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On an emotional evening in which Americans at baseball stadiums nationwide honored and remembered those who lost their lives, and the heroic strength and sacrifice of the first responders who stepped up to help in the face of danger, during the tragic events of September 11, 2001; Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes delivered a pitching performance for the ages, recording 14 strikeouts over eight no-hit frames against Cleveland on Saturday night, before giving way to lefty closer Josh Hader, who tossed a flawless frame to finish off a combined no-hitter at Progressive Field. It was the ninth no-hitter of the 2021 campaign overall, the most in any single-season in major-league history.
In a season defined by stellar pitching performances, perhaps it’s only fitting that the pitcher on the precipice of the most dominant season in major-league history from a Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) standpoint -- eclipsing legendary campaigns from the likes of Pedro Martinez (1999), Dwight Gooden (1984) and Bob Gibson (1968) -- left his signature on a historic year for starting pitchers. The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty induced an eye-popping 26 swinging strikes and finished with a surreal 40 percent CSW (called strikes plus whiffs), needing 115 pitches (78 strikes) to navigate eight no-hit frames. A leadoff walk to Myles Straw in the seventh inning represented the only blemish in an otherwise perfect effort. Burnes established himself as an upper-echelon fantasy contributor during a breakthrough 2020 campaign, but has taken an additional step forward this season, recording a sublime 2.25 ERA (1.49 FIP), 0.94 WHIP and 210/29 K/BB ratio across 152 innings (25 starts). Simply put, Burnes should be selected as the top starting pitcher in fantasy drafts next spring.
Starting Pitchers with an EDGE
Zack Wheeler vs. Rockies
6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
33% CSW, 11 swinging strikes
It wasn’t his most dominant effort of the season, but it was more than enough on Saturday afternoon against the Rockies, as Wheeler has allowed just one earned run with a 17/2 K/BB ratio across 12 2/3 innings over his last two starts. The 31-year-old appeared to have hit a rough patch in mid-to-late August, but has clearly rebounded to close out the 2021 campaign strong.[[ad:athena]]
Jose Suarez vs. Astros
5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
24% CSW, 10 swinging strikes
Suarez took care of business on Saturday night, striking out seven batters and allowing just one run over 5 2/3 frames in a win over the Astros. The 23-year-old lefty has been on a roll lately, allowing three earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts since August 3. He’s a viable streaming option for fantasy managers over the final three weeks of the 2021 campaign.
Kevin Gausman vs. Cubs
6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
34% CSW, 16 swinging strikes
Gausman posted nine strikeouts and allowed three runs over six innings to cruise to an easy win over the Cubs on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The 30-year-old righty generated 16 swinging strikes, including 12 on his four-seam fastball, and finished with a solid 34 percent CSW. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine consecutive starts dating back to July 30. He’s also recorded at least seven punchouts in six of those outings.
Hitters with an EDGE
Brandon Belt vs. Cubs
2-for-4, 2 R, HR (23), 3 RBI, BB
Belt wasn’t allowed to wear the makeshift “C” on his jersey on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field, but he remained sizzling hot at the dish, tallying a pair of hits, including a three-run homer off righty Zach Davies in the second inning. The 33-year-old first baseman has been a one-man wrecking crew lately, homering 12 times across 29 games since returning from the injured list back on August 5. He’s up to a career-high 23 round-trippers, despite only recording 323 plate appearances so far this season.
Jorge Polanco vs. Royals
3-for-5, 2 R, 2 HR (28, 29), 3 RBI
It’s been a nightmarish season in Minnesota, but Polanco has been arguably the lone bright spot, emerging as an upper-echelon fantasy shortstop over the last few months. The 28-year-old infielder recorded his third multi-homer effort of the season on Saturday night, blasting a pair of homers off Royals righty Brady Singer. He’s gone deep an astounding 17 times, while slashing a robust .324/.364/.657 with 43 RBI and three stolen bases across 51 games since the All-Star break. He’s on the precipice of reaching the 30-homer plateau for the first time in his career and will likely be an early-to-mid round selection in fantasy drafts next spring.
Daulton Varsho vs. Mariners
3-for-4, R, HR (10), 4 RBI
It’s happening, isn’t it? Varsho notched three hits, including a two-run homer off righty Chris Flexen on Saturday night, leading the Diamondbacks to a one-sided victory over the Mariners. He also tattooed a two-run double off lefty reliever Justus Sheffield in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old backstop has been phenomenal in the second half, slashing .309/.384/.626 with nine homers and four stolen bases across 41 games since the Midsummer Classic.
