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  • Sharp in third win
    Criswell (3-2) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out five.

    Advice: He gave up a leadoff double to Matt Vierling and watched him come around to score, then had Vierling rip another two-bagger off him to begin the fifth inning, but Criswell shut down the Detroit offense in between. It was a strong rebound from the right-hander after he got tagged for seven runs in his next outing, and Criswell will take a 3.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB through 43.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend against the White Sox. Rotowire.com 2 minutes ago
     
  • Notches three-inning save
    Ortiz gave up a hit over three scoreless innings of relief Saturday to record his first career save in an 8-1 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out three without walking a batter.

    Advice: With the Pirates coming off a 14-inning game Friday and holding a five-run lead when he took the mound, Ortiz gave the rest of the bullpen a much-needed breather by wrapping things up by himself. The right-hander has been effective in long relief -- he's pitched two or more innings in five of his last six appearances, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB over 14 innings during that stretch. While his role doesn't afford him much high-leverage work, he does have two wins and a hold this season in addition to Saturday's unconventional save, and Ortiz has value in deep NL-only formats due to his bulk Ks and respectable ratios. Rotowire.com 48 minutes ago
     
  • Evan Phillips quiets Rockies to collect ninth save
    Evan Phillips tossed a perfect ninth inning on Saturday against the Rockies to collect his ninth save of the season.

    Advice: Phillips got the call to protect a three-run lead in the final frame and required just 11 pitches (seven strikes) to slam the door. The 29-year-old righty picked up his first save since returning from the injured list ahead of Friday’s series opener and remains one of the better closing options in the entire fantasy landscape. Rotoworld Today, 3:46 am
     
  • Cody Poteet collects win Saturday against Giants
    Cody Poteet was charged with three runs (two earned) on Saturday in a win over the Giants.

    Advice: Poteet struck out six and only issued one walk. He gave up only three hits as a two-run homer by Casey Schmitt and a run-scoring single from Brett Wisely accounted for all of the damage against him. The 29-year-old righty has pitched well in a pair of spot starts for New York and figures to remain in the big leagues for the next few weeks until Gerrit Cole (elbow) is ready to make his season debut. Despite his encouraging early results, he’s not a recommended fantasy option when he faces the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup on Friday in his next outing. Rotoworld Today, 3:19 am
     
  • Secures seventh save
    Neris earned a save against the Reds on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over one inning.

    Advice: Neris gave up a one-out single in the ninth inning but was able to wrap up his seventh save. The right-hander had allowed a run in each of his previous two outings, so this was a promising frame for him. The save was his first since May 4. Only one other Cubs pitcher picked up a save during that time -- and that was in an extra-inning game -- so Neris' role as the team's closer remains solid. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:11 pm
     
  • Returns from bruised elbow
    Megill (elbow) threw a perfect inning while striking out three Saturday against the White Sox.

    Advice: Megill appeared in the seventh inning in a tied game. Megill was struck on the right elbow by a comebacker in Tuesday's loss to the Cubs. X-rays came back negative, but he still needed a few days off. It looks like he's back to full speed and should step back into the closer mix despite appearing earlier in the game Saturday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:09 pm
     
  • Gets save in first outing since IL
    Phillips pitched a perfect inning and struck out one to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

    Advice: This was Phillips' first appearance in nearly a month due to a hamstring strain. He looked rust-free, throwing 11 pitches (seven strikes) to set down the bottom of the Rockies' order for his ninth save of the season. Phillips has a 0.61 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB over 14.2 innings, and he's yet to take a blown save this year. It doesn't appear he'll be eased into the closer role again, not that he needs to be handled with kid gloves considering his track record in high-leverage spots over the last two years. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:59 pm
     
  • Neris picks up seventh save Saturday
    Hector Neris tossed a scoreless inning and picked up the save against the Reds on Saturday.

    Advice: The save was Neris’ seventh of the season. No one is going to confuse Neris with a shutdown closer. Even with the two strikeouts and no walks on Saturday, he has a SO:BB of 18:15 in 21 innings this season. Neris’ ERA is 3.00 but his xFIP is 5.10. He’s valuable in fantasy as long as he’s getting saves for the Cubs, but he’s shaky and that could catch up to him sooner rather than later. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:39 pm
     
  • Grabs win Saturday
    Poteet (2-0) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Giants on Saturday.

    Advice: Poteet's previous appearance this season came as the 27th man in a doubleheader before he was returned to the minors. He dealt with a finger blister before he was called up, but he was sharp Saturday, throwing 47 of 78 pitches for strikes. Poteet is an option to replace Clarke Schmidt (lat) in the rotation moving forward, and this start likely bodes well for Poteet sticking in a starting role. He's tentatively projected for a tougher home start versus the Dodgers next week. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:19 pm