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  • Strikes out eight in return from IL
    Luzardo (0-3) took the loss Saturday versus the Phillies, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He recorded eight strikeouts.

    Advice: Luzardo looked sharp in his return from the injured list, striking out eight while picking up an impressive 18 swinging strikes on just 79 pitches. He might have tired a bit in the sixth, giving up a double and a game-tying RBI single before being lifted with two outs and a runner on. That runner came around to score, adding another run to his ledger. While the ending of his night wasn't ideal, it was an encouraging performance from Luzardo against a tough lineup. His next start will come at home versus the Mets. Rotowire.com 35 minutes ago
     
  • Moves to 3-0
    Walker (3-0) earned the win Saturday against the Marlins, yielding just one run on eight hits and one walk over six frames. He struck out four.

    Advice: Walker went at least six innings for the third time in three starts since he returned from the injured list and he's picked up a victory in all three of those outings. The backing of the Phillies' offense has helped, of course, as Walker is sporting a 4.82 ERA. He's trending in the right direction, though, with back-to-back quality starts. He'll attempt to move his record to 4-0 next week against either the Mets or Nationals at home. Rotowire.com 46 minutes ago
     
  • Collects sixth save
    Jansen struck out two in a perfect inning Saturday to notch his sixth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

    Advice: After the Red Sox broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Jansen made quick work of the Nats in the top of the ninth with a groundout and a couple punchouts. The outing comes one day after Jansen was touched up for two runs in a non-save situation Friday. Jansen battled control issues early on in the season but has seemed to figure those out, putting up a 10:1 K:BB across his last six frames. Rotowire.com Today, 4:38 pm
     
  • Fans nine in no-decision
    Criswell did not factor into the decision Saturday versus the Nationals, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out nine.

    Advice: Criswell was dinged by a couple solo home runs; one in the second inning by Joey Meneses and another in the fourth hit by Eddie Rosario. He yielded only one other hit and no runs otherwise, though, and his nine punchouts were a career high. Criswell was pulled after five with his pitch count at just 79, as the Red Sox are continuing to keep a close eye on his workload as he transitions from the bullpen (he hasn't thrown more than 83 pitches in a start and has yet to record an out beyond the fifth inning). He's been awfully effective when on the bump, though, with his ERA actually going up to 2.10 after Saturday's outing. Criswell is slated to face his former club, the Rays, his next time out. Rotowire.com Today, 4:29 pm
    Cooper CriswellBOS - SP,RP
    W, 4-2 vs WSH
    New Player Note
     
  • Pete Fairbanks works scoreless frame in return
    Pete Fairbanks looked sharp in his return from the injured list on Saturday, retiring all three hitters that he faced against the Yankees.

    Advice: It wasn’t a save situation, but Fairbanks was given the ball with the Rays leading 7-2 heading into the ninth inning. He came on and got Anthony Rizzo to line out to first base, Gleyber Torres on a called third strike and Jose Trevino on a ground ball to short to end it — needing just 11 pitches (seven strikes) to get the job done. It looks like he’ll jump right back into the closer’s role for the Rays. Rotoworld Today, 4:27 pm
     
  • Zack Littell beats Yankees to improve to 2-2
    Zack Littell picked up his second victory of the season on Saturday, limiting the Yankees to two runs on four hits over 5 2/3 frames.

    Advice: The right-hander struck out three batters on the afternoon while issuing a pair of walks. All of the damage done against him came in the second inning, as Anthony Volpe smacked a two-out, two-run single with the bases loaded. Littell settled in beautifully afterwards, allowing his offense to battle back. He got eight swings and misses on 80 at-bats on the afternoon, registering a CSW of 25 percent. Now 2-2 on the season, he’ll tote a 3.02 ERA and 1.28 WHIP into Thursday’s battle against the Red Sox. Rotoworld Today, 4:27 pm
    Zack LittellTB - SP,RP
    W, 7-2 vs NYY
    New Player Note
     
  • Nestor Cortes struggles in loss to Rays Saturday
    Nestor Cortes struggled in Saturday’s loss to the Rays, giving up four runs on five hits over his 5 1/3 innings of work.

    Advice: Cortes punched out five batters on the afternoon, but also issued three free passes. The 29-year-old southpaw struggled to keep the baseball in the yard, giving up a leadoff homer to Yandy Diaz to start the home half of the first and then a three-run bomb to Randy Arozarena in the third — accounting for all of the damage done against him. Cortes generated 11 swings and misses on 89 pitches on the afternoon, posting a CSW of 31 percent. He’ll look to get back on track as he carries a 4.02 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 51/11 K/BB ratio (53 2/3 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the White Sox. Rotoworld Today, 4:27 pm
     
  • John Means allows four over 4 2/3 against D-Backs
    John Means allows four runs over 4 2/3 innings Saturday against the Diamondbacks while not factoring into the decison.

    Advice: Means was outstanding Saturday against the Reds. This outing would best be described as shaky at best. The left-hander gave up six hits, and he struck out three while not issuing a walk. The 31-year-old gave up a two-run homer to Ketel Marte in the third, and two more were charged to him after he exited with one out in the fifth. Means will try and bounce back Friday against the Mariners. Rotoworld Today, 4:20 pm
    John MeansBAL - SP
    W, 5-4 vs AZ
    New Player Note
     
  • Ryne Nelson allows 10 hits, three runs vs. O’s
    Ryne Nelson gave up three runs on 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Orioles on Saturday.

    Advice: Nelson didn’t walk anyone and he struck out three. He allowed a solo homer to Gunnar Henderson, and while he “only” allowed the three runs Saturday, he was pretty much in trouble throughout the outing. Nelson has a 5.33 ERA, and a chance to lower that comes Friday against the Tigers at home. Rotoworld Today, 4:20 pm