Matthew Liberatore: Everything you need to know

Liberatore (1-1) earned the win Friday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings, striking out four. Liberatore bounced back after giving up five runs and three homers in a no-decision against the Mariners in his last start. This time, he was facing one of the best offenses in the majors, but he did a good job of keeping the ball in the park while ending just one out shy of recording what would've been his third quality start of the campaign. Liberatore isn't a pitcher that's going to overpower hitters, as he's fanned more than four just once in his seven starts, and his 23:13 K:BB across 36 innings doesn't really stand out, but he's a decent innings eater. He'll take a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP into his next start, which is scheduled for next week at home against the Brewers.

Liberatore came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 11-9 loss to the Mariners, coughing up five runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 3.1 innings. He struck out three. The two teams combined for eight homers on the afternoon, with Liberatore doing his part to fuel the offensive eruption before getting the hook after 64 pitches (47 strikes). It was the first time this season the southpaw has failed to last at least five innings in a start, but he's served up eight long balls in total over just 30.1 innings, leaving him with a 4.75 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB. Liberatore will look for his first win of 2026 in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Dodgers.

Liberatore did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Astros, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over four innings. Liberatore allowed a run in the third inning but was otherwise strong, needing just 82 pitches to complete his second quality start of the season. Through five outings, the southpaw has yielded one earned run three times and four earned runs twice. He'll carry a 3.67 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB across 27 innings into a home matchup against the Mariners next weekend.