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Hao Yu Lee 2B | DET
Tigers' Hao-Yu Lee: Reaches five times in win
Lee went 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 8-5 win over the Pirates.
Lee set a new season high with three hits and also set a season high by reaching base five times. The rookie infielder hasn't quite found an everyday role with the Tigers, but he's performed well when given an opportunity with a .275 batting average and .737 OPS. If Detroit falls out of playoff contention down the stretch, Lee could see his role grow if the team prioritizes its younger players.
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Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Tees off in win
McGonigle went 2-for-6 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 8-5 win over the Pirates.
McGonigle snapped a mini 0-for-7 slump over his last two games with a solid performance that included his 13th home run of the season. Three of those long balls have come in 14 contests this month, and the youngster has been showing more power overall as the year has gone along, as he had just three homers through the end of May. McGonigle has had a great debut campaign so far and seems well on his way to winning the AL Rookie of the Year award.
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Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Fills up box score in win
Witt went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, a walk, a stolen base and three additional runs scored in Monday's 9-5 win over the Athletics.
The Athletics couldn't contain Witt, who crossed the plate a season-high four times Monday. Even with the Royals playing out the final stretch of a losing season, the superstar shortstop is looking to close out the campaign on a high note. Since coming off the injured list, Witt is batting .340 with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI and three stolen bases over his last 50 at-bats.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Tigers' Kenley Jansen: Nails down 16th save
Jansen struck out two in a clean ninth inning to notch the save Monday against the Pirates.
Jansen made quick work of the Pittsburgh bats, dropping seven of his eight pitches into the strike zone Monday. The veteran right-hander is eight saves away from joining the prestigious 500-save club, so he's firmly within striking distance to accomplish that feat in 2026 if he stays healthy the rest of the way. Jansen, who last blew a save May 24 in Baltimore, has a 3.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:20 K:BB with 16 saves (20 chances) over 33.2 innings.
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Steven Cruz RP | KC
Royals' Steven Cruz: Locks down fifth save
Cruz threw a clean ninth inning to secure the save Monday against the Athletics.
Cruz continues to establish himself as Kansas City's favorite for saves. The right-hander has successfully converted each of his last five save chances, with each coming since July 22, and he's been scored upon just five times in his last 24 outings. Cruz, who has a 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB over 46.1 innings, should serve as the Royals' closer while the club continues to wait and see if Carlos Estevez (shoulder) will return this season.
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Framber Valdez SP | DET
Tigers' Framber Valdez: Crumbles in sixth inning
Valdez (8-8) earned the win against the Pirates on Monday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
Valdez was cruising along over four scoreless innings initially, but Pittsburgh got to him for four of his five runs allowed in the sixth inning. The left-hander continues to put forth an up-and-down debut season with the Tigers, conceding four earned runs in back-to-back outings to follow up a pair of quality starts to begin August. Valdez is set to bring a 4.35 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 111:54 K:BB over 138.2 innings into a soft matchup against the lowly Royals in Kansas City.
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Mason Barnett RP | ATH
Athletics' Mason Barnett: Ineffective in fourth loss
Barnett (1-4) took the loss against the Royals on Monday, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out two.
Barnett struggled mightily Monday, landing only 45 of his 83 pitches for strikes in a laborious outing. The right-hander isn't making a strong case to maintain his rotation spot once Jeffrey Springs (hip) returns from the injured list, surrendering three runs or more in four consecutive appearances while failing to log a quality start during that span. Through 40.2 innings, Barnett has a poor 7.08 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 38:24 K:BB.
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Michael Wacha SP | KC
Royals' Michael Wacha: Hurt by long ball in sixth win
Wacha (6-8) earned the win against the Athletics on Monday, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out three.
Wacha had trouble keeping the ball in the yard Monday, serving up a season-high-tying three home runs. The veteran right-hander remains a mostly dependable member of Kansas City's rotation, pitching at least five innings in all but one of his 25 starts on the year while giving up more than four runs just three times. Wacha will bring a steady 3.58 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 120:41 K:BB over 155.2 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Tigers.
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Ceddanne Rafaela CF | BOS
Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela: Cracks three doubles vs. Arizona
Rafaela went 3-for-5 with three doubles, one RBI and two runs scored during Bostons' 11-1 win over Arizona on Monday.
Rafaela set a career high with three doubles in Monday's blowout win, and it was high ninth three-hit game of the year. The 25-year-old center fielder has stepped up his production this year, which earned him a spot on the American League roster for the All-Star Game. Rafaela is slashing .288/.325/.470 with 16 steals (in 23 attempts), 16 home runs and 64 RBI over 503 plate appearances this season, and his 32 doubles are tied with Alec Burleson for most in the majors.
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Caleb Durbin 3B | BOS
Red Sox's Caleb Durbin: Logs three hits Monday
Durbin went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, two runs scored and a steal during the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.
Monday marked the seventh time this season (and fifth time since the All-Star break) that Durbin recorded at least three hits in a game. The 26-year-old third baseman has been on a tear at the plate since the break, slashing .330/.411/.446 with five steals, three home runs, 22 RBI and a 12:17 BB:K over 131 plate appearances.