Jake Burger launches two homers to lead Rangers

It was Keith’s first homer since Aug. 16, and it gave him his first multi-RBI game since Aug. 6. Keith hasn’t really been able to get much going this year, partly because he isn’t really allowed to. His bat speed is up a little, and Statcast thinks he’s been somewhat unlucky in hitting a league-average .257/.319/.404. Still, it can’t help that not only does he always sit against lefties, but he’s pulled from his starts every time he’s due to face one. He’s started and finished a game only once this month and just 46 times on the season.

He came out with a 5-2 lead. Both runs scored on solo homers, but Montero also struggled some with his control while throwing only 39 of 74 pitches for strikes. It’s understandable if his mind was elsewhere, as it sounds like he’ll soon be going on the paternity list. He could start next week against the Blue Jays, but since he seems to have worn down some, it’s also possible he’ll finish out the year in middle relief.

Holton has been excellent again, amassing a 2.69 ERA in 69 innings, but he’s just 2-5 this year after going 6-5 last year and 7-2 during his stellar 2024. He also has two saves and 14 holds on the season.

Matthews had some unusual control issue today, walking four of the 13 hitters he faced. The first three batters who walked all came around to score. The fourth didn’t, but that was a bases-loaded walk that forced in a run. Matthews had been 5-1 with a 3.50 ERA and seven walks in six starts since the beginning of August. He’s probably not going to be worth using in mixed leagues against the Yankees next week.

Lewis went 0-for-11 in the series. He’s hitting .173 with one homer in his last 20 games.

Bolte has been on a tear and is up to four home runs and five stolen bases since September began. Wednesday’s round-tripper followed a monstrous game on Monday in which he homered and swiped three bases. He now has 10 homers and 19 steals, and he’s hit leadoff in every game for the A’s since August 18. Their lineup has been ravaged by season-ending injuries this year, but Bolte is taking advantage of the favorable home park down the stretch. He’ll likely enter 2027 with some sleeper appeal, though it’s fair to wonder if he’ll still fit that description given how hot he’s been to close the year.

It was the longest outing of the season for Basso, who threw 68 pitches against Toronto. Four relievers then combined to complete the shutout against the low-scoring Jays, who entered Wednesday with the second-fewest runs per game in MLB. Basso’s lack of length keeps him off the fantasy radar ahead of his next matchup, on the road against the Rays.

Alvarado struck out two while allowing one hit in the scoreless inning. Co-closer Hogan Harris worked the eighth. The two relievers have combined for every A’s save since June 26. While Harris has earned more during that span, Alvarado has four of the past seven.

Lorenzen gave up a third-inning solo homer to Henry Bolte that broke a scoreless tie, and it was all the scoring the A’s would need. The veteran right-hander began this season with the Rockies and was released in August before signing with the Blue Jays. He pitched behind an opener, and his ERA remains over 7 for the season. This is a pure innings play by Toronto, so he’s clearly off the fantasy radar.

Beavers hasn’t exactly been tearing the cover off the ball of late, but the Orioles are going to give him a look in the leadoff spot over Jackson Holliday to face Cleveland lefty Foster Griffin in this one.