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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Continues hot stretch
Moreno went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, a home run and three RBI in Friday's 9-8 loss to Minnesota.
Moreno swatted a three-run shot in the ninth inning that gave the Diamondbacks a lead that went away in the bottom of the inning. He's on a hot streak with four consecutive multi-hit games (8-for-15, two HR, five RBI) and has been on a heater since returning the lineup in August following a two-month absence due to a fractured right index finger. Since returning, Moreno is slashing .351/.415/.614 with four home runs and 16 RBI over 17 contests.
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Moises Ballesteros C | LAA
Cubs' Moises Ballesteros: Productive effort Friday
Ballesteros went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay.
This was the first appearance for Ballesteros since he was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, so he's clearly filling more of a depth role for the Cubs at this point. In limited MLB playing time this year, the 21-year-old rookie has looked comfortable at the plate with a .273 batting average and .742 OPS across 22 at-bats. Ballesteros has limited fantasy appeal in this current setup, though his long-term outlook remains promising as one of Chicago's top offensive prospects.
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Michael Burrows SP | HOU
Pirates' Mike Burrows: Starting again Sunday
Burrows is slated to start Sunday's game against the Nationals in Washington.
After making a pair of relief appearances Aug. 30 and Sept. 3, Burrows slotted back into a starting role Tuesday against the Orioles, though the Pirates continued to manage his workload in his first full season back from April 2023 Tommy John surgery. In his start versus Baltimore, Burrows struck out six and generated 14 whiffs while permitting one run on two runs and one walk, but he was lifted after just four innings and 56 pitches. Braxton Ashcraft ended up piggybacking Burrows and covered three innings out of the bullpen, but with Ashcraft slated to start Monday's series opener versus the Cubs, Burrows could have a slightly longer leash Sunday while he makes his second straight start.
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Lucas Giolito SP | SD
Red Sox's Lucas Giolito: Strong effort in loss
Giolito (10-4) took the loss Friday versus the Yankees after giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out six batters across 5.2 innings.
Giolito put the Red Sox in an early hole by giving up a home run to Aaron Judge in the first inning, and an RBI single from Cody Bellinger in the third was all New York needed to remain in front for the rest of the game. Giolito was pulled one out before he could deliver his third quality start in his last four appearances. Still, he will take a season-best 3.31 ERA into his next start -- tentatively scheduled to come against the Athletics on Wednesday.
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Geraldo Perdomo SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo: Homers in loss
Perdomo went 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Twins.
Perdomo contributed to an Arizona comeback, which eventually failed, with a two-run home run in the seventh inning. He homered for a second straight game and has six over the last 19 contests. The shortstop is having a breakout season with 19 homers and 95 RBI through 147 games.
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Reaches three times in win
Hoerner went 2-for-3 with a walk, a triple and two runs scored in Friday's 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay.
Hoerner extended his hitting streak to seven games, and during that time, he's tallied four multi-hit performances. Over his last 15 games, the speedy infielder is batting .339 with two home runs, three stolen bases, six RBI and 13 runs scored. Hoerner remains a useful fantasy asset due to his contact skills and ability to swipe bags.
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Tyler Mahle SP | ATL
Rangers' Tyler Mahle: Excels in Friday's rehab start
Mahle (shoulder) struck out six and allowed one hit and no walks over four shutout innings in his rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.
The Rangers had contemplated bringing Mahle back from the 60-day injured list for this weekend's series with the Mets, but he instead remained on assignment with Round Rock to continue getting stretched out as he works his way back from the right shoulder strain that has kept him on the shelf since June 15. The veteran right-hander looked about as sharp as the Rangers could have hoped during his third rehab start Friday, showing improved stuff and command from his prior two outings while firing 31 of his 52 pitches for strikes and generating seven whiffs. He'll likely return from the IL for the Rangers' home series versus the Marlins next weekend, but because he's not yet ready to handle a typical starter's workload, Mahle could temporarily work as a bulk reliever, or perhaps get deployed in a piggyback arrangement with current No. 5 starter Jacob Latz.
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Aaron Judge RF | NYY
Yankees' Aaron Judge: Leaps past DiMaggio
Judge went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and scored an additional run during Friday's win over the Red Sox.
After tying the legendary Joe DiMaggio with 361 career home runs Thursday, Judge didn't waste any time hitting No. 362 by sending a Lucas Giolito fastball 468 feet into the Boston night during the first inning. Now in sole possession of fourth place on the Yankees' all-time HR leaderboard, Judge needs just three more long balls over New York's final 15 games to record his third 50-homer season in the last four years.
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David Bednar RP | NYY
Yankees' David Bednar: Two punchouts in save No. 23
Bednar struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to collect his 23rd save of the season Friday against the Red Sox.
Bednar had a three-run lead to work with when he entered in the ninth inning, but the 30-year-old reliever didn't give up an inch en route to tallying his sixth save in a Yankees uniform. After collecting a save in each of his last three appearances, it appears Bednar has emerged as the preferred ninth-inning option for manager Aaron Boone down the stretch.
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Bubba Chandler SP | PIT
Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Awarded another start
Chandler is slated to start Saturday's game against the Nationals in Washington.
After turning in a shiny 2.25 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over 12 innings across three bulk-relief appearances to begin his time in the big leagues, Chandler was handed his first MLB start this past Sunday against the Brewers. The 22-year-old righty was handily knocked around by the NL Central leaders, lasting just 2.2 innings in a 10-2 loss while yielding nine earned runs on nine hits and three walks. Despite the wretched outing, Chandler will be deployed as a starter once again Saturday, though another poor showing could prompt the Pirates to shift him back to his prior bulk-relief role.