Jeff Francis picked up a rare win Thursday, permitting two runs on six hits and three walks over six innings in a 9-6 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out five and didn't allow any runs to cross the plate until a two-run shot from J.P. Arencibia in the seventh inning. It's only Francis' fifth win of the year and just his second in his last 13 outings. He also has just two quality starts in his last eight trips to the hill. Francis will bring a 4.82 ERA into next week's start against the Tigers.

Jeff Francis was lit up by the Red Sox Friday, giving up five runs on 11 hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out just one and served up a three-run shot to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The veteran left-hander has now permitted double-digit hits in three of his last four starts and has given up a total of 21 runs over that time to push his ERA all the way up to 4.89, the highest it's been since early May. Francis has another tough matchup next week in Toronto.

Jeff Francis got shelled by the White Sox on Sunday, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks in just 3 2/3 innings of a Royals loss. Francis' bad afternoon drops him to 4-13 on the season, and balloons his ERA from 4.51 to 4.76. The non-quality start was his fifth in sixth outings. He has a tough matchup lined up for Friday, where he will get the Red Sox at home.

Jeff Francis dropped to 4-12 after allowing four runs in seven innings Tuesday against the Rays. He struck out four, walked none and gave up five hits, including a two-run homer to Evan Longoria. Longo was a major thorn in Francis' side, as he drove in all four runs scored in the game. Now the owner of a 4.51 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, Francis will get the White Sox on the road this weekend.

The Royals are fielding calls on starting pitchers Jeff Francis, Bruce Chen and Kyle Davies, according to the Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton. All three are backup options for contenders, according to Dutton, and any deal involving them wouldn't happen until Sunday's deadline. Francis is just 4-11, but his 4.38 ERA and 1.33 WHIP aren't bad. There are worse fifth starters on a few contenders. The same goes for Chen, who had a 3.30 ERA before he got knocked around by the Red Sox in his last start and saw it balloon to 4.29. We can't imagine a contender would have interest in Davies.

Jeff Francis shut out the Indians for eight innings to earn his fourth win Friday. This will make him a bit more interesting as a trade possibility. Francis is just 4-11, but his 4.38 ERA and 1.33 WHIP aren't too bad. There are worse fifth starters on a few contenders.

Jeff Francis allowed two runs on four hits in six innings of work on Sunday, getting out-dueled by Justin Verlander in Kansas City's 2-1 loss to the Tigers. He struck out six and walked one in falling to 3-10 on the season. He's deserved most of those losses, but he didn't today. Through 19 starts and 115 1/3 innings, he is now the owner of a 4.60 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.

Jeff Francis allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings of work on Monday evening, taking a no-decision in Chicago's 5-4 loss to the White Sox. Francis also had the indignity of allowing a hit to Adam Dunn, making him just the second left-hander all season to do so. He struck out four and walked none in his second quality start in three outings. Now the owner of a 4.69 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, Francis will get the Tigers at home this weekend.

Jeff Francis dropped to 3-9 after allowing four runs -- three earned -- in five innings Monday against the Padres. Francis, a longtime Rockies starter, fell to 5-13 against the Padres in his career. He's 53-46 against everyone else. After a nice May, the left-hander has struggled of late, losing four of his five starts this month. The Royals will stick with him, but there's little reason for fantasy leaguers to do the same.

Jeff Francis was quality on Wednesday evening, allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings of work, but it wasn't enough for the Royals in a 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks. Francis struck out two and walked none in his second quality start in four June outings. Now 3-8 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, he has a good matchup lined up for his next time out, where he will get the Padres in San Diego.