• Mitch Spence gives up six runs to Angels in loss
    Mitch Spence was tagged for six runs in 5 1/3 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Angels.

    Advice: Spence has strictly alternated good and bad outings in eight starts since joining the A’s rotation, so if you like to put any stock in that kind of thing, he could bounce back while facing the Angels again next time out. We’d continue to shy away, though. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:38 pm
     
  • Cole: velocity dip versus Mets intentional
    Gerrit Cole said after Tuesday’s start that he’s healthy and that he intentionally dialed back his velocity tonight after a long first inning.

    Advice: Cole topped out at 98.9 mph in the first tonight, but he was often throwing 92-93 mph in the second. He did pick it up some in the end, throwing his final fastball 95.3 mph, but it was an awfully discouraging performance. It’s good to know he doesn’t think he’s hurt, though. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:19 pm
  • Hunter Brown picks up fifth win vs. Rockies
    Hunter Brown allowed two hits over six scoreless innings while striking out seven to earn the win over the Rockies.

    Advice: Brown was allowed to keep things in cruise control after his offense provided him five runs in the bottom of the first. The righty moved his season record to 5-5 on the year and saw his ERA drop to 4.37. Brown has enjoyed a solid June, allowing just four earned runs over 31 innings pitched while posting a 36:8 K:BB ratio. He picked up four wins along the way and will look to get off to a strong start in July when he toes the rubber on Monday against the Blue Jays. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:00 pm
  • Gomber allows five earned runs in loss to Astros
    Austin Gomber allowed eight hits and five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings in Tuesday’s loss to the Astros.

    Advice: Gomber was tuned up for six hits and five earned runs in the first inning, as the Astros sent all nine hitters to the plate against the Rockies’ lefty. It was a flurry of singles off Gomber that resulted in the five-run frame, with the last resulting in a two-RBI hit by Chas McCormick. Gomber needed 33 pitches to get through the inning but later settled in to pitch 4 1/3 scoreless frames the rest of the way. Still, the early disaster proved to be too much for Gomber, as the Rockies managed just six hits on the night against the Astros. Gomber has allowed four earned runs or more in each of his last four starters. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for starters next Monday, as he’s set to start against the Brewers. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:57 pm
  • David Peterson loses command in no decision
    David Peterson allowed one run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Yankees.

    Advice: Peterson also struck out eight but walked five on the day. He was gifted a 6-1 lead, but he was unable to pitch deep enough to get the win as he walked two straight batters after getting the first out in the fifth inning and was removed before facing a right-handed batter. The left-hander had an impressive 31 percent whiff rate and 30 percent CSW on the day, but he struggled to find the zone with his fastball and now has 10 walks over his last three starts. He hasn’t been consistent since coming off the IL, but he has flashed some swing-and-miss that could keep him on the streaming radar. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:37 pm
     
  • Cole allows four home runs in loss
    Gerrit Cole allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings in a loss to the Mets on Tuesday.

    Advice: There’s a fair amount to be concerned about here. The Yankees ace walked four and struck out nobody on the day. His fastball sat 95.4 mph on the day which was down 1.3 mph from his first start. He hit 98 mph in the first inning but by the third inning, he threw only four fastballs and just one was over 94 mph. Home runs hit by Mark Vientos and Harrison Bader were on fastballs that were 91.5 and 93.2 mph. Given that Cole’s elbow injury to start the year involved some nerve issues, there’s a concern that there remains a lingering impact on Cole’s health or performance. It could also just be one bad start, but this is the second outing of his career that he did not strike out any batters and the other was on May 20, 2016, so it’s certainly a performance we want to take note of. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:32 pm
  • Graham Ashcraft starting Wednesday vs. Pirates
    Graham Ashcraft will start on Wednesday against the Pirates.

    Advice: Ashcraft will get the call back to the majors to take the ball in place of Nick Lodolo, who landed on the injured list with a blister issue. The 26-year-old righty holds a lackluster 5.05 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 49/21 K/BB ratio across 62 1/3 innings (12 starts) this season in the big leagues. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:27 pm
     
  • Headed to majors
    The Reds will recall Ashcraft from Triple-A Louisville to start against the Pirates on Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    Advice: Ashcraft had been one of the candidates to replace Nick Lodolo (finger) in the Reds' rotation, and it now appears the spot is officially his. Ashcraft was optioned to Triple-A earlier in the month after putting up a 5.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 62.1 innings over 12 starts, and he's bounced back nicely with Louisville, giving up four earned runs in 12 innings while striking out 12 batters and walking two. The 26-year-old righty will almost certainly make multiple starts during his stint with the Reds, but he'll likely be pushed back to Triple-A once Lodolo returns from the IL. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:25 pm
     
  • Mitch Keller escapes with win over Reds
    Mitch Keller allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in 5 2/3 innings in a win over the Reds on Tuesday.

    Advice: Keller struck out six and walked three on the day; however, he got just eight whiffs on 48 swings for a 17 percent whiff rate and 29 percent CSW. Keller’s command was good in this one, which led to 22 called strikes and helped him get through without the most dynamic stuff. He’ll look for a smoother ride against the Cardinals next time out. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:15 pm