• Aaron Civale allows one run in no-decision
    Aaron Civale held the Pirates to one run and three hits over five innings Sunday.

    Advice: The run came on a wind-aided homer from Bryan Reynolds. Civale allowed just three hard-hit balls, with the homer not actually being one of them. He didn’t factor into the decision, but the Rays managed to prevail in a Civale start for the first time since May 3; they had lost eight in a row. Civale has a respectable 3.94 ERA in his last six starts, but he’s still up at 5.20 for the year. Rotoworld Sunday, 2:14 pm
     
  • Takes loss despite quality start
    Cortes (4-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings against Atlanta. He struck out seven.

    Advice: Cortes mostly held the Atlanta bats in check to put together his third consecutive quality start and the ninth time this season he's struck out six or more batters, but the Yankees failed to provide any run support and Cortes was left with his sixth loss. Outside of a solo home run by Jarred Kelenic in the third, Cortes' only real trouble came in the fifth, when he allowed two runs on three hits. However, he finished his day strong by retiring all six batters faced in the sixth and seventh. Cortes has tossed 100.2 innings across 17 starts, accumulating 93 strikeouts. He'll take a 3.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to take place when the Yankees head to Toronto for a four-game weekend set against the division-rival Blue Jays. Rotowire.com Sunday, 2:06 pm
  • Nestor Cortes strikes out seven Braves in loss
    Nestor Cortes allowed three earned runs across seven innings Sunday against the Braves. He struck out seven and walked none as a tough-luck loser.

    Advice: Cortes was great Sunday, Max Fried was just better. Jarred Kelenic burned him for a short-porch home run early and then the bottom of the Braves’ lineup rallied in the fifth inning. Otherwise, Cortes was dotting his cutter on the edges all afternoon and kept the Braves’ big bats at bay. He’s had a fantastic season thus far with a 3.40 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings. Rotoworld Sunday, 1:05 pm
  • Allows one run in no-decision
    Civale did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings against the Pirates. He struck out three.

    Advice: Civale was pulled after having tossed a season-low 61 pitches over five effective innings, with the only blemish coming in the form of a Bryan Reynolds fourth-inning solo homer. It appears this was more of a managerial decision due to the heat and the Pirates having the top of the order coming up for a third time as opposed to any type of distress for Civale, who rebounded from his previous outing when he was chased after failing to complete four innings. Civale has struck out 79 in 76.1 innings this season and will carry a 5.42 ERA and 1.39 WHIP into his next start, currently slated to take place next weekend when the Rays welcome the Nationals to Tampa for a three-game set. Rotowire.com Sunday, 12:28 pm
     
  • Stuck with loss in quality start
    Crawford (3-7) took the loss Friday as the Red Sox fell 5-2 to the Reds, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.

    Advice: Some defensive misadventures by Boston softened the blow to the right-hander's ERA and allowed him to escape with his third straight quality start and eighth of the season, but it's hard to ignore the issues Crawford has had of late keeping the ball in the park. He's been tagged for multiple homers in three straight outings and served up at least one in seven straight, stumbling to a 5.36 ERA over the latter stretch despite a 1.19 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 40.1 innings. Crawford will try to turn things around in his next start, which lines up to come at home next week against the Blue Jays. Rotowire.com Saturday, 6:46 am
     
  • Tagged with seven runs
    Rodriguez (8-3) allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks over five-plus innings Friday, striking out eight and taking a loss against Houston.

    Advice: Rodriguez gave up runs in the first and second innings but the real damage didn't come until later. He coughed up a three-run shot to Jake Meyers in the fifth inning and was charged with two runs during Houston's nine-run sixth. Rodriguez saw his three-game winning streak come to an end while taking his first loss of the month. He's given up seven runs twice this season but has allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 outings, resulting in a 3.82 ERA overall. The 24-year-old righty is in line for a home matchup with Cleveland next week. Rotowire.com Saturday, 5:15 am
     
  • Grayson Rodriguez tagged for seven runs by Astros
    Grayson Rodriguez surrendered seven runs in five innings Friday in a loss to the Astros.

    Advice: Every time it looks like Rodriguez is ready to turn the corner and become an elite fantasy starter, something like this happens. Still, Rodriguez appears to be on the right path. Just three times this season has he allowed more than two earned runs, and while he’s been lit up for 18 runs in those three starts, he’s actually posted a 25/4 K/BB ratio in those outings. Rotoworld Saturday, 12:08 am
     
  • Kutter Crawford gives up three homers in loss
    Kutter Crawford surrendered five runs — three earned — in 6 1/3 innings Friday in a loss to the Reds.

    Advice: Crawford surrendered three homers tonight, bringing his total allowed to seven in his last three starts. He’s given up at least one in seven straight outings. Odds are that Crawford will bounce back from this, but he’s never been more than a fringy mixed-league option in a bad situation for pitchers. Rotoworld Friday, 10:40 pm
     
  • Justin Verlander (neck) has yet to resume throwing
    Astros’ manager Joe Espada told reporters on Friday that right-hander Justin Verlander (neck) has yet to resume throwing.

    Advice: There had been hope that he would resume throwing earlier in the week, but it’s taking much longer than expected for his neck discomfort to dissipate. At this point, there’s no clear timetable for when the 41-year-old hurler will be able to rejoin the Astros’ rotation. Rotoworld Friday, 2:18 pm