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  • Paul Skenes strikes out seven in MLB debut
    Paul Skenes gave up three runs over four-plus innings with seven strikeouts in a no-decision against the Cubs on Saturday.

    Advice: Skenes allowed six hits while issuing two walks and throwing 54-of-84 pitches for strikes. Of those 84 offerings, 17 of them were clocked above 100 mph. The top pitching prospect in baseball held the Cubs scoreless for the first three innings, but he allowed a solo homer in the fourth to Nico Hoerner, and two more runs were charged to the 21-year-old in the fifth after he left without recording an out in that inning. A bit of a disappointing result, but anyone who watched Skenes pitch Saturday saw the makings of a frontline starter. He’ll face the Cubs again in Chicago on Thursday. Rotoworld Today, 6:25 pm
    Paul SkenesPIT - SP
    W, 10-9 vs CHC
    New Player Note
     
  • John Means allows four over 4 2/3 against D-Backs
    John Means allows four runs over 4 2/3 innings Saturday against the Diamondbacks while not factoring into the decison.

    Advice: Means was outstanding Saturday against the Reds. This outing would best be described as shaky at best. The left-hander gave up six hits, and he struck out three while not issuing a walk. The 31-year-old gave up a two-run homer to Ketel Marte in the third, and two more were charged to him after he exited with one out in the fifth. Means will try and bounce back Friday against the Mariners. Rotoworld Today, 4:20 pm
    John MeansBAL - SP
    W, 5-4 vs AZ
    New Player Note
     
  • Ryne Nelson allows 10 hits, three runs vs. O’s
    Ryne Nelson gave up three runs on 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Orioles on Saturday.

    Advice: Nelson didn’t walk anyone and he struck out three. He allowed a solo homer to Gunnar Henderson, and while he “only” allowed the three runs Saturday, he was pretty much in trouble throughout the outing. Nelson has a 5.33 ERA, and a chance to lower that comes Friday against the Tigers at home. Rotoworld Today, 4:20 pm
     
  • Jordan Romano collects sixth save with scoreless 9th
    Jordan Romano struck out two without allowing a run to pick up a save Saturday against the Twins.

    Advice: Romano did give up a double, but he was able to keep the Twins off the board while picking up his sixth save of 2024. That number is more impressive when you remember Romano missed time with injury to begin the season. Rotoworld Today, 3:20 pm
     
  • Kevin Gausman allows 10 hits, six earned vs. Twins
    Kevin Gausman allowed seven runs — six earned — over three innings while not factoring into the decision Saturday in a start against the Twins.

    Advice: Not ideal. Gausman allowed three runs in the first, another in the second, and three more in the third before leaving the game. The right-hander did strike out six, but hard to be too excited about punchouts when you are this ineffective when the ball is put into play. Gausman sees his ERA jump to 4.95 from this outing from the 3.78 mark he had coming into it. He’ll get a chance to rebound Friday against the Rays. Rotoworld Today, 3:19 pm
     
  • Set for big-league debut
    Skenes' contract was purchased from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of his big-league debut Saturday against the Cubs.

    Advice: Skenes is the best pitching prospect to come along in over a decade, and his big-league debut is as highly anticipated as any pitching prospect's debut in recent memory. The big 6-foot-6 righty not only had the best statistical performance of any starter in the minors this year, but he has the best pure stuff as well. Skenes logged a 0.99 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, a 42.9 percent strikeout rate and a 7.6 percent walk rate in 27.1 innings at Triple-A. He has averaged just under five innings per start over his last three starts, but after throwing 129.1 innings in 2023, he should be able to push toward 160 total innings this year with good health. Rotowire.com Today, 11:28 am
    Paul SkenesPIT - SP
    W, 10-9 vs CHC
    New Player Note
     
  • Orioles remove Craig Kimbrel from closer role
    Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters Saturday that he’s not sure when Craig Kimbrel will return to the closer role.

    Advice: Kimbrel pitched the seventh inning on Friday against the Diamondbacks and it certainly appears that the Orioles are set on giving him some lower-leverage situations to get back on track before they consider putting him back in the ninth inning role. For now, it seems like Yennier Cano will handle any save chances that arise, while Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb could also be in the mix. Rotoworld Today, 11:26 am
     
  • Pirates summon Paul Skenes for MLB debut
    Pirates selected the contract of RHP Paul Skenes from Triple-A Indianapolis.

    Advice: Skenes will take the ball on Saturday afternoon against the Cubs at PNC Park in the most anticipated pitching debut since Stephen Strasburg back in 2010. The flame-throwing 21-year-old first-overall selection from the 2023 MLB Draft has checked every box this season for Triple-A Indianapolis during his meteoric ascent, posting a microscopic 0.99 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 45/8 K/BB ratio across 27 1/3 innings (seven starts). He projects as an immediate impact fantasy contributor, thanks to his elite strikeout upside, despite some looming workload limitations. Rotoworld Today, 7:45 am
    Paul SkenesPIT - SP
    W, 10-9 vs CHC
    New Player Note
     
  • Collects third hold
    Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect seventh inning Friday to record his third hold of the season in a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

    Advice: The 35-year-old reliever didn't exactly get deployed in the highest-leverage spot, as he faced Arizona's 8-9-1 hitters, but Kimbrel got the job done on an efficient 12 pitches (eight strikes). He topped out at 94.5 mph with his fastball though -- he averaged 95.9 mph last season -- and it was only the second time in Kimbrel's last seven appearances that he avoided giving up a run. Yennier Cano got the save in the ninth inning, and that figures be the arrangement for a while until Kimbrel demonstrates his struggles are behind him, although other relievers like Danny Coulombe could also be in the saves mix. Over those last seven appearances, Kimbrel has a 10.13 ERA, 3.19 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB in 5.1 innings. Rotowire.com Today, 6:29 am