Duke got absolutely no run support in this gem, but the outing should be a confidence-booster for the inconsistent left-hander. He'll look to build on this effort and chip away at his 5.14 ERA next time out in Cincinnati.

News: The Pirates lost their season-high seventh in a row Wednesday and 11th in 13 games despite one of Zach Duke's few effective starts since the All-Star break. Pittsburgh is 7-18 since trading leading run producer Jason Bay to Boston on July 31. Duke (4-13), who lost his ninth consecutive decision, took a shutout into the seventh. Winless in 14 starts since beating Arizona 5-3 June 9, Duke gave up seven hits in eight innings -- the longest of his 27 starts. The left-hander went 0-3 against the Cubs in five starts. "I felt like I did pretty well, especially against that offense, but (Jason) Marquis was on his game so there's not a lot I could do," Duke said. All four of Duke's victories are at home, but he has lost his past six decisions there. Duke is winless in his last nine starts against the Cubs.

Analysis: Duke remains a long-term project for the Pirates, but he is not a trustworthy option down the stretch. His next start is at Cincy in Fantasy Week 23 (Sept. 1-6), so obviously dangerous

Zach Duke held the Cubs to just two runs in eight innings Wednesday, but still took the loss. It was the first time Duke has finished eight innings this entire season, and was just his third quality start in twelve attempts dating back to June. Duke is working on perfecting a new windup, but he shouldn't be expected to suddenly enjoy major league success. His next start is against the Reds, who scored just one run off Duke in their last matchup despite hitting .316 off him.

Even though Zach Duke took the loss against the Cubs today, he performed very well. Duke lasted eight innings while striking out six. The Cubs did all of their scoring in the seventh inning and swept the three game series against the Pirates.Duke dropped to 4-13 on the season with today's loss.

Alan Robinson, of The Associated Press, reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke lost his ninth straight decision Wednesday, Aug. 27. He gave up seven hits in eight innings, which was his longest start in 27 starts this year. Duke is 0-3 against the Chicago Cubs in five starts this season and has lost his last nine starts against them.

Even though Zach Duke took the loss against the Cubs today, he performed very well. Duke lasted eight innings while striking out six. The Cubs did all of their scoring in the seventh inning and swept the three game series against the Pirates.Duke dropped to 4-13 on the season with todays loss.

Pirates.MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke is 4-4 with a 3.16 ERA against the Chicago Cubs in his career. However, he's 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA against them this season.

Zach Duke credits a new over-the-head windup for the mild success he had in his last start. Duke only let up four runs in six innings on Friday and seemed pretty satisfied with himself. Baby steps. "We're definitely going in the right direction," he said. "The ball had life out of my hand. It's comforting to know that when you're trying stuff to get better that it works. It's a weight off the mind."Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Paul Meyer, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke will start Wednesday, Aug. 27, against the Chicago Cubs.

News: Pirates SP Zach Duke lost again Friday at Milwaukee to fall to 0-8 in his last 13 starts. He allowed four runs on six hits and two walks, striking out four. He now has a 7.68 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break.

Analysis: Duke has long-term potential still as a control-and-command lefty, but he is nothing more than a high-risk option for the deepest of NL-only leagues down the stretch of this season. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Cubs

Duke hasn't shown any sort of consistency in his last nine starts, posting an 8.25 ERA with just two quality starts. He's given up at least one long ball in every start during the stretch, so it's hard to imagine he'll get out of his Aug. 27 start at home against the powerful Cubs without serving up a homer.

Colin Fly, of The Associated Press, reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke lost for a career-high eighth straight decision Friday, Aug. 22. He has not won a decision since June 9.

Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke will be looking for his fifth career win against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Aug. 22. However, Duke has not recorded a victory since June 9.

MLB.com reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke (4-11, 5.26 ERA) will start Friday, Aug. 22, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Todd Krise, of MLB.com, reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke could be moved to the bullpen in September.

The Associated Press reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke will be retained in the starting rotation despite an 0-5 record and 7.97 ERA in his last six starts, according to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington. "He's now going through a tough stretch," said Huntington. "We're going to try to work through it with him."

