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  • First MLB start coming Tuesday
    Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

    Advice: Just as Rob Thomson suggested would be the case shortly before Spencer Turnbull's (lat) placement on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Mercado is the next man up in the Philadelphia rotation. He should stick around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready to come off the IL, as Turnbull is projected to miss 6-to-8 weeks and won't factor into the rotation mix anytime soon. The 25-year-old Mercado made his a one-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut last week, but he had been operating as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to his June 23 call-up and shouldn't be facing any major restrictions with his pitch count Tuesday. Mercado -- who has posted a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB in 47.1 innings at Triple-A this season -- lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing set to come next Sunday in Atlanta. Rotowire.com Today, 4:38 pm
     
  • Jhoan Duran silences Mariners to net 12th save
    Jhoan Duran fired a perfect ninth inning on Sunday against the Mariners to collect his 12th save of the season.

    Advice: Duran turned in a scoreless outing for the 10th time in 12 appearances since the start of June as he needed just 19 pitches (13 strikes) to slam the door in this one. The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty has converted 12 of his 13 save opportunities this season to accompany a solid 3.51 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 23/8 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings (27 appearances). Rotoworld Today, 4:32 pm
     
  • Tyler Holton steps in to record one-out save
    Tyler Holton recorded a one-out save on Sunday against the Angels.

    Advice: Holton got the call to record the final out of Sunday’s showdown against the Angels after Shelby Miller unexpectedly melted down in spectacular fashion, nearly blowing a six-run lead by giving up a three-run homer to Zach Neto and a two-run dinger to Jo Adell before being mercifully lifted. Fortunately, Holton was able to come on and strike out Nolan Schanuel to put out the fire and end the contest. Rotoworld Today, 4:05 pm
     
  • Roughed up in loss
    Hendricks (1-6) took the loss Sunday against the Brewers, surrendering seven earned runs on seven hits and one walk in 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

    Advice: Hendricks kept the Brewers off the scoreboard over the first three innings before a disastrous fourth inning in which he gave up seven earned runs, including a grand slam to Brice Turang. The 34-year-old veteran was enjoying a renaissance in June, pitching to a 1.27 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP, and a 16:4 K:BB across 21.1 innings before Sunday's disaster. The right-hander will have to go back to the drawing board to improve his ugly 7.48 ERA. His next start is tentatively scheduled for next weekend against the Angels. Rotowire.com Today, 4:00 pm
     
  • Paul Sewald lowers ERA to 0.54 on Sunday
    Paul Sewald struck out two in a perfect ninth inning on Sunday against the Athletics.

    Advice: It was a non-save situation, with Arizona leading by four runs entering the final frame, but Sewald remained locked-in nonetheless, needing just 13 pitches (11 strikes) to end the game. The 34-year-old righty has reeled off 17 consecutive scoreless appearances since giving up one run back on May 7 in his season debut. He’s converted all 11 of his save chances this season and boasts a microscopic 0.54 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 15/3 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings (18 appearances). Simply put, he’s still one of the top closers in the entire fantasy landscape. Rotoworld Today, 3:52 pm
     
  • Luis Medina completes six frames vs. Diamondbacks
    Luis Medina allowed one run over six innings on Sunday in a no-decision against the Diamondbacks.

    Advice: Medina traded zeroes with Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt for a couple frames at the outset of the contest before giving up a run-scoring single to Christian Walker in the fourth inning. He nearly touched triple-digits with his four-seam fastball, and also piled up an impressive 14 swinging strikes, finishing with a strong 33 percent CSW. The hard-throwing 25-year-old righty has shown some flashes of big-time potential, but has been really inconsistent from a run-prevention standpoint since making his season debut back on June 2. He’ll bring a lackluster 5.63 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 17/12 K/BB ratio across 24 innings (five starts) into a challenging home outing on Saturday against the Orioles. Rotoworld Today, 3:50 pm
    Luis MedinaOAK - SP,RP
    L, 1-5 @AZ
    New Player Note
     
  • Earns sixth save
    Hoffman struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save Sunday vs. Miami.

    Advice: Hoffman allowed a runner to reach on an error but was otherwise solid in picking up his sixth save. Jose Alvarado leads the Phillies with 12 saves this season, but Hoffman has gotten the occasional opportunity. No matter the role, Hoffman has proven to be one of the most reliable bullpen weapons for the Phillies this season, posting a 1.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Rotowire.com Today, 3:49 pm
     
  • Spencer Bivens shines Sunday in first career start
    Spencer Bivens struck out three over five innings of one-run ball on Sunday in a win over the Dodgers.

    Advice: Bivens flummoxed Los Angeles’ star-studded lineup for four frames in his first career start, and also got plenty of run support from San Francisco’s lineup, which put up nine runs on 12 hits through four frames to open the contest. A one-out solo shot from Chris Taylor in the fifth inning represented the lone tally against him in this one. It was an impressive showing for the unheralded 30-year-old journeyman who holds a stellar 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14/4 K/BB ratio across 14 innings (six appearances, one start). No guarantees yet, but Bivens is in line to face the Guardians on Saturday, and represents an increasingly intriguing streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues. Rotoworld Today, 3:35 pm
     
  • Fans 11 in no-decision
    Crochet came away with a no-decision Sunday against the Rockies, allowing two earned runs on five hits and zero walks while striking out 11 over seven innings.

    Advice: Crochet's workload was a major question entering this one -- reports earlier this week stated his workload was "going to start dwindling". The 25-year-old threw 88 pitches and made it through seven-plus innings for the third time this season, temporarily quieting the concerns. The White Sox will be cautious with Crochet ahead of the trade deadline, but he remains a must-start as long as he is active. The southpaw owns a 3.02 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and a league-leading 141 strikeouts over 101.1 innings this season. He is tentatively scheduled for a road start in Miami next weekend. Rotowire.com Today, 2:53 pm
    Garrett CrochetCWS - SP,RP
    L, 4-5 vs COL
    New Player Note