The Red Sox come into Yankee Stadium four games out of the third wild card slot in the AL as Cooper Criswell faces Nestor Cortes. Criswell tends to give up hits, in part due to a low strikeout rate. He compensates by limiting home runs and walks. Cortes does a better job of limiting hits, but batters can take him deep as he allowed 23 home runs in 163 1/3 innings. This is the first time in his career he crossed the 162 inning qualifying barrier. He owns the fifth lowest walks per nine innings in the AL.

Kumar Rocker makes his MLB debut for the Rangers in Arizona against Bryce Miller. Rocker right now is known more for his draft history. Taken by the Mets in 2021, New York decided not to sign him due to medical concerns. The Rangers signed him the next season, only to see his 2023 season in the minors lead to Tommy John surgery. His promotion to the majors was unexpected:

But Rocker forced their hand.

He made two starts following a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock in late August, allowing just four hits and two runs over 10 innings while punching out a whopping 18 batters, including a career-best 10 strikeouts on Aug. 28.

“I think you have to look at the body of work,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday. “It’s really, really impressive. It’s something he’s earned and he’s a big part of the Rangers’ future. Why not give him some time up here?”

MLB.com

It seems he has “a Batmobile so I can reach ya in a fast shake.”

Miller, in his second MLB season, lowered his ERA by over a run. He is part of a rotation, with George Kirby and Logan Gilbert who are very stingy with walks.

Enjoy!