MLB Player News

Toglia’s long ball wound up as the decisive blow in this game and spun it on a dime as Frankie Montas had carved up the Rockies’ lineup through five innings. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore Toglia’s breakout. He’s made huge strides with his plate discipline with a 70th percentile chase rate – up from 42nd last season – and 64th percentile SEAGER – up from 53rd last season. Consistent contact will continue to be an issue, but he understands which pitches to attack and does serious damage when he connects. Another fun stat, he has a higher OPS on the road than he does at Coors Field this season. He can help you add power down the stretch and is a name to watch next season.

The Reds managed four runs on four hits in this game thanks to two-run homers from both De La Cruz and TJ Friedl. The former crushed his an estimated 413 feet at 111.1 MPH in an impressive display of power. That power has dried up a good bit of late though as this was De La Cruz’s first homer in 16 games and second overall since the beginning of August.

Williamson followed opener Fernando Cruz as the bulk-guy in this game and did well to limit the Mets’ lineup. He retired the first eight batters he faced and the only hit he gave up was a ball that Jake Fraley did well to track down, but lost as he tumbled into the side-wall. Then, Buck Farmer promptly let that inherited runner score and put Williamson on the hook. Regardless, Williamson used his cutter and changeup well and might’ve earned himself another turn in the rotation. That would come next week in St. Louis against the Cardinals.

Manaea was one out away from another gem before TJ Friedl sent a hanging sweeper into the right field seats. Nevertheless, this was Manaea’s fifth straight start where he worked into the seventh inning as he’s suddenly become one of the league’s preeminent work horses. No one has thrown more innings than Manaea since July 1st and this was his sixth start since then with at least nine strikeouts. He’s scheduled to face the Blue Jays on the road in his next start.

Even though it was a breaking ball, Hernández seemed to be in a whole lot of pain afterwards. Chris Taylor ran for him and took over in left field.

Fried was in control for this entire outing. The only run he gave up came after an error by Orlando Arcia, fielder’s choice, and an RBI groundout. Otherwise, the Blue Jays had trouble sustaining any sort of rally. He was deep in his bag showing seven total pitches, used six of those seven as the first pitch of an at-bat, and forced a swing-and-miss with five of them. Just a wily veteran going out there keeping the other guys guessing. Fried is scheduled to face the Nationals on the road in his next start.

Iglesias did well to work around two hits and close this one out. Overall, he has been downright nasty this season. He hasn’t allowed an earned run since June 16th and has a 37.6 K% since then. He’s having one of the best seasons of his entire career and looks like one of the most dominant relievers in baseball right now.

This was Soler’s first game not hitting either first or second since being acquired by the Braves. And that made sense too since you have to get, checks notes, Whit Merrifield into the two-hole. Nevertheless, Soler scalded his double 110.5 MPH and has an .835 OPS since the All-Star break after dragging his feet through the first half.

Lukes scored the Jays’ only run and was their only batter to reach base twice on a tough night against Max Fried. This was Lukes first start in nearly a week despite notching four hits out of the lead-off spot last Saturday.

Gausman did well to hang on for this quality start. He was up to 55 pitches after the Braves batted around in the second inning with three runs home. Gausman was visibly uncomfortable in the Atlanta humidity and was sweating through his jersey as that inning mercifully ended. Yet, he turned his outing around largely thanks to some batted ball luck and finding the command of his splitter. It forced 10 swings-and-misses as it continued to disappear below the strike zone. While not comfortable, this version of Gausman is palatable. He’s scheduled to face the Mets at home next time out.

Merrifield will get a CT scan to rule out a smaller fracture. Consider him day-to-day for now. Luke Williams could start at second base on Saturday.