Bryan De La Cruz vs. Braves
3-for-4, R, HR (4), 2 RBI, BB
Get to know De La Cruz because he isn’t going anywhere. The 24-year-old rookie outfielder tallied three hits, including an RBI single off veteran righty Charlie Morton in the opening frame and a go-ahead solo homer against righty reliever Richard Rodriguez in the eighth inning on Saturday night, powering the Marlins to a win over the Braves. He’s torn the cover off the ball, slashing .349/.397/.496 with 11 runs scored, four home runs, 15 RBI and one stolen base across 141 plate appearances since being called up in late July. There isn’t a ton of fantasy upside with De La Cruz, but he’s done nothing but hit over the last few weeks and is worthy of a roster spot in deeper mixed leagues moving forward.
Closing Time
Caleb Baragar vs. Cubs
3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2nd save)
It’s rare to see a save in a contest decided by 11 runs, but Baragar worked three frames to collect one in a game the Giants won by more than a touchdown at Wrigley Field on Saturday afternoon. It’s also football season, folks. In case you weren’t aware.
Joe Barlow vs. Athletics
1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (5th save)
Barlow tossed a scoreless frame on Saturday, protecting a two-run lead against the Athletics to notch his fifth save of the season. It’s difficult to forecast what the Rangers will do on a nightly basis, but he figures to be in the mix moving forward.
Jordan Romano vs. Orioles
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (17th save)
Romano was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the seventh inning in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Orioles and delivered a perfect frame to preserve the victory. The 28-year-old righty has emerged as an elite fantasy closer, converting 17 of his 18 save opportunities this season.
Chris Stratton vs. Nationals
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (4th save)
Stratton came on to guard a three-run lead in the ninth inning on Saturday night and needed just 16 pitches (eight strikes) to reel off a scoreless frame. The 31-year-old righty has picked up a pair of saves over the last week and could easily net a few more over the final three weeks of the regular season.
Raisel Iglesias vs. Astros
1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (31st save)
Iglesias was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning on Saturday evening and dealt with plenty of traffic on the bases in this one. He surrendered an RBI double to Garrett Stubbs with one out in the frame, but managed to retire Jose Altuve and Chas McCormick to extinguish the threat. The 31-year-old righty has converted 31 of his 36 save chances this season.
Josh Taylor vs. White Sox
1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (1st save)
Taylor tossed a scoreless 10th inning on Saturday night against the White Sox to pick up his first career save. The 28-year-old lefty has emerged as a viable high-leverage reliever for the Red Sox this season, but he’s unlikely to pick up too many saves over the remainder of the season.
Giovanny Gallegos vs. Reds
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (7th save)
Gallegos tossed a perfect ninth inning on Saturday night after Alex Reyes worked a scoreless eighth inning to pick up his seventh save of the season. The 30-year-old righty appears to have emerged as the Cardinals’ preferred stopper moving forward, locking down five saves since August 30.
Dylan Floro vs. Braves
1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (10th save)
Floro coughed up an RBI single to Freddie Freeman with two outs in the ninth inning, but managed to hang on, preserving a three-run lead against the Braves to net his 10th save of the season. He’s converted 10 of 15 save chances this season.
Josh Hader vs. Cleveland
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (31st save)
Aroldis Chapman vs. Mets
1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (26th save)
Kenley Jansen vs. Padres
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (32nd save)
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EDGE Priority Pickup
Seth Beer, 1B, Diamondbacks
Beer came off the bench to clobber a solo homer on Friday evening in his first major-league at-bat. He drew his first starting assignment on Saturday evening at designated hitter and wound up socking a line-drive RBI single in the fourth inning against righty Chris Flexen. The 24-year-old slugger possesses plenty of over-the-fence pop and is worthy of a speculative roster for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues.
