• Belts eighth homer
    Alvarez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, an additional run and a double in a 4-3 victory versus the Yankees on Thursday.

    Advice: Alvarez helped Houston get off to a quick start with his first-inning solo blast. He then knocked a double in the fifth inning and came around to score on a Jeremy Pena single. Alvarez had been mired in a bad slump coming into Thursday, going 3-for-32 over his past nine games since hitting two homers against Colorado on April 27. His season slash line of .245/.325/.448 remains well below his career norm. Rotowire.com 8 minutes ago
     
  • Takes loss Thursday
    Stroman (2-2) took the loss against Houston on Thursday, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings.

    Advice: Stroman got off to a poor beginning Thursday, giving up three first-inning runs on homers by Yordan Alvarez and Jon Singleton. He rebounded to keep Houston off the scoreboard over the following three frames before being tagged for another run in the fifth. Stroman at least allowed New York to keep within striking range, but this was his second time giving up four runs over his past three starts. The veteran right-hander has been only moderately effective for the Yankees thus far, posting a 3.80 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 40:22 K:BB through 42.2 innings. Rotowire.com 12 minutes ago
     
  • Records four-out save
    Hader earned a save against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over 1.1 scoreless innings.

    Advice: Hader was called upon with two outs and a runner on first with Houston protecting a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. He got Anthony Rizzo to pop out to end the frame, then completed the save with a scoreless ninth despite allowing a leadoff single. It was just the second time this season Hader was asked to get more than three outs, though he kept his workload relatively light by throwing 14 of his 18 pitches for strikes. The veteran closer's 5.63 ERA so far is well below his career standard, but he has converted four of his five save chances and has 25 punchouts over 16 frames. Rotowire.com 18 minutes ago
     
  • Improves to 4-0
    Blanco (4-0) earned the win over the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings.

    Advice: Blanco was a bit shaky with his control, as he threw just 62 of 107 pitches for strikes and tied a season high with four free passes. However, he allowed just one extra-base hit -- an Anthony Volpe two-run homer that accounted for both runs against him. Blanco thus improved his perfect record to 4-0 on the season, and he's allowed three or fewer runs in all seven of his starts. He's also recorded five quality starts on the campaign, falling one out shy in each of his two outings during which he hasn't met that mark. Blanco has cemented his place in Houston's rotation with a 2.23 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB through 44.1 innings. Rotowire.com 24 minutes ago
    Ronel BlancoHOU - SP,RP
    W, 4-3 @NYY
     
  • Goes deep in second straight game
    Conforto went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Thursday in a loss to the Rockies.

    Advice: Conforto accounted for San Francisco's only run with a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning. It was his second homer in as many days following a 12-game stretch without a long ball. Conforto's power has run hot and cold this season -- he went deep three times over his first five games of the campaign, then homered just twice over his subsequent 29 contests before his current two-game long-ball streak. Rotowire.com 31 minutes ago
  • Slugs fourth homer
    Doyle went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, an additional run and a double in Thursday's 9-1 win against the Giants.

    Advice: Doyle keyed a seven-run fourth inning for Colorado with a 430-foot, three-run blast to center field. The long ball ended a 21-game homerless stretch for the outfielder, and he had notched just one RBI over that span. Doyle has been one of the most productive hitters for Colorado this season, though, slashing .276/.317/.455 with four home runs and a team-leading 22 runs and four stolen bases. Rotowire.com 34 minutes ago
     
  • Demolished in Denver
    Winn (3-5) took the loss against Colorado on Thursday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out one batter over 3.2 innings.

    Advice: Winn actually carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning, but things completely unraveled for him in that frame. The Rockies teed off on the right-hander for six straight hits -- including two doubles, a triple and a homer -- before he was able to record an out, with the damage resulting in six runs. Winn momentarily recovered to retire two batters before Charlie Blackmon ended his outing with another triple. After recording three straight quality starts and victories to end April, Winn has been blown up for 12 runs over 4.1 frames across his past two starts. Rotowire.com 40 minutes ago
     
  • Notches second straight victory
    Quantrill (2-3) earned the win over San Francisco on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

    Advice: The only run and only extra-base hit Quantrill allowed came on a fourth-inning Michael Conforto solo homer. The right-handed hurler was otherwise in control throughout, as no other baserunner reached third base against him. Quantrill picked up his second straight win, and he has five quality starts over his past six appearances. That gives him some fantasy viability, but given his home park, mediocre strikeout numbers and season 3.94 ERA, he's probably still best reserved for deeper leagues. Rotowire.com 46 minutes ago
     
  • Dairon Blanco homers, swipes two bags in victory
    Dairon Blanco went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer, two steals and four runs scored as the Royals topped the Angels 10-4 on Thursday.

    Advice: Blanco’s homer was his first, but his steals were his ninth and 10th in just 34 plate appearances this season. At this point, it certainly seems like he deserves a shot over the remains of Hunter Renfroe, and if he gets it, he’ll likely be an impact player in mixed leagues, thanks to his SB ability. He’s 38-for-44 stealing bases in 99 games as a major leaguer. Rotoworld Today, 9:45 pm