• Jose Altuve doubles twice as Astros defeat Tigers
    Jose Altuve went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a run scored on Friday evening, helping to lead the Astros past the Tigers.

    Advice: Altuve got a rally started with a leadoff double off of Tarik Skubal to begin the sixth inning. He then scored the game’s first run on Alex Bregman’s ensuing RBI triple. Altuve also drew a walk in the ballgame, reaching base safely in three of his four plate appearances. With his two-hit attack, the 34-year-old second baseman is now slashing an outstanding .298/.349/.453 to go along with 10 homers, 26 RBI and nine stolen bases on the season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:09 pm
    Jose AltuveHOU - 2B
    L, 1-2 vs LAA
     
  • Scratched Friday
    Cruz was scratched from the Pirates' lineup ahead of Friday's game versus Colorado due to left ankle soreness, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

    Advice: The 25-year-old was initially slated to start at shortstop, but it will instead be Jared Triolo making his first career start at short. Cruz will get some time to recover from a tweaked ankle he suffered during Thursday's contest. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:12 pm
    Oneil CruzPIT - SS
    L, 5-9 vs SF
     
  • Oneil Cruz (ankle) scratched from lineup on Friday
    Oneil Cruz was scratched from the Pirates’ starting lineup on Friday night due to a sore ankle.

    Advice: Cruz tweaked his ankle again while running the bases during Thursday’s game and just wasn’t quite ready to give it a go on Friday night. He’s considered day-to-day. Jared Triolo will start in his place at shortstop and bat eighth for the Pirates at Coors Field on Friday evening. Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:08 pm
    Oneil CruzPIT - SS
    L, 5-9 vs SF
     
  • On bench against southpaw
    Lowe is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

    Advice: With the Rays facing a left-handed pitcher for the second consecutive night, Lowe will be held out of the starting lineup once again Friday. Jonny DeLuca will draw another start in right field and bat sixth. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:48 pm
    Josh LoweTB - OF
    L, 5-8 vs BOS
     
  • Nabs 10th save
    Yates picked up the save over the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out three.

    Advice: Yates had a bit of a hard time getting through the ninth after entering the contest with a two-run lead, surrendering a leadoff walk to Teoscar Hernandez on five pitches and advancing him to second base on a balk. However, the veteran reliever made short work of the next three batters, getting all three to go down swinging as he secured his 10th save in as many chances. Yates has been solid in the closer role for Texas thus far and holds a 1.11 ERA on the campaign. He's also recorded multiple strikeouts in three of his last four appearances and has yet to surrender a home run in 2024. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:04 am
     
  • Kirby Yates whiffs three in save against Dodgers
    Kirby Yates struck out three in a scoreless ninth to get a save against the Dodgers on Thursday.

    Advice: Yates did allow a walk, but this was a much better effort than the one he had Wednesday when he picked up a save but was fortunate to not blow the opportunity. The right-hander has been outstanding for the overwhelming majority of 2024, and this scoreless outing gives him a 1.11 ERA along with 10 saves. He isn’t giving up this closing gig. Not anytime soon, anyway. Rotoworld Thursday, 10:09 pm
     
  • Key knock as pinch hitter
    Lowe went 1-for-1 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored Thursday against the Cubs.

    Advice: Lowe began the game on the bench with lefty Justin Steele on the mound but entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. He made an immediate impact with an RBI single and also tallied his first stolen base of the season. Lowe has gone only 2-for-18 since being activated from the injured list June 5 while striking out eight times. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:13 pm
    Josh LoweTB - OF
    L, 5-8 vs BOS
     
  • Crushed in loss
    Nola (8-3) took the loss to the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing eight runs on 11 hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 3.2 innings.

    Advice: Nola had two disastrous innings, allowing four runs in both the second and fourth. The fourth inning was especially rough, as he surrendered a three-run homer to Tyler O'Neill and was unable to complete the frame. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the eight earned runs allowed by Nola tied a career high, and his season ERA climbed from 2.77 to 3.48. Despite the rise in ERA, Nola had previously rattled off five consecutive quality starts and owns a 1.08 WHIP and 78:24 K:BB in 14 outings. He will look to rebound next week in a home matchup with the Padres. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:42 pm
    Aaron NolaPHI - SP
    W, 11-4 vs TEX
     
  • Logs another quality start in win
    Houck (7-5) earned the win against the Phillies on Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over six innings.

    Advice: He tossed three scoreless innings then loaded the bases and surrendered a three-run double to Kyle Schwarber in a rough fourth. Houck rebounded with two more scoreless frames to earn his fifth straight quality start and received plenty of offensive support, as the Red Sox tagged Aaron Nola for eight runs. Houck has now allowed three or fewer earned runs in 13 of 14 starts and has been one of baseball's biggest breakouts so far in 2024. On the season, he owns a 2.08 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 89:15 K:BB in 91 innings. Houck lines up to start next week against the Blue Jays. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:40 pm