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Rodon (9-5) took the loss against Toronto on Thursday, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over five innings.

Advice: Rodon was shellshocked in the first frame, giving up five runs before recording an out. He gave up three more runs in the second, all of which came on George Springer's second three-run homer of the game. Rodon at least managed to hang on for five innings to avoid depleting the Yankees' bullpen, but the damage was more than enough to result in his third straight loss. Rodon has allowed 20 earned runs across 13.2 frames during the losing streak, catapulting his season ERA up from 2.92 to 4.42. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:33 pm

Happ went 1-for-3 with two walks and a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants.

Advice: Happ reached base twice via walks earlier in the contest, but it was his home run in the 10th inning that proved critical. The outfielder broke open a 3-3 tie with his 10th long ball of the year, and the Cubs held on for the victory. Happ has now reached double figures in homers in each of his eight MLB seasons, making him a steady if not spectacular fantasy contributor across his career. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:42 pm

Carlos Rodon allowed eight runs in five innings and took the loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday.



Advice: Rodon gave up 10 hits, walked one and struck out eight. That Rodon was able to complete five innings and strike out eight batters were positives, but if fantasy managers weren’t concerned about him before this start, they certainly are now. Rodon has allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts and seen his ERA rise from 2.93 to 4.42. Rodon isn’t a big time strikeout pitcher like he was in his pre-Yankees career. His strikeout percentage is 23 percent this year compared to his 33 percent strikeout percentage with the Giants in 2022. Rodon had a 3.17 xFIP in 2021 with the White Sox and 2.91 xFIP in 2022 before his disaster 5.30 xFIP in his first year with the Yankees last year. His 4.34 xFIP this year is an improvement, but was also a sign that his ERA wasn’t going to remain below 3.00. This version of Rodon is also easier to hit as his 0.88 HR/9 in 2021 and 0.61 HR/9 in 2022 have turned into a 2.10 HR/9 in 2023 and a 1.54 HR/9 this year with the Yankees. There’s no way around the fact that Rodon’s $162 million pact with New York has become one of the biggest bust signings in the franchise’s long free agent history. The 31-year-old left-hander is set to face the Reds at home next week, but fantasy managers have to think about sending him to the bench if he wasn’t there already.

Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:43 pm

Ian Happ hit a go-ahead homer in the 10th to help give the Cubs a 5-3 win over the Giants on Thursday.

Advice: Happ gave the Cubs a 5-3 lead with a two-run shot off Luke Jackson to give Chicago the 5-3 lead and ultimately the victory. The 29-year-old had been scuffling as of late with just two hits in his last 21 at-bats coming into the contest, but he was able to procure his 10th homer and 41st and 42nd RBI in this one. Happ’s consistency is basically nonexistent, but he’s capable of going on streaks. Perhaps this is the start of a good one. Rotoworld Yesterday, 4:51 pm

Varsho is starting in center field and batting seventh Thursday against the Yankees.

Advice: Varsho tweaked his back during Saturday's loss and has had to sit out the Blue Jays' last three games, but he seems to be feeling better ahead of Thursday's matchup. The 27-year-old outfielder went just 1-for-19 with six strikeouts across his last five games prior to getting hurt. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:56 pm