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Sonny Gray SP | BOS
Cardinals' Sonny Gray: Crushed for six runs in loss
Gray (4-2) took the loss against the Brewers on Thursday, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings.
The Brewers got to Gray early and often, scoring three times off the right-hander in the first inning before tacking on single runs in the second, fourth and fifth frames. Gray allowed season highs in hits (seven), runs (six) and home runs (three) in the contest and also failed to go at least six innings for the first time in his last five starts. He now holds a 4.50 ERA in May to go along with a 12:2 K:BB.
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Ben Lively SP | CLE
Guardians' Ben Lively: Hangs tough but takes loss
Lively (1-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.
It appeared Lively could be in for a short outing after giving up three runs on five hits (including three doubles) and a walk over his first two frames, but the right-hander recovered to go 5.2 innings without giving up another run. The three runs were a season high, which speaks to how well Lively has pitched through five appearances on the season. He holds a 2.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across 27.1 innings.
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Erick Fedde RP | CHW
White Sox's Erick Fedde: Bounces back with scoreless outing
Fedde (3-0) earned the win over Cleveland on Thursday, allowing six hits and striking out three batters over six scoreless innings.
It appeared Fedde's surprising effectiveness to begin the campaign could be coming to an end after he gave up five runs over 4.1 frames versus St. Louis his last time out, but he rebounded strongly with six scoreless innings Thursday. All six hits against the right-hander were singles, but he did need a little help to escape without a run on his ledger, as Jordan Leasure held off the Guardians after relieving Fedde with no outs and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning. Fedde's poor career track record provides a logical reason for fantasy managers to question how long he can keep pitching well, but he's exceeded expectations so far with a 3.00 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 44:14 K:BB through 45 innings covering eight starts.
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Marcus Stroman SP | NYY
Yankees' Marcus Stroman: Takes loss Thursday
Stroman (2-2) took the loss against Houston on Thursday, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings.
Stroman got off to a poor beginning Thursday, giving up three first-inning runs on homers by Yordan Alvarez and Jon Singleton. He rebounded to keep Houston off the scoreboard over the following three frames before being tagged for another run in the fifth. Stroman at least allowed New York to keep within striking range, but this was his second time giving up four runs over his past three starts. The veteran right-hander has been only moderately effective for the Yankees thus far, posting a 3.80 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 40:22 K:BB through 42.2 innings.
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Ronel Blanco SP | HOU
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Improves to 4-0
Blanco (4-0) earned the win over the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five batters over 5.2 innings.
Blanco was a bit shaky with his control, as he threw just 62 of 107 pitches for strikes and tied a season high with four free passes. However, he allowed just one extra-base hit -- an Anthony Volpe two-run homer that accounted for both runs against him. Blanco thus improved his perfect record to 4-0 on the season, and he's allowed three or fewer runs in all seven of his starts. He's also recorded five quality starts on the campaign, falling one out shy in each of his two outings during which he hasn't met that mark. Blanco has cemented his place in Houston's rotation with a 2.23 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 41:20 K:BB through 44.1 innings.
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Keaton Winn RP | SF
Giants' Keaton Winn: Demolished in Denver
Winn (3-5) took the loss against Colorado on Thursday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out one batter over 3.2 innings.
Winn actually carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning, but things completely unraveled for him in that frame. The Rockies teed off on the right-hander for six straight hits -- including two doubles, a triple and a homer -- before he was able to record an out, with the damage resulting in six runs. Winn momentarily recovered to retire two batters before Charlie Blackmon ended his outing with another triple. After recording three straight quality starts and victories to end April, Winn has been blown up for 12 runs over 4.1 frames across his past two starts.
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Cal Quantrill RP | TEX
Rockies' Cal Quantrill: Notches second straight victory
Quantrill (2-3) earned the win over San Francisco on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five batters over six innings.
The only run and only extra-base hit Quantrill allowed came on a fourth-inning Michael Conforto solo homer. The right-handed hurler was otherwise in control throughout, as no other baserunner reached third base against him. Quantrill picked up his second straight win, and he has five quality starts over his past six appearances. That gives him some fantasy viability, but given his home park, mediocre strikeout numbers and season 3.94 ERA, he's probably still best reserved for deeper leagues.
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Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Struggles with command vs. Arizona
Greene did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on four hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Greene's final line ultimately could've looked a lot worse after he issued a season-high five walks. The 24-year-old Greene has given up nine free passes over his last two starts (10.2 innings), though he's managed to hold opponents to just three runs in that span. Overall, he's 1-2 on the season with a 1.24 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB through eight starts (45.1 innings). Greene's currently slated for a rematch with the Diamondbacks on the road in his next outing.
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Slade Cecconi SP | CLE
Diamondbacks' Slade Cecconi: Solid vs. Cincinnati
Cecconi did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.
Cecconi was sharp Thursday, blanking the Reds until Jeimer Candelario's solo home run in the fifth inning. It was a nice bounce-back outing from the 24-year-old right-hander after he gave up six runs in 4.1 innings during a loss to San Diego in his previous outing. Overall, Cecconi is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through his first four starts (21.2 innings). He figures to remain in the rotation while Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) are sidelined. Cecconi's currently in line for a home rematch with the Reds in his next outing.
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Pablo Lopez SP | MIN
Twins' Pablo Lopez: Wins third straight
Lopez (4-2) earned the win Thursday over the Mariners, allowing one run on four hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out 10.
Lopez was excellent Thursday, holding Seattle to a lone second-inning run while recording a season-high 10 strikeouts. After an inconsistent start to the campaign, Lopez looks to be settling in -- he's won his last three starts while holding opponents to one run in back-to-back outings. He lowered his ERA to 3.89 with a 0.98 WHIP and a stellar 55:8 K:BB across eight starts (44 innings) this year. Lopez is currently slated for a home matchup with the Yankees in his next outing.