Austin Powers

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Wednesday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.  

Austin Gomber vs WSH (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 83 pitches.

I’m not going to spend a whole lot of time on Austin Gomber’s opening bit after he dominated the Nationals for 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 83 pitches on Wednesday. Was I thrilled to see his slider earn 7/24 whiffs and a 38% CSW? Absolutely. I was equally smirking for his heater and changeup to combine for ten whiffs as well, and for all this to occur inside Coors.

I’ve considered Gomber a solid streaming option on the road and against most offenses. There’s a chance he’s doing so well with his stuff that it doesn’t matter if he pitches in Colorado and I’ll be keeping a close eye on it — we saw those secondaries dominate for stretches last year, too. Sadly, I have bad news as he’s heading into Oracle Park next and considering “Getting Gomber’d” is apparently a thing now in the fantasy community, it may be best to skip that outing.

All of this is to say for you to be smart about Gomber moving forward, despite the team he plays for. There’s legit talent in that repertoire that can help Gomber perform at this impressive level frequently.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Zack Wheeler vs TEX (ND) – 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 78 pitches.

Velocity jumped back up to 96.2 mph and his four-seamer was dominant. It wasn’t as well commanded as I like to see, nor was the slider its best self, but the Rangers couldn’t handle the heat and there’s your bedtime story. It was awfully short, Cool Uncle Nick. And so are you bucko, now get to bed. I’m stoked to see Wheeler earn some success, I just want it to come with the whole package: pristine fastball command and those sliders off the corner. Otherwise, it’s more like 2019/2020 Wheeler than 2021. Please come back.

Frankie Montas vs TB (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 103 pitches.

I think we all expect Montas to get the AGA label at some point, he just needs a few more starts before getting there: His blowup last time out pulled him back down. On that topic, his splitter wasn’t there last start and it wasn’t around in this game either — props to his fastballs and slider to get it done. Keep starting him because duh.

Adam Wainwright @ KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.

Hmmmmmmmm. Hmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmm. Do we wake up Nick or just let him sleep? I’M AWAKE. I’M AWAKE. It seems like a start where we praise the St. Louis defense, with Waino getting just two strikeouts and one hit on 21 outs, where his famous curveball returned just 21% CSW and his cutter showed up for the first time in a while. It seems like we got the right side of the coin in this one and hopefully we have better odds next time against the Orioles.

Martín Pérez @ PHI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 88 pitches.

The mad man did it. That’s 18 innings of one-run ball from Pérez in his last three starts and I bet you’re shocked to hear that. So shocked because it was actually 20 innings. Incredible. So, what’s the deal? New pitch? Extra velocity? More whiffs? What? Nah, this is your standard Vargas Rule where you have a Toby effectively avoiding the heart of the plate and leaning on BABIP. Really ain’t much else to it. This isn’t going to last a whole while and it’s not a wheel I want to spin.

Corey Kluber @ OAK (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 64 pitches.

Another strong six innings from Kluber as he had a dandy time facing the Athletics. I’m sad to report that the cutter wasn’t nearly as dominant, but at least he’s up to 90 mph now instead of sub 89 mph and the breaking ball is still legit. Not legit enough to trust a night against the Angels next time out, though.

Dillon Peters @ DET (ND) – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 46 pitches.

Peters pitched pretty dang well for the little amount of time we saw him. So that was cool.

Yusei Kikuchi vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 78 pitches.

Wait what. A King Cole for Kikuchi?! Against the Yankees?! With a sub 95 mph heater?!?! I’m pretty amazed at this one, though it looks like Kikuchi scrapped the slider & cutter pair to prefer one pitch in a cutter, which returned a 40% CSW and befuddled the Yankees. He even had his split-change working with 4/14 whiffs and it makes you wonder if this is the turnaround we’ve been waiting for. Nah, I don’t think so. His four-seamer performed super well, but it was mostly called strikes instead of overwhelming heaters (they didn’t come with the best locations) and I think it was a night where it came together just right instead of a dominant pitcher doing his thang. I wouldn’t chance this.

MacKenzie Gore @ CLE (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 100 pitches.

It wasn’t pretty, but Gore managed to survive nearly six frames against the Guardians. The slider from last time? Yeah, just 0/9 CSW, no biggie. Gore went 77% fastballs and I’m pretty astounded by it. He failed to earn a single whiff on his 23 secondaries. I feel like Gore has been hyped as if he invented the internet and what I’ve seen thus far is…kinda boring? Where are the shrugs of helplessness? The easy 1-2-3 frames? The DOMINANCE? It just seems a bit weird right now and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s headed to the minors after this to get it sorted out. Nick Martinez likely holds onto the sixth spot and Gore comes back when something inevitably gives later in the year. Just my two cents that I won’t stop giving every person I see. Look, I need to stop hoarding so many pennies, that’s all this is.

Ian Anderson @ NYM (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 84 pitches.

Look, I’m thrilled Anderson had better pitch separation and a decent heater, but his changeup and curveball earned far too few strikes and it led to just one strikeout. HAISTBMBWT?! But hey, at least he survived against the Mets. I was hoping for something that would push us more in favor of Anderson and sadly we’re left with a lot of the same feelings we had before. Boston is next and I’m already tense thinking about it.

Tony Gonsolin vs SF (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 65 pitches.

Ahhhh Gonsolin finally earned strikes with his slider and was able to take a backseat with his four-seamer (just 25% usage), allowing him to dominate the Giants. It took long enough for us to see it come to fruition. Now the question is if Gonsolin can go 75% secondaries consistently and not get burned by it. I sure hope so and with the Pirates next, you don’t really have a choice but to start him and see what happens.

