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  • Sets tone in Thursday's win
    Duran went 4-for-5 with a solo home run, an additional RBI, one walk and two total runs scored in Thursday's 14-2 win over the White Sox.

    Advice: Duran has multiple hits in four of his last five games, and he's gone yard in back-to-back contests. His homer Thursday came on Jake Woodford's second pitch of the game in the first inning, setting the tone for the Red Sox in their blowout win. Duran is up to five homers on the year, and he's added 27 RBI, 38 runs scored, 11 stolen base and a .271/.336/.465 slash line over 286 plate appearances. While he continues to split time between left field and center field, there's no questioning Duran's place in the lineup this season. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:02 pm
     
  • Lacks command in loss
    Gray (7-4) allowed three runs on two hits and four walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings to take the loss versus the Rockies on Thursday.

    Advice: The four walks were a season high for Gray, and he also uncorked two wild pitches, one of which allowed a run to score in the fifth inning. Gray's control issues have manifested with five straight starts where he's allowed multiple walks, and he's failed to complete six innings in any of his last four outings. The right-hander is now at a 3.21 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 82:19 K:BB over 61.2 innings through 11 starts this season. Gray is projected to make his next start at home versus the Pirates. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:29 pm
     
  • Jarren Duran posts four hits, homers vs. White Sox
    Jarren Duran went 4-for-5 with a leadoff homer and two RBI on Thursday, leading the Red Sox to a 14-2 blowout victory over the White Sox.

    Advice: Duran spearheaded Boston’s 24-hit barrage on Thursday evening at Guaranteed Rate Field with a tone-setting leadoff homer against White Sox starter Jake Woodford. He also added a sixth-inning sacrifice fly and matched a season-high with four hits. It was the first time he’s accomplished the feat since back on April 3. The 27-year-old top-of-the-order table-setter has five homers and 11 steals on the season through 63 games. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:54 pm
     
  • Gray allows three in loss Thursday
    Sonny Gray allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings and took the loss against the Rockies on Thursday.



    Advice: Gray gave up two hits, walked four and struck out five. It was an uneven start for Gray, who threw 89 pitches. He had two wild pitches, one of which allowed a run to score. Gray also had a pitch clock violation. While his ERA increased to 3.21 on the year, his xFIP is much lower at 2.64. The 34-year-old right-hander will look to bounce back against the Pirates at home next week. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:51 pm
     
  • Takes second loss
    Assad (4-2) allowed five runs on seven hits across 5.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Reds. He walked two and struck out seven.

    Advice: Assad flashed his skill with the seven strikeouts, which tied for his second most in a game this year, but he was ultimately done in by a three-run Elly De La Cruz home run in the third inning. The righty still has a solid 2.74 ERA and 68 strikeouts across 69 innings this season, as he's performed well in his first extended run as a full-time starter for the Cubs. Assad will attempt to bounce back in his next scheduled start, which tentatively lines up for next week against the Rays on the road. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:34 pm
     
  • Assad allows five in loss to Reds Thursday
    Javier Assad allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings and took the loss against the Reds on Thursday.



    Advice: Assad gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out seven. He was replaced by Luke Little in a 4-4 game in the sixth inning and the run that scored on TJ Friedl’s RBI double was charged to Assad. The five earned runs were the most allowed in any start by Assad this year. His ERA is now 2.74, but his xFIP is significantly higher at 3.98. The 26-year-old right-hander is set to face the Rays on the road next week. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:47 pm
     
  • Lopez allows two in no-decision Thursday
    Reynoldo Lopez allowed two runs in six innings and got a no-decision in the Braves’ 5-2 victory over the Nationals on Thursday.



    Advice: Lopez gave up six hits, walked one and struck out seven. CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas hit back-to-back home runs off him in the sixth inning. The home runs Lopez allowed were his third and fourth of the season (0.57 HR/9). Only Ranger Suarez and Luis Gil have a lower ERA than Lopez’ 1.85 (min. 50 innings), though his xFIP is significantly higher at 3.71. He has eight quality starts but he’s only won three of his 11 starts this year. The 30-year-old right-hander is set to face the Orioles on the road next week.

    Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:56 pm
     
  • Stanek pitches scoreless ninth to get save vs. A’s
    Ryne Stanek didn’t allow a hit while picking up a save Thursday against the Athletics.

    Advice: Stanek got the save chance with Andres Munoz (back) unavailable Thursday. The right-hander didn’t pick up a strikeout, but he was able to lower his ERA to 3.52 while procuring his fourth save of the season. If Munoz can’t go over the weekend against the Royals, Stanek could get more chances. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:14 pm
     
  • Sharp in third win
    Kikuchi (3-5) earned the win Thursday over Baltimore, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: Kikuchi held the Orioles scoreless through his first five innings, ultimately allowing a lone run on an Adley Rutschman solo home run in the sixth. It was an encouraging rebound effort from the 32-year-old left-hander, who'd given up 10 earned runs over just 8.1 innings in his previous two outings. Kikuchi lowered his ERA to 3.48 on the campaign with a 1.22 WHIP and 71:15 K:BB across 13 starts (72.1 innings). Kikuchi is currently scheduled to face the Brewers on the road in his next outing. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:01 pm