What happened: Freddy Peralta said he was proud of what he did over the last month after earning AL Pitcher of the Month honors. He said the finish came from adjustments he made late in the season and framed the surge as part of a longer process.

Why it matters: A starter carrying award-level form into October can change a series quickly and reduce pressure on the rest of a pitching staff. Peralta's comments also suggest the late-season jump was tied to repeatable changes rather than a one-start spike.

What to watch: The next read comes in his first postseason outing or any announced role, which will show whether that late-season version carries forward. October results will decide whether the final-month run becomes a bigger story than the award itself.