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Michael Wacha SP | KC
Royals' Michael Wacha: Fans seven in ninth win
Wacha (9-8) notched the win against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out seven.
The veteran right-hander continued his reliable ways Thursday, logging his third straight quality start and seventh in his last nine. Wacha has been a stabilizing presence in Kansas City's banged-up rotation, surrendering more than four earned runs on just three occasions in 28 starts. He'll carry a solid 3.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 143:44 K:BB over 176.2 innings into his next scheduled outing versus Arizona.
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Holds on for 31st save
Chapman secured the save Thursday against Baltimore, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two.
The Orioles made things very interesting after Christian Encarnacion-Strand launched a two-run home run, but Chapman hung on for the save in a shaky outing. It was the first time the All-Star closer conceded multiple earned runs since being unable to record an out June 22 in Colorado. He has a 2.12 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 62:20 K:BB and 31 saves in 33 chances over 46.2 innings this year.
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Adley Rutschman C | BOS
Red Sox's Adley Rutschman: Makes splash in return to Baltimore
Rutschman went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and an additional run scored in Thursday's 6-5 win over Baltimore.
Returning to Camden Yards for the first time since being traded to Boston, Rutschman recorded his first multi-homer game as a member of the Red Sox and second of 2026. The switch-hitting backstop also returned to the starting lineup after missing each of Boston's previous three contests due to a nagging elbow injury, looking no worse for wear in the process. Through 63 trips to the plate with his new team, Rutschman is still slashing just .193/.270/.368 with three long balls, one double, six RBI and eight runs scored.
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Brandon Young SP | BAL
Orioles' Brandon Young: Steady campaign continues
Young took a no-decision against the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out seven.
The right-hander was one out away from a second consecutive seven-inning start, but Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled on a groundball to tie up the game and send Young to the dugout. Young has been a dependable back-end rotation piece for the Orioles throughout 2026, yielding more than three earned runs just four times in 24 starts. He'll bring a 3.42 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 110:48 K:BB over 137 innings into his next scheduled outing versus Cleveland.
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Jake Bennett SP | BOS
Red Sox's Jake Bennett: Locks in for quality start
Bennett took a no-decision against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out seven.
After serving up back-to-back solo home runs to begin the fourth inning, Bennett responded by retiring the final nine batters he faced Thursday. Despite getting a quick hook -- the 68 pitches were his second fewest of 2026 -- the southpaw went deep enough for his third consecutive quality start. He's set to take a strong 3.34 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 81:18 K:BB over 99.2 innings into a favorable home matchup versus the Angels.
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Kyle Stowers 1B | MIA
Marlins' Kyle Stowers: Dealing with hamstring injury
Stowers exited Thursday's contest against the Royals with left hamstring tightness, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Stowers was hit by a pitch in the foot during top of the seventh frame, but it was ultimately hamstring discomfort that resulted in him being removed in the eighth inning. The 28-year-old will likely undergo additional imaging and should have his status updated in the near future. It's worth noting that a strain of the same hamstring put Stowers on the injured list for a couple weeks in August.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong CF | CHC
Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong: Provides offense in key win
Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.
Crow-Armstrong went deep against Milwaukee starter Logan Henderson with a runner on in the third inning, and it was all the offense the Cubs would need to secure a series split with their division rivals. The young outfielder came into the night with just a .322 OPS against the Brewers this year with no home runs, but he's been dynamite overall. Crow-Armstrong is now one long ball shy of his first career 40-homer campaign, and he's tacked on 32 stolen bases as well to put a 40-40 season well within reach.
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Kyle Stowers 1B | MIA
Marlins' Kyle Stowers: Exits early Thursday
Stowers was removed from Thursday night's contest against the Royals in the eighth inning due to an apparent foot injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Stowers took a 93.2-mph fastball from Craig Kimbrel off his left foot with two outs in the top of the seventh frame, and he ultimately remained in the contest. The 28-year-old was later replaced by Deyvison De Los Santos in the field with no outs and a runner at second base in the bottom of the eighth. More information on the status of Stowers will likely come following the conclusion of the game.
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Kevin Gausman SP | CHC
Cubs' Kevin Gausman: Outduels Henderson in ninth win
Gausman (9-11) earned the win against the Brewers on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out nine.
The right-hander outdueled Logan Henderson on Thursday, authoring one of his finest efforts as a member of the Cubs. Gausman registered his most strikeouts in a Chicago uniform, giving up one or no runs for the second time in six starts with his new club. He'll try to build more momentum his next time out in a road rematch with Milwaukee, holding a 4.37 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 38:8 K:BB in 35 innings since being traded from Toronto.
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Ryan Rolison RP | CHC
Cubs' Ryan Rolison: Shuts door Thursday for second save
Rolison pitched a clean ninth inning with no strikeouts to record the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.
With Jacob Webb taking a comebacker off his forearm Wednesday, the Cubs needed to go in a different direction to close out Thursday's game, and Rolison was up to the task. Webb is experiencing soreness but will avoid a stint on the injured list, so Rolison's time as Chicago's closer may be short lived, though it's possible Webb misses a few more games. No matter what role he's been in this year, Rolison has been reliable with a 2.93 ERA and 49 strikeouts across 55.1 innings, and he now has two saves to his name as well.