MLB Player News

The Royals are holding onto one of the final wild card spots and wanted to improve on Alec Marsh in the final spot in their rotation, so they went out and landed Lorenzen. The 32-year-old has experience in the bullpen and the rotation but currently holds a 3.87 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 74/48 K/BB ratio across 97 2/3 innings with the Rangers. It’s a literal move for Lorenzen in terms of fantasy appeal since he remains on a solid team in a good pitcher’s park; however, he should get an easier schedule moving into the AL Central which isn’t such a bad thing.

Soto’s home run was his second of the ALCS. He hit a two-run shot off Gavin Williams in the first inning. Soto is hitting .286 with a .953 OPS and five RBI in the playoffs. Even with Aaron Judge slumping, the Yankees offense looks more than formidable with Soto and Giancarlo Stanton picking up the slack.

Stanton’s home run was his fourth of the postseason. He became the second Yankee ever joining Reggie Jackson with four home runs in multiple postseasons. Stanton hit a three-run home run off Cade Smith in the sixth inning, giving the Yankees a 6-2 lead. Stanton is hitting .300 with a 1.167 OPS and nine RBI in the playoffs.

Kahnle allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth, but ultimately shut the door to close out the Guardians in Game 4. With Luke Weaver gassed after his recent usage and blowing the save in Game 3, Kahnle was the choice to close Game 4. He attacked the Guardians hitters with changeup after changeup in the ninth inning. Weaver was warming up in the ninth inning in case Kahnle got into real trouble and should get the next save opportunity for New York, but Kahnle was excellent as he pitched the Yankees to a 3-1 ALCS lead.

Clase came into a tie game in the ninth inning. With the Guardians season on the line again and the best closer this regular season on the mound, Clase folded once again. Anthony Rizzo and Anthony Volpe both singled to start the inning. After Volpe stole second base, Alex Verdugo reached on an error that brought in a run. Then Gleyber Torres lined an RBI single to give the Yankees an 8-6 lead. Clase has now allowed nine runs in seven innings this postseason. The Guardians offense bailed out Clase in Game 3, but they weren’t able to do it again in Game 4. Clase has certainly had his moments this postseason, like closing out the Tigers in Game 4 and Game 5 of the division series. Overall, though, he’s coughed up the lead three times and has two losses.

Williams gave up three hits, walked none and struck out four. Williams, who was making the first start of his postseason career, was never going to go very long in this game. That hasn’t been Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s strategy so far in these playoffs. Williams allowed a two-run home run to Juan Soto in the first inning and Vogt pulled his starter when Soto was due up for the second time in the third inning. With the Guardians now on the brink of elimination, Williams isn’t likely to pitch again this year. He went 3-10 with a 4.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 76 innings over 16 starts during the regular season.

Gil gave up three hits, walked three and struck out three. Gil was solid in his first start of the postseason. He got through four innings and was removed after 79 pitches. It wasn’t spectacular, but he kept the Yankees in the game and left with a 3-2 lead. Gil did his job and will likely get another chance to start as the Yankees No. 4 starter in the World Series.

Betts’ home run was his fourth of the playoffs. He hit a solo shot off Ryan Stanek in the sixth inning to cut the Mets’ lead to 10-6. Betts got off to a slow start in the playoffs, but now he’s hitting .300 with a 1.079 OPS and 11 RBI.

The Mets broke the game open with a five-run third inning. Marte was in the middle of it as he hit a two-run double and scored on an RBI single by Francisco Alvarez. Marte is quietly hitting .310 for the Mets this postseason.

Alonso’s home run was his fourth of the postseason. He hit a three-run home run off Jack Flaherty in the first inning and the Mets never gave back the lead. Alonso’s time with the Mets could be coming to an end as he’ll hit free agency this offseason, but he’s certainly provided Mets fans with some good playoff memories of big hits this October.

Flaherty gave up eight hits, four walks and struck out none. Flaherty allowed three runs in the first inning on a Pete Alonso three-run home run. In the third inning, he walked Alonso and Jesse Winker to start the inning. Starling Marte followed with a two-run double. With two outs, Francisco Alvarez drove in Marte with a single to make it 6-1 Mets. Then Francisco Lindor hit an RBI triple and Brandon Nimmo knocked him in with an RBI single. It was easily Flaherty’s worst start of the postseason and it seems like he won’t pitch again in this series.