Acquired in a trade with Baltimore just prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, Kevin Gausman debuted in a Braves uniform one week ago. That Saturday evening, the 27-year-old righty turned in a so-so effort over 5.0-plus innings. However, in his first start at SunTrust Park on Friday night, Gausman delivered a sensational performance in front of the Atlanta fans.

After retiring 3-of-4 Milwaukee batters during the top of the first inning, the Braves offense supplied Gausman with a 3-0 advantage in the bottom half of the frame and he was locked in from there on out. Gausman worked 8.0 innings, allowing only one run on six hits with no walks while striking out 8 in the 10-1 blowout.

 

In Case You Missed It

With a 10-run explosion, there was obviously some offensive stars on the Atlanta side as well Friday night. Among them was MLB hits leader Nick Markakis , who continued his outstanding campaign with a pair of doubles, three RBI and three runs scored. Markakis has now put up five-multi performances over his last six games, going 13-for-24 with two homers and three doubles in that span.

Speaking of offensive explosions, the Red Sox nearly doubled the Braves output by hanging a 19 runs on the Orioles. Mookie Betts set the pace for Boston once again, following up Thursday’s cycle with a 3-for-4 night that included two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored. Betts will enter play Saturday leading the majors in batting average (.352), slugging (.675) and OPS (1.114).

Back to some pitching, Carlos Rodon stayed in his impressive groove with perhaps his best outing of the season Friday night. Shutting down the Indians potent lineup is no easy task, but Rodon made it look fairly routine. The fourth-year southpaw fired 8.0 shutout frames, surrendering just four hits and two walks while striking out five. Rodon now sports a remarkable 1.27 ERA across 42.2 innings since the beginning of July.


Saturday on the Hill

Lance Lynn will head to the mound for his third appearance (second start) since being dealt to the Yankees back on July 30, and if it goes anything like the previous two, the Rangers bats could be in for a tough afternoon. Lynn has worked 11.2 scoreless innings since putting on the pinstripes, allowing only seven hits and a walk alongside 14 punchouts.

Following a 10-day stint on the DL due to a hip issue, Tyler Skaggs is slated to get back on the bump versus the A’s in Anaheim on Saturday night. Despite being blasted for 10 earned runs during his most recent start at Tampa Bay back on July 31, Skaggs is in the midst of a breakout season for the Angels. With the injury apparently behind him, Skaggs will face off with an Oakland squad against which he has allowed no earned runs (two unearned) across 13.1 innings this year.

 

Streaking

Mark Trumbo - 12 games - 19-for-49, 5 HR

Freddie Freeman - 12 games - 17-for-47, 1 HR, 3 2B

Eugenio Suárez - 10 games - 13-for-37, 2 HR

J.D. Martínez - 9 games - 16-for-37, 3 HR, 7 2B

Andrew Benintendi - 9 games - 14-for-38, 1 HR, 5 2B

 

You can follow Nate Miller on Twitter @Miller_RotoDad or hear him every Monday & Thursday hosting the Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Podcast along with Colby Conway.