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Kutter Crawford lasted only 4 1/3 innings and gave up six runs Friday in a loss to the Brewers.

Advice: Crawford allowed only five hard-hit balls on the night, but he couldn’t stop the bleeding in either the third or the fifth, giving up three runs each inning. After opening up with a 0.66 ERA in his first five starts, Crawford has come in at 4.64 in his last six outings. He’ll pitch in Baltimore next time out, making him a mediocre play in mixed leagues. Rotoworld Friday, 10:47 pm

Brown allowed one hit and two walks while striking out six over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Thursday.

Advice: Brown did a fine job, throwing 42 of 66 pitches for strikes while working on three days' rest. He's started five of his 12 appearances this season and now has a 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB over 39.1 innings. Kyle Hendricks' struggles opened up this chance for Brown to start, but he could find himself back in the bullpen once Jordan Wicks (forearm) is cleared to return. In any case, Brown appears to be near the top of the list for the Cubs whenever they have an opening in the rotation to fill. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:44 pm

Ben Brown tossed four shutout innings on Thursday in a no-decision against the Braves.

Advice: Brown took the ball on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field for a spot start in place of veteran Kyle Hendricks and finished with six strikeouts over four scoreless frames. The 24-year-old righty allowed just one hit and a pair of walks as he induced 10 swinging strikes, with nine of them coming on his curveball, and finished with a pedestrian 27 percent CSW. He’s pitched extremely well this season with a 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45/15 K/BB ratio across 39 1/3 innings (12 appearances, five starts). He’ll presumably take the ball on Tuesday against the division-rival Brewers and is worthy of a speculative roster spot in deeper mixed leagues. Rotoworld Thursday, 2:40 pm

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Brown will start Thursday's game against Atlanta at Wrigley Field, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Advice: Brown will pick up his fifth start of the season, filling the spot in the rotation that belonged to Kyle Hendricks before the veteran right-hander was moved to the bullpen earlier this week. Because he hasn't started since May 2 and will be pitching on three days' rest after covering two frames in relief Sunday, Brown may not be asked to give the Cubs more than three or four innings as he re-enters the rotation. Hendricks hasn't been used since his last start Friday and could be called upon to piggyback Brown, but Counsell hasn't outlined his plans for when Brown exits the contest. Brown may not be in line for a lengthy stay in the rotation, as the Cubs could get Jordan Wicks (forearm) back from the injured list next week to take over as their No. 5 starter. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:21 am

Austin Gomber tossed eight innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts in a no-decision against the Athletics on Wednesday.

Advice: Gomber was excellent against the A’s, holding them to one run over eight innings of work. The one mistake was a solo homer by JJ Bleday in the fourth inning. Gomber scattered four more hits and struck out six batters with no walks allowed. He was saddled with a no-decision after a blown save in the ninth. The 30-year-old left-hander will take an impressive 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 41/17 K/BB ratio across 58 2/3 innings into a start against the Guardians in Colorado on Monday. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:53 pm