• Dominant in win
    Javier (3-1) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, pitching six shutout innings while allowing two hits and one walk. He struck out eight.

    Advice: Javier came out firing Thursday, striking out five of the first eight batters he faced before finishing with a season-high eight punchouts on the night. The right-hander threw first-pitch strikes to only nine of the 21 batters he faced, but he also produced 15 whiffs as he cruised to his third win of the season. It was a nice return to form for Javier, who was shelled for seven runs in his first start after returning from the injured list a week ago. The quality start was his third of the campaign, while it also marked the second time this season he's allowed two or fewer hits in an outing. Rotowire.com Today, 4:08 am
  • Javier picks up third win vs. A’s
    Cristian Javier struck out eight in six shutout innings and picked up the win in the Astros’ 8-1 victory over the Athletics on Thursday.

    Advice: Javier allowed only two hits and a walk. It was a good bounce back start for him after he had allowed seven runs against the Tigers in his last start. Javier lowered his ERA to 3.23 on the season. He’ll face the Angels at home in his next start. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:57 pm
  • Fans seven but takes loss
    Houck (3-5) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings.

    Advice: Houck made it through three scoreless frames before giving up an unearned run in the fourth. The right-hander had a 2-1 lead when he exited with two outs and two runners on base in the sixth, but Greg Weissert gave up consecutive hits in relief to saddle Houck with two more runs (only one of which was earned) along with the loss. Despite the defeat, Houck gave Boston a solid chunk of innings again -- he's completed at least 5.2 frames in each of his nine outings this season. He's pitched much better than his 3-5 record suggests with a 2.17 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 57:11 K:BB through 58 innings. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:17 pm
     
  • Struggles in short start
    Morton (3-1) took the loss Wednesday versus the Cubs, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.

    Advice: Morton worked a high pitch count, needing 76 pitches (48 strikes) to get through three frames in his shortest outing of the season. He had pitched into the sixth inning in each of his other seven starts. The 40-year-old's poor start caused his ERA to balloon to 3.52 from 3.14, and he's sporting a 1.15 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB over 46 innings. Assuming there's not an injury at play, Morton is tentatively projected for a road rematch with the Cubs in his next start. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:14 pm
     
  • Charlie Morton chased after three innings
    Charlie Morton had a rough start Wednesday allowing three earned runs in just three innings. The Cubs had five hits while Morton walked three more and struck out four.

    Advice: Mike Tauchman homered on the first pitch he saw from Morton and nothing was easy after that. Even the unearned he allowed was on his own poor pick-off attempt wide or Matt Olson at first base. It’s still been a solid season overall for Morton and he’ll take a 3.52 ERA into a rematch against these Cubs on Monday. Rotoworld Wednesday, 7:47 pm
     
  • Tanner Houck punches out seven in 5 ⅔ innings
    Tanner Houck couldn’t get through the sixth inning against the Rays, but still managed to strike out seven and allow just two earned runs in a loss Wednesday. He also gave up five hits and three walks.

    Advice: Houck was humming along until back-to-back singles in the sixth inning sent Alex Cora to the bullpen with Houck at 112 pitches, the highest total of his career. Greg Weissert then allowed both inherited runners to score, spoiling Houck’s chance for a victory. Still solid, he’s looked more mortal in his last three starts with a 3.86 ERA and 20.0 K%. Rotoworld Wednesday, 7:23 pm
     
  • Ryan Helsey records 13th save in win over Angels
    Ryan Helsley recorded his 13th save with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Tuesday.

    Advice: Helsley pitched a whole lot during April, but it definitely hasn’t caused any problems yet; he’s posted his best velocity numbers of the year his last two times out, averaging 101.0 mph with his fastball on Sunday and 100.7 mph tonight. He’s gone 14 straight appearances without allowing an earned run and the one unearned run he’s given up during the stretch was an automatic runner in the 10th inning. Rotoworld Tuesday, 11:24 pm
     
  • Earns save No. 13
    Helsley allowed a hit and struck out two without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Angels.

    Advice: Helsley has a win and six saves during his nine-inning scoreless streak, a span that's seen him allowed six hits and one walk while striking out 11. The right-hander is 13-for-14 in save chances this season with a 1.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 23:2 K:BB over 20 innings. Helsley seems to be benefiting from being the standalone closer as opposed to part of a committee. His career high in saves is 19 in 2022, a mark he should be able to shatter as long as he doesn't add to his lengthy injury history. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 10:25 pm
     
  • Return this weekend not ruled out
    Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that it's "possible" that Rodriguez (shoulder) will return from the 15-day injured list to make a start this weekend against the Mariners, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

    Advice: Rodriguez got through a 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday with no issues and felt fine the day after. The right-hander will throw another bullpen session in the coming days, but his next step beyond that hasn't yet been determined. Rodriguez has been out since the beginning of May with right shoulder inflammation. Rotowire.com Monday, 1:24 pm