Matthew Boyd tosses quality start in defeat

Kim was 5-for-76 on the season and hadn’t had an at-bat in 11 days, but the Braves picked him over lefty swinging Dominic Smith to face Tanner Scott in a tie game in the bottom of the ninth tonight and he came through with a 103-mph line drive to left on the eighth pitch of the at-bat. Kim, who spent the month of the July on the IL, had been 0-for-27 since he last singled on June 3. Maybe the big hit will get him a start at shortstop this weekend. He’s gotten just one of those since being activated on Aug. 1.

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.

Scott gave up one run after entering a tie game in the eighth last night. Tonight, he entered a tie game in the ninth and retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a double to Lane Thomas. Scott then intentionally walked Austin Riley to bring up the pitcher’s spot in the lineup, as the Braves had lost the DH after pinch-running for Sean Murphy in the eighth. The Braves turned to .066-hitting Ha-Seong Kim as a pinch-hitter, and Kim ended the game with a knock. In spite of the two losses, Scott still ought to be the Dodgers’ closer. He should get Thursday off, which might result in a save chance for Alex Vesia or Edgardo Henriquez.

The Braves have been using Murphy pretty often lately even without him hitting at all, but maybe his bat is starting to wake up. He entered tonight 6-for-44 with a 17/1 K/BB in a 2026 season that saw him get off to a late start after hip surgery and then suffer a fractured finger after returning in May.

Baldwin’s second double was hit 105 mph and would have been a homer in four ballparks. It’s his first multi-RBI game since Aug. 5 and first with multiple extra-base hits since July 19. He had hit .229/.282/.302 in his previous 24 games.

Edman drove in three runs for the fourth time in 56 games since returning from ankle surgery. He’s batting 271/.351/.420, and he’d seem to have a better case than Mookie Betts for hitting third for the Dodgers with Andy Pages absent.

There was only one single ball in play that turned into runs in this game, and it came off Lukes’ bat in the form of a three-run homer. He’s been solid albeit unspectacular for the Blue Jays in a strong-side platoon role with nine home runs and a .264 batting average in 98 games.

A multi-inning master, this was Varland’s 13th outing this season getting four or more outs. His incredible efficiency makes those outings easier than they are for most, just like here where it only took him 15 pitches and he faced six total batters. He’s the seventh reliever to reach 30 saves so far this season and his 1.20 ERA is only higher than Mason Miller’s among all closers.

After making a few spot starts and bulk outings earlier on this season, Miles was shuttled back to the bullpen full-time in July and hadn’t pitched more than a single inning in eight straight appearances until this one. He didn’t get a single whiff and pitched from behind for a good chunk of this start, but got the six outs the Blue Jays asked him to. He now has a 2.95 ERA in what’s been a stellar season for the swing-man and he should get another chance next week on the road against the Guardians, just don’t expect much bulk as he continues to build himself back up.

The Royals were blanked by the Blue Jays here despite Jensen reaching base three times out of the lead-off spot. He’s had a disappointing season with just a .222 batting average and .305 on-base percentage as the Royals have given him fewer chances atop their order lately.