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    AJ Smith-Shawver impresses in Triple-A start

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    ATL Starting Pitcher #32
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    AJ Smith-Shawver recorded seven strikeouts over 6 1/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

    The Braves are going to have some tough decisions to make in the near future since Smith-Shawver has spent more than 15 days back in the minors since being demoted last month. The 23-year-old former top prospet could make his next start for Atlanta early next week, depending on how they want to construct their rotation for the final six weeks of the season. He’s looked sharp in his return from last year’s Tommy John surgery and is worthy of a speculative stash in deeper mixed leagues.
Perloff: It's 'over' for Dodgers after NLCS Game 3
Paul Pabst and Andrew Perloff explain why it's "over" for the Dodgers in the NLCS after their Game 3 loss to the Brewers amid a disastrous night for Blake Snell on the mound for LA and the Milwaukee bullpen flexing.

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  • ATL Left Fielder #20
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    Thomas was dealing with an intercostal strain and left off the Wild Card roster by Atlanta for their series against the Phillies. He, AJ Smith-Shawver and JR Ritchie are the new editions; while Dominic Smith, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Luke Williams have been taken off.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver has posted an inflated 7.71 ERA across 21 innings over five starts since making it back from last year’s Tommy John surgery in late July. The 23-year-old’s stuff should play up considerably in shorter bursts out of the bullpen and he figures to make Atlanta’s postseason roster. It’s unclear how the Braves are going to fill his rotation spot since he was lined up to face the Cubs on Wednesday.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver gave up five hits, walked two and struck out three. He fell to 0-2 in five starts with a 7.71 ERA. Smith-Shawver hasn’t shown fantasy managers that he has much to offer in this tour of the big leagues. He’s lined up to face the Cubs on the road next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver gave up six hits, walked three and struck out five. He fell to 0-1 in four starts with a 7.13 ERA. Smith-Shawver can safely be left on the waiver wire in mixed leagues for now. He’s lined up to face the Rays at home next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver’s velocity was up from last week, though it faded quickly; his fastball averaged 97.4 mph in the first, 95.6 mph in the third and 93.8 mph in the fifth, Still, the overall average of 96.1 mph was closer to the 96.8 mph he averaged in Triple-A than last week’s 95.0 mph against the Twins. Smith-Shawver ended up with three strikeouts and three walks tonight. It was a more promising showing than last week’s, but it wasn’t the kind of performance that suggests he needs to be picked up right now in mixed leagues. He’ll probably face the Nationals next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver averaged 96.8 mph with his fastball during his seven Triple-A starts and 97.2 mph in his one start for the Braves last month, but he didn’t show that kind of stuff today. He averaged 95.0 mph with his 20 fastballs, and the 31 splitters he threw were 2.8 mph slower than they were a few weeks ago. Maybe it was a one-time blip, but if not, he’s going to be a whole lot less interesting down the stretch. He’s supposed to stay in the rotation and face the Dodgers next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Now it’s official. Smith-Shawver will come back up to start for the Braves on Wednesday after he was removed from Triple-A Gwinnett’s probable pitchers earlier today. He’s a splitter-heavy righty with above average velocity who could find success. In his season debut against the Mets, his fastball jumped up two ticks to 97 mph and that velocity held during his two starts back in Triple-A. He’s also mixed in a new sinker against right-handed batters. By slotting in the rotation on Wednesday, he’ll give Chris Sale an extra day of rest.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Bowman reports that Herick Hernandez is meant to start for Triple-A Gwinnett tonight now in lieu of Smith-Shawver, which would free him up to be recalled and pitch in the big leagues tomorrow. Rumored to return to the majors since his season debut against the Mets three weeks ago, he has 13 strikeouts, four walks, and allowed two earned runs over 11 innings in two starts since. He’d be moderately interesting if or when he’s formally promoted.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver has allowed just two runs while recording a 13/4 K/BB ratio across 11 innings in a pair of starts since being sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett in late July. He allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings during his season debut back on July 29. Weiss added that he doesn’t want to move to a six-man rotation, so they’re going to have to make a decision with the rest of their established arms before bringing Smith-Shawver back in the near future. He’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in deeper mixed leagues based on his prospect pedigree and recent performance.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    He also struck out six and walked four while throwing 55 of his 89 pitches for strikes. Smith-Shawver was used as the 27th man in the Braves’ doubleheader last week, which meant he headed back to the minors after the game. The Braves kept him on schedule during a trade deadline in which they tried to trade for Jacob deGrom and Logan Webb. Considering the Braves only came away with Tyler Mahle, Smith-Shawver still has a clear path to a rotation spot. The expectation is that he may make one more start in Triple-A to continue shaking some of the rust, and then he should be up in the big leagues for the remainder of the season.

Rotoworld

  • MIL 1st Baseman #9
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    Jake Bauers went 1-for-2 with a double and three RBI on Thursday night as the Brewers triumphed over the Dodgers 6-4 in Game 4 of the NLCS to complete their four-game sweep and advance to the World Series.

    The Brewers fell behind early in this one as the Dodgers scored four times in the home half of the second inning. They never quit though. Bauers got the comeback started with a two-run double off of Tyler Glasnow in the fourth inning. He then worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in the tying run during a two-run uprising in the fifth inning. He has been an absolute menace in the batter’s box this postseason and a big reason why the Brewers will have a chance to bring home their first World Series Title.
  • MIL Center Fielder #5
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    Garrett Mitchell belted a go-ahead solo home run in the sixth inning on Thursday as the Brewers eked out a two-run victory over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS to complete their sweep.

