Zach Duke : August 27th, 2008, 5:35 pm est

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