Baz put together his strongest start of the second half in this one, scattering seven baserunners over six shutout frames. The 26-year-old righty, who has been hit extremely hard since the All-Star break, was staked to a five-run cushion by the fourth inning and was able to cruise to an easy win, needing just 83 pitches (53 strikes) to navigate six frames. He’s put together back-to-back quality starts since most fantasy managers probably elected to cut bait after a six-run implosion where he coughed up five home runs against the Yankees back on August 19. He’ll close out a two-start week on Saturday against the Guardians.

Baz allowed just three singles and two walks tonight. Unfortunately, all of them came in the first inning. That’s kind of the way it’s gone for Baz this year. He dropped to 8-11 with a 5.19 ERA in spite of the improvement in his strikeout rate and exit velocity numbers from last season, when he returned from surgery to post a 3.06 ERA in 14 starts. He could be a really nice late-round pick next spring with the Rays returning to Tropicana Field. Before that, though, his 2025 will continue with a start next Monday against the Mariners.

The 26-year-old right-hander also issued a pair of walks while striking out three batters on the evening. He struggled mightily to keep the ball in the yard in this one, giving up a jaw-dropping five home runs - solo shots to Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton in the first, a two-run blast to Jose Caballero in the second and a solo homer to Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the third. Baz generated six swings and misses on 65 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 34 percent. He’ll look to put this one behind him and get back on track as he brings a 5.22 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 143/52 K/BB ratio (138 innings) into Monday’s tilt against the Guardians in Cleveland.

Baz gave up one run in the second inning on a base hit and a double. The Athletics brought three more runs in to score in the fourth on a hit batter, two doubles, and an error. A wild pitch with a runner on third would bring home a fifth run for the A’s in the fifth. Baz would complete the seventh and end his day at 93 pitches with seven strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 4.93 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 140/50 K/BB ratio across 135 innings into a start against the Yankees in Tampa Bay next Tuesday.