News: Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington said Zach Duke will remain in the starting rotation despite the left-hander's 0-5 record with a 7.97 ERA in six second-half starts. "He's now going through a tough stretch," Huntington said. "We're going to try to work through it with him."

Analysis: Duke has long-term potential still as a control-and-command lefty, but he is nothing more than a high-risk option for the deepest of NL-only leagues down the stretch of this season

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke allowed six runs on nine hits over six innings Saturday Aug. 16, against the New York Mets, according to The Associated Press. He walked none and struck out two, falling to 4-11 on the season. Duke is winless in 12 starts and is 0-5 with a 7.97 ERA during the second half of the year.

News: Pirates SP Zach Duke, coming off two consecutive quality starts, allowed three runs in the first inning in a loss to the Mets on Saturday. He retired 13 of 14 batters during one stretch but allowed six runs and nine hits in six innings, striking out two. The left-hander, winless in 12 starts, dropped to 0-5 with a 7.97 ERA in the second half. "He was missing his spots early," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "He took two to three innings to get into a rhythm. He can't do that. When that happens, the damage is already done."

Analysis: Duke has four wins and a 5.26 ERA overall and obviously doesn't deserve to start in anything but deeper NL-only formats right now. He still has upside, but you can't count on it showing up this year. His next start is scheduled for Friday at Milwaukee

Not only is his 5.26 season ERA undesirable, but his 8.56 ERA in his last eight starts should put him off your radar. He doesn't fan too many hitters, so Duke just doesn't have much fantasy value. Don't think of starting him on Aug. 22 against the Brewers at Milwaukee¿s Miller Park.

Zach Duke allowed eight hits over six innings to the Mets on Monday, and though he allowed five runs, only three were earned in the no decision.Duke owns a 5.10 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP over 24 starts and simply has been unable to offer much value to his fantasy owners.

News: Zach Duke allowed eight hits and five runs in six innings for the Pirates Monday. He was headed for his sixth consecutive loss before Pittsburgh rallied.

Analysis: Duke has been a wild disappointment this season for the lowly Pirates and is currently nothing more than a risky starter for the deepest of NL-only leagues right now

Duke has pitched somewhat better lately, as he's allowed five earned runs in 13 innings over his last two starts. Then again, this is a guy who posted a 9.51 ERA in July, and hasn't won since June 9. It's probably not a good idea to start him when the Mets get another look at him on Aug. 16.

Zach Duke allowed five runs -- three earned -- over six innings Monday, as the Mets' bullpen took him off the hook for a loss. The Pirates committed three errors behind Duke, leading to a pair of unearned runs, but he also allowed eight hits and left trailing. Duke is 4-10 with a 5.10 ERA overall, including 0-6 with a 6.41 ERA in 11 starts since a victory over the Diamondbacks on June 9.

MLB.com reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke (4-10, 5.13 ERA) received the start Monday, Aug. 11, against the New York Mets.

Bob Baum, of The Associated Press, reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke lost his fifth straight start Tuesday, Aug. 5. Duke only allowed two runs and gave up a season-low four hits in seven innings. He also struck out six and walked one, but is 0-6 in his last 10 starts.

Duke was very efficient in this one, throwing 60 of his 93 pitches for strikes while posting his first quality start in his last eight outings. That said, the 25-year-old lefty will have to string together quite a few performances like this one to regain his owners' trust, as he finished June having gone 0-4 with an unsightly 9.51 ERA in 29 1/3 frames. He's next scheduled to take the mound on Aug. 12 at home against the Reds.

The pitchers hit the mound and engaged in a strong battle of wits and strength this evening, but the D'backs pulled the victory and left Pittsburgh LHP Zach Duke with frustration. Duke pitched seven innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts.It's tough to take a loss on such a strong performance, but the offense wasn't there to bring it through. Coming off a horrific month of July, going 0-4 over six starts, it's a disappointing result to a performance that may have reversed his fortunes.

MLB.com reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Zach Duke (4-9, 5.27 ERA) will start Tuesday, Aug. 5, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.