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  • Cristian Javier demolished in return from IL
    Cristian Javier was absolutely demolished in his return from the injured list on Saturday, giving up seven runs on five hits and four walks in just 1 1/3 innings of work.

    Advice: Yikes. None of the four outs that Javier did record came via the strikeout. He pitched around a couple of baserunners in the opening inning, but the second inning wasn’t as forgiving. There, Mark Canha belted a grand slam and Kerry Carpenter added a two-run shot that chased Javier from the ballgame. He threw 50 pitches (21 for strikes), getting just two swings and misses while posting a CSW of only 16 percent. Perhaps fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach before putting him back into lineups. Javier will do battle against the Athletics his next time out at home on Thursday. Rotoworld Today, 5:53 pm
     
  • Picks up second win
    Littell (2-2) got the victory Saturday versus the Yankees, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He notched three strikeouts.

    Advice: Littell came into this outing with zero walks over his last four starts and at least six strikeouts in all of those outings. While he went the other direction in both areas during Saturday's start, it was an effective outing nonetheless. Littell is sitting on a 3.02 ERA, but this was his first win since March 30. His next outing projects to come in Boston. Rotowire.com Today, 5:49 pm
    Zack LittellTB - SP,RP
    W, 7-2 vs NYY
    New Player Note
     
  • Yields four runs over 5.1 innings
    Cortes (1-4) took a loss Saturday in Tampa Bay, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

    Advice: Cortes has just eight walks all season coming into this outing and half of those came in his first two starts. He issued a season-high three free passes in this one and it's the first time since April 14 that he didn't go at least six frames. Cortes will try to bounce back his next time out in a favorable matchup at home against the White Sox. Rotowire.com Today, 5:41 pm
     
  • Strikes out eight in return from IL
    Luzardo (0-3) took the loss Saturday versus the Phillies, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He recorded eight strikeouts.

    Advice: Luzardo looked sharp in his return from the injured list, striking out eight while picking up an impressive 18 swinging strikes on just 79 pitches. He might have tired a bit in the sixth, giving up a double and a game-tying RBI single before being lifted with two outs and a runner on. That runner came around to score, adding another run to his ledger. While the ending of his night wasn't ideal, it was an encouraging performance from Luzardo against a tough lineup. His next start will come at home versus the Mets. Rotowire.com Today, 5:05 pm
     
  • Moves to 3-0
    Walker (3-0) earned the win Saturday against the Marlins, yielding just one run on eight hits and one walk over six frames. He struck out four.

    Advice: Walker went at least six innings for the third time in three starts since he returned from the injured list and he's picked up a victory in all three of those outings. The backing of the Phillies' offense has helped, of course, as Walker is sporting a 4.82 ERA. He's trending in the right direction, though, with back-to-back quality starts. He'll attempt to move his record to 4-0 next week against either the Mets or Nationals at home. Rotowire.com Today, 4:54 pm
     
  • Fans nine in no-decision
    Criswell did not factor into the decision Saturday versus the Nationals, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out nine.

    Advice: Criswell was dinged by a couple solo home runs; one in the second inning by Joey Meneses and another in the fourth hit by Eddie Rosario. He yielded only one other hit and no runs otherwise, though, and his nine punchouts were a career high. Criswell was pulled after five with his pitch count at just 79, as the Red Sox are continuing to keep a close eye on his workload as he transitions from the bullpen (he hasn't thrown more than 83 pitches in a start and has yet to record an out beyond the fifth inning). He's been awfully effective when on the bump, though, with his ERA actually going up to 2.10 after Saturday's outing. Criswell is slated to face his former club, the Rays, his next time out. Rotowire.com Today, 4:29 pm
    Cooper CriswellBOS - SP,RP
    W, 4-2 vs WSH
    New Player Note
     
  • Zack Littell beats Yankees to improve to 2-2
    Zack Littell picked up his second victory of the season on Saturday, limiting the Yankees to two runs on four hits over 5 2/3 frames.

    Advice: The right-hander struck out three batters on the afternoon while issuing a pair of walks. All of the damage done against him came in the second inning, as Anthony Volpe smacked a two-out, two-run single with the bases loaded. Littell settled in beautifully afterwards, allowing his offense to battle back. He got eight swings and misses on 80 at-bats on the afternoon, registering a CSW of 25 percent. Now 2-2 on the season, he’ll tote a 3.02 ERA and 1.28 WHIP into Thursday’s battle against the Red Sox. Rotoworld Today, 4:27 pm
    Zack LittellTB - SP,RP
    W, 7-2 vs NYY
    New Player Note
     
  • Nestor Cortes struggles in loss to Rays Saturday
    Nestor Cortes struggled in Saturday’s loss to the Rays, giving up four runs on five hits over his 5 1/3 innings of work.

    Advice: Cortes punched out five batters on the afternoon, but also issued three free passes. The 29-year-old southpaw struggled to keep the baseball in the yard, giving up a leadoff homer to Yandy Diaz to start the home half of the first and then a three-run bomb to Randy Arozarena in the third — accounting for all of the damage done against him. Cortes generated 11 swings and misses on 89 pitches on the afternoon, posting a CSW of 31 percent. He’ll look to get back on track as he carries a 4.02 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 51/11 K/BB ratio (53 2/3 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the White Sox. Rotoworld Today, 4:27 pm
     
  • John Means allows four over 4 2/3 against D-Backs
    John Means allows four runs over 4 2/3 innings Saturday against the Diamondbacks while not factoring into the decison.

    Advice: Means was outstanding Saturday against the Reds. This outing would best be described as shaky at best. The left-hander gave up six hits, and he struck out three while not issuing a walk. The 31-year-old gave up a two-run homer to Ketel Marte in the third, and two more were charged to him after he exited with one out in the fifth. Means will try and bounce back Friday against the Mariners. Rotoworld Today, 4:20 pm
    John MeansBAL - SP
    W, 5-4 vs AZ
    New Player Note