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Pivetta (4-5) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on seven hits and a walk over four-plus innings in a 9-2 loss to the Padres. He struck out four.

Advice: The right-hander was cruising through four innings, but San Diego erupted for all nine of its runs in the fifth before Boston's pitching staff was able to secure an out. Pivetta served up a two-run homer to Kyle Higashioka to begin that offensive outburst, and he's been taken deep five times in his last three starts, stumbling to a 6.46 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over that stretch despite a 13:3 K:BB in 15.1 innings. Pivetta will try to keep the ball in the park in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Miami. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:14 pm

Neris (7-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the win in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning victory over the Giants.

Advice: Neris went through a rough patch earlier this month but has pitched better lately, tossing scoreless innings in consecutive outings with four total strikeouts. The veteran once again didn't see a save opportunity, as that went to Porter Hodge on Thursday, but it was encouraging to see Neris still work in a high-leverage spot. He figures to remain Chicago's closer moving forward, though he could be replaced if his struggles resurface. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:23 pm

Zack Littell allowed two runs on four hits in five innings in a win over the Mariners on Tuesday.

Advice: Littell also struck out six and walked one while registering 14 whiffs on 38 swings for a 37 percent whiff rate and 33 percent CSW. His only mistake was on a two-run home run by Ty France in the fifth inning. That’s two straight solid starts for Littell, who has not pitched more than five innings since June 9th. He’ll take a 4.17 ERA into a start against the Royals next week. He can be started in most fantasy leagues for that one. Rotoworld Tuesday, 6:35 pm

Tanner Bibee struck out seven and was charged with two runs (one earned) over six innings on Monday in a win over the Orioles.

Advice: Bibee kept things rolling from a strikeout standpoint in this one, recording at least seven strikeouts for the sixth time in his last seven outings dating back to May 19. The 25-year-old righty generated 14 swinging strikes, with half of them coming on his four-seam fastball, and finished with a solid 27 percent CSW. He’s continued to lean a bit more on his curveball a bit more in recent outings, which coincides with the recent uptick in strikeouts, and he appears primed for a strong second half of the year. He’ll bring a solid 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 106/22 K/BB ratio across 87 1/3 innings (16 starts) into a road matchup on Saturday against the Royals. Rotoworld Monday, 6:26 pm

Cortes (4-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings against Atlanta. He struck out seven.

Advice: Cortes mostly held the Atlanta bats in check to put together his third consecutive quality start and the ninth time this season he's struck out six or more batters, but the Yankees failed to provide any run support and Cortes was left with his sixth loss. Outside of a solo home run by Jarred Kelenic in the third, Cortes' only real trouble came in the fifth, when he allowed two runs on three hits. However, he finished his day strong by retiring all six batters faced in the sixth and seventh. Cortes has tossed 100.2 innings across 17 starts, accumulating 93 strikeouts. He'll take a 3.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to take place when the Yankees head to Toronto for a four-game weekend set against the division-rival Blue Jays. Rotowire.com Sunday, 2:06 pm