• Posts quality start Thursday
    Spence allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Thursday.

    Advice: Spence was victimized by Kansas City catcher Freddy Fermin, who who belted a pair of solo homers against him. However, Spence fared well against the remainder of the Royals lineup and finished with his second quality start of the campaign despite the two long balls he surrendered. Spence's seven strikeouts Thursday were a career-best mark and well above his season norm -- he entered the contest with either three of four punchouts in each of his previous six outings. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:53 pm
     
  • Notches save Thursday
    Stratton earned a save against the Athletics on Thursday by retiring both batters he faced.

    Advice: Regular closer James McArthur was deployed in a high-leverage situation in the seventh frame and ended up with the victory despite allowing two hits and two walks over one inning of work. That left the door to a save chance open for Stratton, who entered Thursday with three saves on the season but none since May 20. Stratton got the job done against Oakland in a tough spot, as he entered with two runners on base and just one out. The right-hander could see a few additional ninth-inning opportunities along the way, though McArthur remains the favorite for saves for the Royals. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:48 pm
  • Roughed up by Dodgers
    Blach (3-5) allowed five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out two batters over four innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Thursday.

    Advice: Blach was hit hard in the start -- five of the 10 hits he allowed, including three homers, went for extra bases. It was the first time this season he's served up three homers in an outing, and the five runs he allowed were the second-most he's surrendered in a start this season. Blach is off the fantasy radar given his home park and the fact that he's compiled a 5.13 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 54.1 innings this season. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:19 pm
    Ty BlachCOL - SP,RP
    5:40 pm vs WSH
     
  • Jeremiah Estrada winds up with win after BS
    Jeremiah Estrada took a blown save but ended up with a win after allowing two runs in the ninth Thursday against the Brewers.

    Advice: In Estrada’s defense, he really should have Christian Yelich struck out to begin the ninth, which probably would have led to a scoreless frame. Instead, he allowed two runs after surrendering two runs on a walk to Yelich and two hits. It was quite curious that the Padres decided to use Estrada and avoid Robert Suarez tonight. Both had worked the previous two days, but Suarez threw fewer pitchers in those outings, had, unlike Estrada, gone four straight days without working previously and is the older of the two by eight years. If we were the Padres, we’d consider Estrada the more important reliever of the two going forward. Suarez, though, is in the second year of a five-year, $46 million contract. Rotoworld Yesterday, 11:17 pm
  • Bryse Wilson gives up five runs to Padres
    Bryse Wilson surrendered five runs in 4 2/3 innings Thursday against the Padres.

    Advice: Wilson was supposed to lose this one, but the Padres let him off the hook in the top of the ninth, only to succumb in the bottom of the inning. The Brewers and everyone else know that Wilson belongs in middle relief, and the team might eventually get back to the point at which that is feasible. For now, though, he’ll stick in the rotation and face the Rangers next week. Rotoworld Yesterday, 11:17 pm
     
  • Records 12th save
    Phillips earned a save against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

    Advice: Phillips cruised to the save on 11 pitches, punching out two of the three batters he faced. It was the fifth straight scoreless and hitless outing for the closer, who has allowed an earned run in only two of his 21 appearances this season. Phillips is 12-for-12 in save chances this season -- he's the only MLB closer with that many saves who remains perfect in save opportunities. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:13 pm
  • Grabs win Thursday
    Baker (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Yankees on Thursday.

    Advice: Baker has covered five scoreless innings across four appearances since he was brought up from Triple-A Norfolk. He's posted a 2:1 K:BB while adding two holds, which suggests he's an option to see some high-leverage work while Danny Coulombe (elbow) is out for the next couple of months. Baker had a 6.55 ERA over 22 innings with Norfolk prior to his call-up, but he added five saves for the minor-league club. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:57 pm
  • Pitches well in no-decision
    Flexen allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Thursday.

    Advice: This was a nice bounce-back for Flexen after he allowed six runs (four earned) over 3.1 innings against Arizona in his previous start. The right-hander completed six frames Thursday for the first time since early May and finished with just his third quality start of the season. Flexen has had a tough time in his first campaign with the White Sox, posting a 5.03 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 73.1 frames. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:47 pm
     
  • Notches second save in as many days
    Hader earned a save against the Astros on Thursday, striking out two batters in one perfect inning.

    Advice: Hader threw 12 of 14 pitches for strikes, including eight whiffs. The save was his second in as many days, marking the second time this season he's accomplished that feat. Despite a middling 3.74 ERA, Hader has been effective this season, converting 11 of 12 save chances and posting a 52:10 K:BB over 33.2 innings. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:39 pm