Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
DJ Herz (WSN) vs MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 13 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 84 pitches.
We gotta talk about DJ Herz, who was as locked in as you could ever hope as he exploited the poor Marlins offense for 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 13 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 84 pitches. That’s a King Cole with thirteen strikeouts and if you didn’t have him rostered for this one, I’m sure it Herz, don’t it? Now that I imagine y’all have already added him to your teams, the question is what to expect moving forward. Was this just a Blame it on the Marlins or something more?
He deserved this success. You really can’t fan thirteen batters without deserving it, after all. In his previous outings, we saw Herz struggling to command the zone with his heater, leading to inefficient at-bats and getting himself into trouble. This was quite the opposite with 13/44 four-seamer whiffs as he landed the pitch consistently upstairs, setting up his changeup for a 45% CSW as the two played off each other brilliantly at a 10+ mph difference. Throw in some cutters and sliders as well, and you have yourself a dominant outing.
I have to preach some caution here as this outing was heavily reliant on Herz’s largest weakness turning into his greatest strength – fastball precision. We’ve seen the peak and valley now, but what does the plateau look like? And what if those 18 foul balls and 6 balls in play get evened out in the future? He’s obviously worth the add to see if this sticks, but it’s not as clear-cut of a stud pickup as I’d like it to be given its heavy reliance on command we haven’t seen prior + lack of dominant breaking pitch.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
George Kirby (SEA) vs TEX (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.
Aces. Gonna. Ace. Way to get there, Kirby. The four-seamer was, get this, mostly upstairs and out of the zone, and what was the result? I dunno, 10/38 whiffs. THAT’S WHAT’S UP. Combine that with sinkers and sliders for strikes (and a focus on sliders down-and-gloveside!) and you have yourself the ace that was promised. Get amped for the Marlins up next.
Jack Flaherty (DET) @ HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 73 pitches.
Flaherty received an injection for his back injury early last week and that should explain his 92+ mph velocity instead of the standard 94/95 we’re used to seeing these days. Meanwhile, his curve and slider were not located at the bottom of the zone per usual, and while the line suggests he should get that AGA tag, I want to wait one more start to ensure he’s back to normal. This was likely a start of getting back into the groove to make sure he can trust his back.
Trevor Richards (TOR) vs CLE (ND) – 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 31 pitches.
Richards opened and eventually led to Bowden Francis tossing 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks across 68 pitches and stealing the dub. That’s pretty lovely and it’s possible you can roll the dice on Francis vulturing Wins in the future. His heater + curve were far more precise than we’d seen lately.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs KCR (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 28 pitches.
Yoshi left this with triceps tightness and has been placed on the IL. Oh no. Yeah, this terrible news and awfully frustrating given how the Dodgers did everything they could to give him as much rest and preservation as possible. But who knows, maybe it’s not a major issue and he’s back within a month. I wonder who the Dodgers get at the deadline…
Jared Koenig (MIL) vs CIN (ND) – 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 9 pitches.
Koeing opened for Bryse Wilson, who turned in a strong performance of 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 74 pitches. Nothing truly special here, just your standard sinkers spotted decently well with cutters doing the rest of the work as the change and curve existed without making a peep. It’s a Werewolf type of arsenal, which is enough Spooky, Scary for me.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs STL (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 103 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. His heater was objectively worse in this one with middling shape and just 2/51 whiffs, but the splitter and the sweeper showed up. Yep, the sweeper. The sole concern I had about Imanaga was if his breaker would step up in a game where either his fastball or splitter (I had expected the splitter!) would need a helping hand in a given outing. 44% CSW on the sweeper with a 75% strike rate with 6/16 whiffs is exactly what we wanted to see. IM AN AGA for real.
Charlie Morton (ATL) vs TBR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 105 pitches.
Whoa, a “Gallows Pole!”?! This was the best version of Morton’s curve, but we also saw some heaters and cutters get whiffs, too, and it made us reminisce on the times Morton was a proper ace in the past. What days those were. He’s still a Cherry Bomb, of course.
Jose Quintana (NYM) vs SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
Ayyyy, he had it working! Changeups and curves down with fastballs well spotted on the edges is classic Quintana and it makes me a little encouraged to start him against the Cubs this week. Probably not, but I see the possibility.
Andre Pallante (STL) @ CHC (L) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 59 pitches.
He got the early hook despite generally pitching well and that’s a bit frustrating. Keep that in mind as he gets the Giants next – it seems like he could do well, but who knows how much they’ll actually let him pitch.
Scott McGough (ARI) vs CHW (ND) – 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 32 pitches.
We eventually saw 4.0 IP of Tommy Henry, who allowed five runs and continued to be a name you say “ohhh right, that guy!”
Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) vs PHI (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 99 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I’ve seen far better performances from Grayson’s four-seamer and changeup (location, not the slowball’s 42% CSW and 10/12 strikes!), but props to his curve and slider for stepping up when needed. The secondaries were the biggest question and while there is still some refinement left, the standard is absolutely at the high level of ace.
Trevor Rogers (MIA) @ WSN (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.
It’s kinda weird to see Rogers do all the right things – changeups low, sliders low, four-seamers delicately spotted – and return just four whiffs and three strikeouts. But that’s a Gold Star and let’s be happy for the man. This comes across as the peak against a poor lineup, making a capped ceiling that isn’t worth the floor.
