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Byron Buxton CF | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Productive in Monday's win
Buxton went 3-for-5 with a double, four runs scored and a walk in Monday's 9-6 win over the Athletics.
Buxton was active offensively, matching a season high with four runs while picking up three hits for the first time since June 26. In 10 games since returning from the injured list due to a right hip impingement, the center fielder has gone 7-for-36 (.194) with no homers, one RBI and eight runs. Overall, Buxton is slashing .256/.321/.515 with 25 homers, 46 RBI, 65 runs and seven stolen bases in 92 contests.
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Andrew Morris RP | MIN
Twins' Andrew Morris: Picks up fourth save
Morris picked up the save Monday against the Athletics, retiring the lone batter he faced.
After Yoendrys Gomez was tagged for four runs without finishing the ninth inning, Morris was called upon to record the final out and did so to secure his fourth save. It marked the 24-year-old's first save since July 12, as Gomez has settled in as the primary closer for the Twins. On the year, Morris owns a 3.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB across 60.2 innings.
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Robbie Ray SP | SD
Padres' Robbie Ray: Goes 5.1 frames in no-decision
Ray allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Monday.
Ray and Braxton Ashcraft traded zeroes until the sixth inning, when Pittsburgh notched a pair of runs on Ray's ledger. The first came on an Esmerlyn Valdez solo homer, while the second run crossed the plate on a double after Ray departed. While his final frame spoiled Ray's shot at a second straight quality start, it was nonetheless an overall positive outing by the left-hander, who has given up two or fewer runs in three of his four outings since joining San Diego at the trade deadline. Ray will likely need to clean up his 15:13 K:BB across 20.1 innings during that span to build consistent success, but he's being counted on to fortify a Padres rotation that could get back both Joe Musgrove (elbow) and Nick Pivetta (forearm) at some point in September.
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Jeffrey Springs SP | ATH
Athletics' Jeffrey Springs: Ineffective in 12th loss
Springs (3-12) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Twins. He struck out three.
The southpaw wasn't particularly effective, getting knocked out in the fifth inning after surrendering a solo homer to Ryan Kreidler and an RBI single to Kody Clemens. Springs threw 89 pitches (60 strikes) before exiting. In two starts since returning from an injured list stint due to right hip discomfort, the 33-year-old has allowed six runs with a 4:5 K:BB over 10.1 innings. Springs will take a 6.08 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 92:49 K:BB across 118.1 innings (24 starts) into his next outing, tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Orioles.
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Yohan Ramirez RP | PIT
Pirates' Yohan Ramirez: Strikes out side for save Monday
Ramirez earned a save against the Padres on Monday by striking out all three batters he faced in the 12th inning.
With primary closer Mason Montgomery as well as top setup man Luke Weaver having pitched earlier in the game, manager Don Kelly turned to Ramirez after Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 12th frame. The righty reliever performed in dominant fashion, striking out the side on 17 total pitches. It was the second save of the season for Ramirez and the ninth of his seven-year MLB career. Montgomery has been outstanding of late and is in no danger of losing his closer role, so fantasy managers in need of saves need not speculate on Ramirez getting many (if any) final-inning chances moving forward.
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Zebby Matthews SP | MIN
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Logs seven innings in eighth win
Matthews (8-8) earned the win Monday, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings against the Athletics. He struck out seven.
Matthews kept the Athletics offense quiet while completing seven innings for the first time since June 29. In four August starts, the right-hander has gone 4-0 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 22.2 frames. Overall, he owns a 4.86 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 88:32 K:BB across 103.2 innings (18 starts) and is tentatively scheduled to pitch Sunday against the White Sox.
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Braxton Ashcraft SP | PIT
Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft: Logs third straight quality start
Ashcraft allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over six innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Monday.
Ashcraft held the Padres scoreless until the sixth inning, when he balked home a run. That ended up being the only time San Diego scored while the righty starter was in the game, as he notched his third consecutive quality start and 13th overall this season. Ashcraft has given up exactly one run in each of his past three outings, posting a remarkable 1.17 ERA across 23 innings during that span. The 26-year-old has blossomed this season into a very promising MLB starter, posting a 13-5 record with a 3.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 161:34 K:BB across 155.1 frames spanning 26 starts.
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Julio Rodriguez CF | SEA
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Records three RBI in win
Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored Monday in a 9-2 victory versus the Phillies.
Rodriguez helped Seattle get off to a fast start with a three-run blast off Zack Wheeler in the first inning. The long ball snapped a 10-game homerless stretch during which he batted just .159 (7-for-44) with only one RBI and a 1:17 BB:K. Rodriguez hasn't been able to put it all together yet this year -- his .725 OPS is on pace for a career-worst mark -- though his homer Monday gave him 20 long balls for the fifth straight season. He's added 16 steals, 60 runs and 56 RBI through 121 contests.
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Zack Wheeler SP | PHI
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Pounded for four homers in defeat
Wheeler (10-5) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and five walks while striking out four batters over four-plus innings.
Wheeler looked entirely off his game Monday -- he tied season-worst marks with five walks and four homers allowed while needing 103 pitches to cover just four frames. The veteran hurler's outing ended on an especially sour note when he gave up back-to-back long balls leading off the fifth inning before being pulled. Wheeler has now gone six straight starts without completing six innings, and he's given up four or more runs four times during that span while going 0-3. After posting an outstanding 2.13 ERA across 15 first-half appearances, he's stumbled to a 7.18 ERA through seven second-half starts. He'll try to turn things around the next time he takes the mound, which lines up to be a road matchup versus the Angels.
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Chase DeLauter RF | CLE
Guardians' Chase DeLauter: Hopeful for Tuesday return
The Guardians are optimistic that DeLauter (hamstring) will be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
DeLauter was scratched shortly before Monday's matchup with hamstring tightness, though it looks as though he'll avoid an IL stint. The club should have a better idea of his availability for the rest of the series after re-evaluating him Tuesday morning.