MLB Player News

Hodge allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning, taking a blown save in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rockies.

Hodge suffered his first blown save since ascending to the closer role, allowing a two-run home run to pinch hitter Sam Hilliard with two outs in the ninth inning. That blast ended a 15-inning scoreless streak for Hodge, who has emerged as one of the Cubs' most reliable relievers in the second half. He's now at a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB with five saves, nine holds and three blown saves over 39 innings this season. Hodge has been scored on in just five of his 35 appearances.

Taillon allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six over six-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Saturday.

Taillon kept the hosts off the board through five frames, but gave up a run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth before Pete Crow-Armstrong tagged him for a solo shot in the seventh. This was Taillon's third straight quality start to begin September -- he's allowed just three runs over 19 innings this month. The right-hander is now at a 3.54 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 119:29 K:BB through 152.1 innings over 26 starts this season. His next outing is projected to be at home versus the Nationals.

Toglia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Cubs.

Toglia is 9-for-32 (.281) with three homers over his last nine contests. His blast Saturday was part of a comeback push for the Rockies, as he cut the Cubs' lead to 3-2 in the seventh inning. Toglia continues to impress with power, boasting 24 homers and a .473 slugging percentage through 103 contests. He's batting just .221 on the year with 51 RBI, 58 runs scored and eight stolen bases, though he's found more consistency at the plate in September.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Cubs.

Blackmon delivered the Rockies' lone multi-hit effort Saturday. The veteran is hitting .286 (10-for-35) over 10 contests in September, with three of those games being multi-hit performances. He's up to a .251/.320/.389 slash line with nine home runs, 45 RBI, 51 runs scored and six stolen bases across 113 games this season.

Hilliard hit a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Rockies.

Hilliard delivered a game-tying, two-out blast in the ninth inning, and the Rockies went on to win in the 10th. Over his last nine games, Hilliard has four homers and eight RBI. The outfielder is at a .248/.302/.533 slash line with eight long balls, 23 RBI, 22 runs scored and four stolen bases over 119 plate appearances this season. He continues to fill a depth role for the Rockies, rotating in as a reserve outfielder versus right-handed pitchers.

Freeland allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking three over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Saturday.

Freeland secured his fourth quality start in his last five outings while matching his season high with seven innings. Two of the three runs on Freeland's line came via solo home runs by Cody Bellinger and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Through 19 starts this season, Freeland has a 4.89 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 79:25 K:BB across 103 innings. He's projected to make his next start on the road in a tough matchup against the Dodgers.

Arcia went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, three RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 10-1 win over the Dodgers.

Arcia knocked in multiple runs for the first time since Aug. 30. The shortstop has had a quiet September so far, going 6-for-41 (.146), though three of his hits this month have gone for extra bases. He's at a .220/.275/.361 slash line with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, 45 runs scored and two stolen bases across 143 contests this season.

Olson went 2-for-5 with two doubles, four RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 10-1 win over the Dodgers.

Olson has gone 13-for-45 (.289) with nine RBI and five doubles over 12 contests in September. He hasn't hit a home run since he swatted two of them Aug. 29. The first baseman is up to a .238/.317/.442 slash line with 25 homers, 86 RBI, 71 runs scored, 36 doubles and no stolen bases across 148 games this season.

Merrifield went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 10-1 win over the Dodgers.

Merrifield has gone 5-for-8 over the first two games of this weekend's series versus the Dodgers. He missed the previous week due to a left foot fracture, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Merrifield cede some playing time to Cavan Biggio for regular rest. For the season, Merrifield has a .229/.321/.327 slash line four home runs, 16 stolen bases, nine doubles, three triples, 15 RBI and 43 runs scored over 89 contests between Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Sale (17-3) allowed a run on five hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win Saturday over the Dodgers.

Sale has allowed no more than two runs in any of his last seven starts, giving up just six runs with a 54:7 K:BB over 45 innings in that span. He's now gone nine consecutive outings without giving up a home run. Sale trimmed his ERA to 2.35 with a 1.00 WHIP and 219:37 K:BB through 172.2 innings overall across 28 starts this season. He's projected to make his next start at Cincinnati.