Joey Votto powered the Reds to a 6-1 win over the Phillies on Friday, going 1-for-4 with a three-run homer. Votto snapped a scoreless tie with his fourth-inning bomb, giving him 26 big flies and 75 RBIs on the year. While not quite as hot as he was during his seven-game homer streak in late July, Votto has continued to crush the ball in August with five long balls and 16 RBIs in 11 games this month. The 37-year-old veteran has hit safely in 21 of his last 24 games and is absolutely dialed in at the dish right now. If he keeps it up, he's going to finish with his best numbers since he was NL MVP runner-up to Giancarlo Stanton in 2017.
Tyler Mahle pitched the Reds to victory on Friday, firing seven shutout innings against the Phillies while allowing just three hits and no walks with seven strikeouts. Mahle got the best of Zack Wheeler and the Phils, firing 72 of his 108 pitches for strikes and keeping Philadelphia's dangerous lineup off the board. The strong outing improved his record to 10-3 and lowered his ERA to 3.58, giving him three consecutive victories (his last loss was June 27). Mahle has now allowed two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts as he continues his career-best season, which now includes a personal high in innings after tonight's outing. Look for him to keep rolling against a depleted Cubs lineup at home in his next start next week.
Jack Flaherty blanked the Royals over six innings on Friday, allowing just two hits and no walks with five strikeouts. Flaherty picked up right where he left off in his first start since the end of May, improving to 9-1 with a 2.65 ERA after his latest gem, which saw him fire 52 of his 81 pitches for strikes. While injuries have limited the 25-year-old to only a dozen starts this season, he's recaptured his elite form from 2019 after a down 2020 campaign. When healthy, Flaherty is one of the best pitchers in baseball and needs to be started in all fantasy leagues every time he takes the mound. He'll look to continue his excellent season when he faces the Brewers at home in his next scheduled start.
Wil Myers went 3-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer against Arizona on Friday. Myers plated both of San Diego's runs in the 3-2 loss with his seventh-inning two-run shot. The long ball was his 13th of the year but first in August, snapping a streak of 23 games without a dinger. It was also his first two-bagger since July 22, ending a run of 18 games without one. While Myers' recent power outage was concerning, it shouldn't be too surprising for his fantasy owners as he's essentially regressed back into a league-average outfielder following his strong 2020. The 30-year-old had not enjoyed a three-hit game since July 16, raising his average to .258 and helping him break out of a sluggish start to August thus far.
Julio Urias received a no-decision after spinning five shutout innings against the Mets on Friday, allowing just two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Urias kept New York's scuffling lineup at bay and handed a 4-0 lead over to the bullpen, only to watch LA's relievers give it all back during a four-run seventh inning. While he was denied his 14th win, Urias still improved his ERA to 3.29 with the strong outing. He's now allowed two earned runs or less in eight of his last nine starts, as the 25-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down despite nearly doubling his previous high in innings pitched. He'll look to keep rolling against the Pirates at home in his next start.
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