Brandon Nimmo (shoulder) in Saturday’s lineup

Suarez gave up six hits, walked one and struck out two. It’s the first time he’s completed at least five innings in a start since June 29 against the Nationals. Suarez’ 3.25 ERA and 3.32 xFIP are in line with his career norms, he just had a July to forget. Even though he only recorded two strikeouts Wednesday, Suarez has a 25 percent strikeout percentage this year. He’s lined up for a two-start week next week, starting with the Diamondbacks at home on Monday.

Griffin was much better in this start compared to his Guardians debut last week. His cutter command was back on track as that pitch lived on the edges and he did well mixing his deep repertoire off it. He still wasn’t especially sharp, forcing just three swings-and-misses, but also didn’t get much help from his defense after an error by José Ramírez opened the door for two unearned runs to score in what turned into a 26-pitch first inning. Still, this was a fine start and Griffin is scheduled to a tense two-start week coming up first at home against the Giants and then into Coors Field to face the Rockies.

Smith let this one get a little too crazy. He entered in a three-run game with two outs in the eighth inning and promptly threw a wild pitch to let one run score. Then, gave up a lead-off single in the ninth to send the tying run to the plate. Gleyber Torres singled after that to put the tying runs on base with Dillon Dingler and Kevin McGonigle due up. Smith turned up the heat in that moment, throwing six fastballs of at least 98 mph – a full tick above his season average – over his last seven pitches to get out of the jam. He has a 2.30 ERA and is second in the league with 31 saves in what’s been a standout season.

Both of Martínez’s doubles held weight in this game. His first came in the first inning as Framber Valdez nearly escaped a bases loaded jam with zero outs and just one run home. With two outs, Martínez doubled home a key second run. Then, as the Guardians needed insurance late, Martínez’s seventh inning double helped set up a two-run rally. Red-hot in August after going hit-less in first 18 at-bats off the injured list, Martínez is riding an eight-game hitting streak and is 13-for-33 this month.

Torres’ solo home run in the third inning briefly gave the Tigers the lead before Framber Valdez gave it right back. Alas, it was his eighth homer of the season and second longest at 421 feet. He’s been solid overall out of the lead-off spot in Detroit with a .260/.371/.396 slash line across 63 games, just with only those eight homers and zero stolen bases.

It felt like Valdez was turning the corner, but he just can’t get right. In this start, the chaos began early. He walked Steven Kwan to start the game after being ahead of him 1-2. Then, Chase DeLauter singled down 0-2 and he hit José Ramírez with a two-strike curveball just after. Two runs wound up coming around to score in the first. It looked like Valdez had settled in a bit after that before Jo Adell took him deep for a two-run shot in the fifth. It’s just never easy for him. He’ll take a 4.26 ERA into his next scheduled start against the Pirates before facing the Royals afterwards in what should be a favorable two-start week.

Soriano gave up four hits, walked two and struck out four. The 27-year-old right-hander had a 1.66 ERA in his first nine starts of the year, but has a 4.21 ERA in 15 starts since then. Toronto thinks they can unlock more from Soriano and the results have been pretty good as he’s allowed two earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in his first two starts for the Blue Jays. Soriano is lined up to face the Rays on the road next week.

Mahle looks reborn in his two starts since the trade deadline. His fastball and splitter played off each other beautifully here forcing a combined 13 swings-and-misses as he showed pinpoint command of each. He kept the ball away from the Mets’ righties so well and barely threw any pitches in the heart of the plate. Again, his command was simply masterful. This was also the first time he’s completed six innings in consecutive outings all season and he has 16 strikeouts, zero walks, and just one earned run through 12 innings as a Brave. He’s lined up for a two-start week against the Twins and Brewers coming up.

Two nights in a row the Braves entered the ninth inning with a four-run lead over the months and both times they turned to Iglesias. Sure, it’s better to be safe than sorry and they have an off-day tomorrow. Yet, this was now the third time in five outings where Iglesias has let at least one run score. He’s not even close to being in jeopardy of losing this job, but he may no longer be the best reliever in his own bullpen given Didier Fuentes’ emergence.