Erick Fedde (CHW) @ ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 108 pitches.
This was a game of spotting everything around the edges with a Neckbeard approach merged with Canibal McSanchez and letting the Sneks get themselves out. Lovely work, now keep it going against the Tigers.
Seth Lugo (KCR) @ LAD (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 98 pitches.
Dude, YES. Savant says (and thus our Pitcher List player pages, too) Lugo tossed eight different pitches to finagle his way through this lineup. The curve was the biggest help of the lot, though solid cutter and fastball spots got him outs as well, and now we’re blessed with the Athletics and Marlins up next. What an unreal run this has been and I absolutely did not see it coming. I just saw a decent Toby last year and thought “sure, that’s fine for a 12-teamer.” It’s gonna fall at some point and I’ll stop saying that. Might be 2025 at this point.
Ty Blach (COL) vs PIT (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 78 pitches.
Blach…Blach?…Blach! I hope it was a lovely Birthday Party, sorry it came with a Philly.
Cooper Criswell (BOS) vs NYY (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
You know, that’s pretty solid from Criswell. Not enough for a Win as he inefficiently but effectively nibbled the edges (all three hits were on the edge or off it!), doing his part to keep a ton of runs on the board and keep the Sawx in the game.
Adam Mazur (SDP) @ NYM (L) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 6 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 84 pitches.
Six walks?! Yeesh, he’s supposed to be a control pitcher! True, though Mazur wasn’t unruly as we’ve seen other young arms. This was nibbling just a bit too far on the heater and slider with more strikes than you usually see with six walks. Darvish could be returning this week, effectively kicking Mazur out of the rotation. I think there’s a legit Toby in here in time, but he may ultimately be a Young Gun.
Keaton Winn (SFG) vs LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
All hits came on heaters (duh) as the splitter had its way once again in and out of the zone for 11/35 whiffs and 63% strikes. He really is the better version of Hurston Waldrep, sorry prospect fans. Eno is right.
Taijuan Walker (PHI) @ BAL (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 92 pitches.
That’s a fitting Philly and you look at the line wondering Why would I ever think this would work. I don’t know. Just stop trying to make Taijuan work, it’s not gonna happen. But he went sweeper + curve! Few cutters! Huh. That’s odd. And just 9/21 strikes on the sweeper. OKAY BUT–Nah. Don’t choose this hill, it has no loyalty to you, why make this a part of your identity?
Patrick Sandoval (LAA) @ SFG (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 98 pitches.
Blegh. The changeup and heaters were smacked over the plate as he got Singled Out in this one. Not that he didn’t throw poor pitches to deserve those hits, but the slider was effective and we’ve seen The Irish Panda survive with the same pitches in the past. Now he gets the Dodgers and send him back to the wire, of course.
Andrew Abbott (CIN) @ MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 94 pitches.
I find it really hard to talk about Abbott. It’s a mish-mash of meh that can work well at times, but it’s usually never terrible but never featuring anything that suggests he’s worth your attention. It just is. Fill your rooms with better decor.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) @ SEA (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 75 pitches.
Womp womp. Command was a little off, but at least we’re still 95/96 mph on the heater and packing a solid splitter. It’ll be better, don’t fret y’all.
Carlos Carrasco (CLE) @ TOR (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 81 pitches.
Yeah, let’s not. At all. CARLOOOSSSS!
Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 109 pitches.
We saw 96 mph heaters, but his breakers got hit in the middle of the zone and there’s yer problem. It happens, we keep rolling with Rodón, of course.
Ryan Pepiot (TBR) @ ATL (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
Awwww. The heater wasn’t located well and his breakers were acting like five-year-olds loose in a candy store, recording just 43% strikes between them. At least it’s the Pirates next and hopefully that gives him the confidence to pump heaters over the plate with confidence and get those numbers up. GOTTA GET EM UP.
Jared Jones (PIT) @ COL (L) – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 85 pitches.
Aces gonna…lose their tag. The heater/slider combo just isn’t as reliable and we have to recognize him to be a little more of a Cherry Bomb until the overwhelming stud factor returns. I also want to note that there’s something to be said about Coors reducing his four-seamer’s iVB massively that made the pitch easier to hit in this one, especially with its worse strike rate, but the slider’s mediocrity was a major factor, too. I still dig him and think he’ll recover, and I’ll be excited to hand him the label with a handshake once again.
Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) vs DET (L) – 1.1 IP, 7 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 48 pitches.
Oh jeez that was rough. Arrighetti’s command was all over the place and the Tigers swatted everything they could. I had him as the streamer for Sunday’s games, but with Verlander needing a break (so sad against the Tigers!), they bumped up Spencer a day and there’s an argument to be made that it caused the turbulence you see above. So here’s the thing: Arrighetti gets the Orioles next and we’re obviously putting him back on the wire there. But now that the Astros are without Urquiy, France, and Javier, Arrighetti’s pretty safe in this rotation unless they add someone at the break. Let’s see if his skills are back to normal next time against the Orioles, then reconsider him for the great schedule after, even if the bottom-line results aren’t great against the Orioles.
Game of the Day
Marcus Stroman vs. Kutter Crawford – Can Kutter keep up against another legit offense? Will Stroman coast to another Win and Quality Start?
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
Have Questions? – Join my morning Playback.tv livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
Absolutely amazing title! You’re the best!