll look to keep this good stretch going in his next start, tentatively projected for next week at home versus Colorado.

Whitlock struck out one in a perfect inning and earned a save over Tampa Bay on Friday.

Whitlock needed just eight pitches to roll through the Rays. It was his sixth save of the year and third in his last four appearances. The 26-year-old now owns a 2.90 ERA with a 72:13 K:BB through 71.1 innings this season. Whitlock should continue seeing a large portion of Boston's save opportunities while Tanner Houck (back) is out.

Bassitt allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over 7.1 innings against the Rockies on Friday. He struck out one and did not factor in the decision.

Bassitt tossed five scoreless frames before running into trouble in the sixth. He gave up three runs that inning and was later charged with one more in the eighth during the Mets' win. Bassitt has gone 4-0 with a 2.29 ERA and a 24:9 K:BB over his last six outings, lowering his season ERA to 3.34 through 24 starts. He's projected to face the Dodgers at home next week.

Falter (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings Friday, striking out six and earning a win over Pittsburgh.

Falter tossed three shutout frames before coughing up a two-run shot to Bryan Reynolds in the fourth inning, followed by a Rodolfo Castro solo homer in the fifth. The 25-year-old southpaw is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in two MLB starts this month, but Falter is sporting a 4.41 ERA through 51 innings on the season. He's currently projected to start in Arizona next week.