American League Quick Hits: Rays placed SS Wander Franco on the 10-day injured list with right hamstring tightness … Tigers placed LHP Matthew Boyd on the 10-day injured list with a left elbow strain … Chris Bassitt (face) threw a bullpen session on Saturday … J.D. Martinez was scratched from the Red Sox’ starting lineup on Saturday against the White Sox due to back spasms … Matt Chapman left Saturday’s game against the Rangers early with a shin contusion … Michael Brantley left Saturday’s game versus the Angels with right knee discomfort … Kolby Allard was scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday afternoon against the Mariners due to illness … Thomas Hatch allowed one run over four innings before being lifted from his start against the Orioles with a hamstring injury … Aaron Judge launched a pair of homers to lead the Yankees to a narrow victory over the Mets … Vladimir Guerrero Jr. clobbered his 43rd home run of the season as the Blue Jays swept a doubleheader against the Orioles … Travis Shaw went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer and four RBI, propelling the Red Sox to an extra-inning victory over the White Sox … DJ Peters, Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras homered in the Rangers’ dramatic comeback victory over the Athletics … Joey Wendle went 2-for-4 with a solo homer to lift the Rays to a win over the Tigers … Luis Rengifo drilled a two-run homer in the Angels’ victory over the Astros … Starling Marte, Matt Olson and Mark Canha went deep in the Athletics’ loss to the Rangers … Austin Hays homered twice and Cedric Mullins hit his 29th big fly of the season as the Orioles were swept in a doubleheader against the Blue Jays … Luis Robert went 4-for-5 with three RBI and Yasmani Grandal went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in the White Sox’ loss to the Red Sox in an extra-inning marathon … Mitch Haniger and Jarred Kelenic went deep in the Mariners’ loss to the Diamondbacks … Yordan Alvarez tallied two hits and also walked twice in the Astros’ loss to the Angels … Robbie Grossman belted a solo homer in the Tigers’ loss to the Rays … Michael Pineda yielded one run over five innings in a win over the Royals … Cole Irvin notched eight strikeouts and yielded two runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the Rangers … Connor Seabold yielded two runs over three innings to record a no-decision in his major-league debut against the White Sox … Hyun-Jin Ryu was obliterated for seven runs over 2 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Orioles … Dylan Cease was torched for seven runs over 2 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox … Corey Kluber posted six strikeouts and allowed four runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Mets … Chris Archer allowed one run over four innings in a no-decision against the Tigers … Wes Benjamin was blasted for six runs over 3 1/3 frames in a no-decision against the Athletics … Dean Kremer gave up five runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays … Zach Plesac was charged with three runs (two earned) over six innings in a loss to the Brewers … Brady Singer notched seven strikeouts and allowed six runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Twins … Luis Garcia was tagged for four runs over five innings in a loss to the Angels … Chris Flexen was shelled for five runs over five innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks … Casey Mize allowed three runs over two innings in a loss to the Rays … Keegan Akin gave up three runs over six innings in a loss to the Blue Jays … Dietrich Enns struck out six batters over four perfect frames to pick up a win in relief against the Tigers.
National League Quick Hits: Brandon Woodruff has been scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday with a stomach illness … Kris Bryant and Brandon Crawford made an early exit from Saturday’s game against the Cubs early due to wrist soreness … Keibert Ruiz left Saturday’s game against the Pirates after being hit on the helmet with a pitch … Tyler Naquin exited Saturday’s contest against the Cardinals after injuring his ribs in an outfield collision … Jorge Alfaro left Saturday’s game against the Braves with left calf tightness … Phillies designated RHP Vince Velasquez for assignment … Mookie Betts went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and four RBI, leading the Dodgers to a win over the Padres … Tommy La Stella went 3-for-6 with a three-run homer and five RBI, propelling the Giants to a blowout victory over the Cubs … Bryce Harper, Jean Segura and Brad Miller homered in the Phillies’ one-sided win over the Rockies … Christian Yelich hit an RBI double and also walked in the Brewers’ win over Cleveland … Bryan Reynolds went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a pair of walks in the Pirates’ victory over the Nationals … Nolan Arenado went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and three RBI to lift the Cardinals past the Reds … Fernando Tatis Jr. went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBI in the Padres’ loss to the Dodgers … Juan Soto went 4-for-5 with an RBI in the Nationals’ loss to the Pirates … Frank Schwindel stayed hot with three hits in the Cubs’ lopsided defeat at the hands of the Giants … Trevor Story left the yard in the Rockies’ blowout loss to the Phillies … Jonathan India and Nick Castellanos slugged two-run homers in the Reds’ loss to the Cardinals … Freddie Freeman went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI in the Braves’ loss to the Marlins … Javier Baez crushed his 30th homer of the season in the Mets’ loss to the Yankees … Walker Buehler struck out five batters and yielded two runs over seven innings in a win over the Padres … Humberto Castellanos allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings in a win over the Mariners … Charlie Morton recorded seven strikeouts and allowed three runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the Marlins … Josiah Gray walked six batters and surrendered five runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Pirates … Taijuan Walker posted eight strikeouts and allowed five runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Yankees … Luis Castillo yielded four runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals … Wil Crowe struck out six batters and yielded three runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Nationals … Miles Mikolas gave up four runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Reds … Elieser Hernandez allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Braves … Chris Paddack was charged with four runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Dodgers … Kyle Freeland gave up four runs over six innings in a loss to the Phillies … Zach Davies was blasted for five runs over two innings in a loss to the Giants.
