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Andrew Kittredge RP | BAL
Cubs' Andrew Kittredge: Secures another save
Kittredge picked up the save Friday against the Rays, recording one strikeout while retiring all three batters he faced.
It's the second straight outing with a save for Kittredge, who appears to be manager Craig Counsell's top choice at closer with Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the shelf. Brad Keller also seemed to be in the closer mix but has worked the eighth inning ahead of Kittredge in those two games.
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Matthew Boyd SP | CHC
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Notches 13th win
Boyd (13-8) earned the win Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Rays. He struck out one.
Boyd delivered his shortest start since Aug. 8 and surrendered at least four runs for the fourth time in his last five outings, but he was still able to build on his career-high win total. The left-hander had a 2.46 ERA through his first 24 starts of the year, but the recent stumble has seen that mark increase to 3.05. Still, it's been a career year for Boyd, whose previous career best in a season of more than 15 starts was a 4.39 ERA.
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Michael Conforto DH | CHC
Dodgers' Michael Conforto: Provides lone run in loss
Conforto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-1 extra-inning loss to the Giants.
Conforto took Justin Verlander deep in the seventh inning for the Dodgers' lone run of the game. Conforto is 6-for-27 (.222) over eight games in September, with Friday's performance marking his first extra-base hit and first RBI of the month. The veteran outfielder has struggled all year with a .193/.297/.331 slash line, 11 homers, 30 RBI, 47 runs scored and one stolen base over 127 contests. The Dodgers' outfield is at full health, so Conforto will face challenges from Andy Pages, Alex Call and Hyeseong Kim for starts in left field.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto SP | LAD
Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Dazzles again in no-decision
Yamamoto allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out 10 over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Friday.
There was no late drama in this one, as Yamamoto gave up both baserunners and the lone run on his line in the first inning in his first start since losing a no-hitter after 8.2 innings versus the Orioles last Saturday. Yamamoto retired 20 straight batters to end his start, which was his third straight effort of at least seven innings of one-run ball, and he's tallied 10 strikeouts in each of those games. The right-hander was dominant early in the year and has returned to that form down the stretch with some of his best outings of 2025, including five straight quality starts since his start in Colorado on Aug. 18. Yamamoto is at a 2.66 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 187:51 K:BB through 162.1 innings over 28 starts this season. He's lined up for a rematch versus the Giants at Chavez Ravine next week.
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Patrick Bailey C | CLE
Giants' Patrick Bailey: Stays hot with walk-off grand slam
Bailey went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Friday's 5-1 extra-inning win over the Dodgers.
Bailey has homered three times over his last four games. He took advantage Friday when the Dodgers walked the bases loaded in the 10th inning, taking Tanner Scott deep for the walk-off blast. Bailey is up to six homers, a career-best 50 RBI, 42 runs scored and one stolen base while slashing a meager .220/.276/.325 over 121 contests this season. Despite the overall lackluster level of production, Bailey's recent power surge makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers in NL-only and two-catcher formats to close out the year.
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Justin Verlander SP | DET
Giants' Justin Verlander: Goes seven innings in pitching duel
Verlander allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out four over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.
Verlander was good, throwing 67 of 105 pitches for strikes, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto was even sharper as the two pitchers dueled for seven frames. Over his last six starts, Verlander has allowed just 10 runs (nine earned) in 35.1 innings while posting a 37:11 K:BB. The one run on his line Friday was a solo home run by Michael Conforto, which was the first long ball Verlander has given up during his recent stretch of strong pitching. The 42-year-old right-hander is now at a 3.94 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 124:47 K:BB through 134.2 innings across 26 starts this season. His next start is projected to be at Arizona.
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Mitch Garver C | SEA
Mariners' Mitch Garver: Restores lead with homer
Garver went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 win over the Angels.
The Angels tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the seventh inning, but Garver restored the Mariners' lead in their half of the frame. This was his ninth homer of the year and his first since Aug. 18 versus the Phillies. The veteran catcher is at a .212/.301/.356 slash line with 29 RBI, 27 runs scored and three stolen bases over 269 plate appearances this season. Garver is seeing steady usage in a short-side platoon role between catcher and designated hitter.
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Andres Munoz RP | SEA
Mariners' Andres Munoz: Converts 35th save
Munoz struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Angels.
Munoz got the job done on a tidy 12 pitches (eight strikes). After the Mariners' skid in early September, Munoz has successfully shaken off the rust by logging four scoreless innings and three saves over the last five days. That heavy workload could leave him unavailable for a save opportunity Saturday. Munoz is now 35-for-42 in save chances this season while adding a 1.57 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 75:25 K:BB over 57.1 innings as one of the steadiest relievers in the majors.
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Luis Castillo SP | CHW
Mariners' Luis Castillo: Another quality start Friday
Castillo allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over six-plus innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Angels.
Castillo has logged consecutive quality starts after a brutal stretch from Aug. 2 to Sept. 1 during which he went winless over six starts with a 7.31 ERA across 28.1 innings. The rebound has helped the Mariners get back on track as they continue to battle for the AL West lead. Castillo is now at a 3.76 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 149:46 K:BB through 167.1 innings over 30 starts this season. The veteran right-hander is projected to make his next start at Kansas City.
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Yusei Kikuchi SP | LAA
Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Rebounds with quality start
Kikuchi allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Mariners.
Kikuchi did his part, throwing 63 of 98 pitches for strikes in a quality start. He had allowed 18 runs over 11.2 innings across his previous three appearances, so this was a strong bounce-back effort, though the veteran southpaw has been quite shaky throughout the second half. Overall, he has a 4.08 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 166:70 K:BB through 167.2 innings over 31 starts. Kikuchi's next outing is tentatively projected to be at Milwaukee, which is a matchup fantasy managers may want to avoid.