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Spencer Howard earned the win for the Giants on Monday after throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings and striking out eight to finish a 10-inning game against the Cubs.

Advice: It’s simply hilarious that the Giants fired Gabe Kapler for too aggressively using platoons and openers and generally doing non-traditional stuff, and now they have Bob Melvin essentially running the team the exact same way. The Giants used Erik Miller as an opener for the third time in 10 days tonight and then brought in three other relievers before turning to Howard in the fifth and letting him finish the game from there. It goes as Howard’s first win since July 2022. His eight strikeouts topped his previous career high by three, even though he had started 31 big-league games coming into tonight. Rotoworld 37 minutes ago

Howard (1-1) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight over 4.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Monday.

Advice: Howard again worked as a reliever, and he didn't enter the game until the fifth inning. He was able to lock things down for the Giants, enabling their comeback. Howard is now at a 3.80 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB over 21.1 innings across six appearances (two starts). San Francisco's rotation is an injury-riddled mess, and that's unlikely to change until July, so Howard will probably continue serving as a bulk reliever. He should be available to make an appearance in this weekend's series versus the Dodgers. Rotowire.com 42 minutes ago

Ragans (5-5) earned the win over Miami on Monday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out 11 batters over six innings.

Advice: Ragans racked up 27 swings-and-misses -- the most by any pitcher in baseball this season -- en route to his first win since May 22. Despite the five-game stretch of starts without a victory, the southpaw has been pitching well, as he posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB during the drought. Ragans' 11 punchouts Monday were his second-most this season, and he ranks third in MLB with 120 strikeouts on the campaign. He is also tied for third in the majors with 12 quality starts. Rotowire.com 58 minutes ago

Crochet took a no-decision against the Dodgers on Monday, allowing five hits and striking out six batters over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Advice: Crochet was on his game with 16 whiffs and six punchouts against one of MLB's top offenses, but Dodgers starter James Paxton traded scoreless frames with him, and both hurlers had to settle for a no-decision. Crochet continues to impress in what has been a breakout first campaign as a starter -- he lowered his ERA to 3.05 with Monday's outing and ranks second in the league with 130 strikeouts. The southpaw has given up three or fewer earned runs while going at least five frames in 11 consecutive starts. Rotowire.com Today, 10:09 pm

Phillips earned a hold against the White Sox on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.

Advice: It was somewhat surprising to see Phillips -- who is the Dodgers' primary closer -- used in the eighth frame, but there was plenty of sense behind the move given that the White Sox were bringing up the heart of their order. Phillips got through the inning unscathed despite allowing a one-out double to Luis Robert, and Alex Vesia earned his fourth save with a clean frame in the ninth. Phillips' usage Monday suggests that manager Dave Roberts isn't opposed to using him before the ninth inning in the highest-leverage situations, but the right-hander should still receive the vast majority of save chances for Los Angeles. He's been one of the most reliable closers in baseball this year with a perfect 12-for-12 mark in save opportunities along with a 1.66 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. Rotowire.com Today, 9:50 pm