    After falling behind 4-0 early in the ballgame, Mitchell completed the Brewers’ epic comeback with a 409-foot (105.2-mph EV) solo shot off of left-hander Tanner Scott in the sixth inning, giving the Brewers their first lead at 5-4. That would be all the offense that they would need. The 28-year-old outfielder finished the night 1-for-4 with his one hit being one of the biggest hits of the Brewers’ entire season. Next up, a matchup against either the Rays or Guardians in the World Series.
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    David Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a homer, stolen base and two RBI on Thursday as the Brewers stunned the Dodgers by overcoming a four-run deficit to win Game 4 of the NLCS and advance to the World Series.

    The speedy infielder smacked an RBI single off of Tyler Glasnow in the fifth inning that pulled the Brewers to within a run at 4-3. He then swiped second base and ultimately scored as Jake Bauers worked a walk with the bases loaded. Hamilton then added a valuable insurance run as he tagged Edwin Diaz for a 402-foot (105.0-mph EV) solo shot with two outs in the ninth inning, increasing the Brewers’ lead to 6-4. He’ll now get a couple of days to rest as the Brewers sit around and wait for their World Series opponent.
  • MIL Relief Pitcher #55
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    Shane Drohan recorded just three outs in a no-decision against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday night, allowing one run on one hit and a pair of walks in his one-plus innings of work.

    Drohan got himself into a jam in the opening inning but got Will Smith to ground into a double play to escape any damage. He then allowed a leadoff single to Kyle Tucker to open the second inning and Brewers’ skipper Pat Murphy decided he had seen enough. That run ultimately came around to score. The 27-year-old southpaw got just one whiff on 25 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 24 percent. He’ll be fully rested and ready to go out of the Brewers’ bullpen for the start of the World Series.
  • LAD Designated Hitter #17
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    Shohei Ohtani clobbered a three-run homer on Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough to power the Dodgers past the Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS.

    The Dodgers took an early lead in the second inning as Andy Pages smacked a one-out RBI single into center off of Brewers’ right-hander Dustin May. Two batters later, Ohtani really broke the game open with a 428-foot (113.1-mph EV) three-run blast to right-center that made it a 4-0 ballgame. That would be the extent of their offense in the game though, and they wound up being a run short when all was said and done. Ohtani had a chance with a runner at third base and one out in the seventh inning and couldn’t plate the tying run. Kyle Tucker then failed in the same situation in the eighth inning. It’s a stunning collapse for the Dodgers as they’re swept by the Brewers in the NLCS, scoring a grand total of 11 runs in the four-game set.
  • LAD Starting Pitcher #31
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    Tyler Glasnow struggled in a no-decision against the Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday, surrendering four runs on three hits across 4 1/3 frames.

    The 33-year-old right-hander racked up six strikeouts on the evening while also issuing a pair of free passes. He blanked the Brewers through the first three innings, but they broke through in the fourth as Jake Bauers smacked a two-run double. David Hamilton then added an RBI single in the fifth inning that chased Glasnow from the game. He generated five swings and misses on 79 pitches in the contest, registering a CSW of 25 percent. He’ll now have to wait through the entire offseason before getting a chance to get back on the mound and erase the bad taste from his mouth left behind from this outing.
  • ATL Center Fielder #49
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    Braves sent OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr. outright to Triple-A Gwinnett.

    The 29-year-old outfielder had been added to the Braves’ roster for their Wild Card series against the Phillies, but he was removed for the NLDS once Lane Thomas (intercostal) was healthy enough to contribute. Keirsey then passed through waivers unclaimed. He’ll continue to function as extra outfield depth for the Braves.
  • ATL 2nd Baseman #0
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    Braves selected the contract of INF Brett Wisely from Triple-A Gwinnett.

    The Braves didn’t want Wisely to hit the free agent market, so they made room for him on their 40-man roster. The 27-year-old infielder spent the entire 2026 campaign at the Triple-A level, slashing .281/.399/.436 with 11 homers, 65 RBI, 29 stolen bases and a 104/77 K/BB ratio across 517 plate appearances. He should have a chance to compete for a utility role with the Braves in 2027.
  • LAD Starting Pitcher #29
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    Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Thursday that he’s very unlikely to use Tarik Skubal or Yoshinobu Yamamoto out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers.

    Even with their backs against the wall, Roberts maintained confidence when asked if his star hurlers would be available out of the bullpen on Thursday, saying, “No. ... Our bullpen is rested, very, very capable. You’ve still got to win four, but obviously you’ve got to win one first, and I completely understand that. But the short answer, no.” It’s possible that the calculus could change if the Dodgers get down early in Game 4, but for now he appears to have full faith in Tyler Glasnow and his rested bullpen.
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    Ken Rosenthal and Keith Law of The Athletic report that the Rockies have parted ways with pitching coach Alon Leichman.

    The first-year pitching coach struggled at the helm of the Rockies’ staff in 2026 as they struggled to a 5.59 ERA and 1.52 WHIP that each ranked dead last in all of baseball. It’s possible that Leichman did the best that he could with what he had to work with, but the Rockies will go with a new direction for their pitching staff in 2027. It’ll be interesting to see how wide of a net they cast in their search for a replacement, as most experienced options may shy away from such a difficult opportunity.