

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was knocked around against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, taking the loss in a 4-0 defeat. Buehler pitched just 3 IP and allowed three runs. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out two. The 29-year-old was making his second start on the season after coming back from Tommy John surgery, and although it wasn't a disastrous outing, it certainly wasn't encouraging either. His limited pitch count and overall rustiness are to be expected, but fantasy managers were likely looking for a step in the right direction from his last outing, and that didn't happen on either front. It might be a while before we see the Walker Buehler that competed for a Cy Young, if we even see him at all this year.


Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange got destroyed on Sunday, allowing four runs in just IP in a 9-3 loss to the Houston Astros. Lange allowed five hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout. The 28-year-old had been pitching well recently and seemed to be making a case to be re-inserted into the closer discussion, but a lot of that goodwill went away today with this disastrous performance. The Tigers will likely continue to use Jason Foley in the ninth inning, although they don't seem to fully trust him of late. Still, a lack of other options makes Foley the go-to guy for now.


St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley cruised to his 12th save on Sunday, slamming the door on the Milwaukee Brewers in a 4-3 win. Helsley pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out a pair in the process. The fireballer has been one of the best closers in baseball this season, converting 12 of his 13 save opportunities (his only blown save came on his first chance) while pitching to a 1.42 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 19 IP. He should remain an elite closing option as long as he can stay healthy.


Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen tossed a clean ninth inning to pick up the save in a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals. Jansen allowed just a hit in his inning of work, with no walks or strikeouts to account for. The veteran closer pitched on a third consecutive day for the first time this season, a move made possible because of his sparse usage in May, with only one other appearance before this weekend. Although he's had a few shaky outings, Jansen has been mostly solid for the Red Sox this season and should continue to see the bulk of their save opportunities. He is a good closing option in fantasy.


San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish was excellent again on Sunday, tossing seven shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 4-0 victory. Darvish allowed just two hits and one walk while punching out seven in this one. The 37-year-old is turning back the clock since returning from neck tightness in late April, going 3-0 in his three starts while not allowing any runs and generating a 15:2 K:BB ratio. Darvish is always a tough pitcher to analyze, but he is a must-start while he is on this heater. Looking to sell high on the righty might be a shrewd move, but it is also a risk.