Madison Bumgarner @ MIA (ND) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 13 pitches.

Bumgarner was ejected after the first inning as the umpire checked his hand for an excessive amount of time and Bumgarner wasn’t having any of it. I saw the whole thing, I’m on Bumgarner’s side, that wasn’t right. Welp, he gets another crack at the Marlins next week and that makes for a decent stream once again.

Justin Verlander vs SEA (W) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 101 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. I knew he’d get there, but just had to not jinx it, you know? Sad to see a small dip in velocity and a low 22% CSW on the slider, but I’m not worried at all.

Alex Faedo vs PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 76 pitches.

Faedo made his MLB debut for this doubleheader and it was…it was. Not a whole lot get excited about here with a 92 mph heater and a middling slider, returning just one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!) and this isn’t something for you to jump in on.

José Quintana @ DET (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 77 pitches.

Quintana dominated via the BSB last time out and while he did have plenty of pitch separation this time, his curveball was completely missing, forcing him to get by with four-seamers, sinkers, and changeups. And it worked, with the slow ball really taking a step forward and getting spotted all night. Whatever thoughts you have about his believability, you’re not starting him against the Dodgers next. Sometimes it’s nice to have the decision made for you, ya know?

Garrett Whitlock vs LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 78 pitches.

Whoaaaaa, nine strikeouts?! I expected Whitlock to be limited pitch count-wise (he was, going sub 80 pitches here), lowering his reasonable ceiling while he faced the tough Angels. And yet, he earned a 28% SwStr rate on sinkers and has become a legit pickup if he’s still out there. Hot dang, this is getting real.

Michael Pineda vs PIT (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 85 pitches.

He’s running on fumes and managed to keep the Tigers in the game for almost five frames. Props to him, and y’all know this train ain’t chugging for long.

Nestor Cortes Jr. @ TOR (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.

I’m gonna honest with ya, today was a rough day for a lot of arms. Not sure what got in the water to cure the effect of Michael’s Secret Stuff, but guys like Cortes didn’t look particularly as sharp as we know they can be. Just 2/27 whiffs on the four-seamer ain’t it, while 18% CSW on cutters should scare you. But hey, the Jays, and Nestor can bounce back. Who does he face next time? …The Jays. Good luck.

Alex Wood @ LAD (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.

Look, he’s still at 93 mph and his slider is still legit. This was the Dodgers and made the line worse than the ability would dictate. Feel good about Alex.

Cal Quantrill vs SD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.

Cal is a poster child for a Toby as he nearly earned a VPQS, but the seven strikeouts impress me as his slider did fantastic work. I’m sure not expecting that moving forward, so don’t get your hopes up.

Patrick Corbin @ COL (L) – 8.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.

This was a complete game for Corbin but even so, he couldn’t muster more than four whiffs on his slider. Sure, Coors does things (more at 11) but four whiffs ain’t gonna cut it. He’s a Frozen Banana at best.

Lucas Giolito @ CHC (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 101 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The changeup is looking mighty fine as he served us a Philly, and we’re A-OK with it when it comes with ten strikeouts. 16(!) called strikes with four-seamers as the slow ball earned 9/27 whiffs. Expect great things here when things go a little more his way.

Tylor Megill vs ATL (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.

Megill looked like TYLORD through five frames, ran into trouble in the sixth, and Adam Ottavino failed to get the final out to save Megill as runs pilled on. Bummer. His heater was back down to 94.8 mph (nine whiffs, but not ideal) but his changeup was strong and the slider had its moments. Everthing’s fine.

Freddy Peralta vs CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 98 pitches.

Are we okay with this? The slider was solid, batted balls simply found grass and it disrupted the evening. Some days that’s just how it is.

Mike Clevinger @ CLE (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.

He made it back! And struggled a little bit! Clevinger didn’t have the supreme breakers that carried him pre-TJS and I wonder how long we’ll have to wait for them to return. Meanwhile, his heater is a bit down in velocity, from the 95 mph in 2019/2020 to just 93.5 mph here. I’ll be patient, but it is a little disheartening given his decent amount of rehab outings. He’s the MC, he’s supposed to lead the evening.

Reid Detmers @ BOS (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 78 pitches.

His slider went 1/21 whiffs. Soooo yeah, we’re still twiddling our thumbs, waiting for the pitch to show up. Have you tried texting it? Yes, obviously. And email? Duh. What about a phone call? OF COURSE I TRIED THAT.

Kyle Hendricks vs CWS (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 73 pitches.

Hendricks has devolved into a Cherry Bomb in its purest sense. It doesn’t matter how much you study The Professor, you’re still going to struggle in this pass/fail class.

Zach Plesac vs SD (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.

We’re still so far away from Plesac becoming a reliable arm again. Sigh. One day…one day…

Kyle Bradish vs MIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 70 pitches.

Blegh. I felt good streaming him (like a dunce) after watching his strong arsenal last time out and it looked fantastic at first. The first three frames were bliss, but the fourth returned multiple walks, a two-run home run, many hits, and should have allowed a fifth if not for a liner to strike Gary Sánchez on the basepaths to end the inning. His slider had phenomenal shape to it and missed plenty of bats, but the heater was too dang unreliable. I’m pretty bummed, but it truly can be compressed into “one terrible inning” which may be an indication of Bradish’s youth rather than his true talent. He gets the Cardinals next and I could very well see that working, but it’s essentially a coin flip.

Matt Brash @ HOU (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 77 pitches.

Welp, I regret everything. Sigh. I remember the first start being so wowed and hoping his questionable strike rate was something that would ebb and flow through the year. We’ve gotten just the ebb in the last four starts now (or is it the flow? Nah, the ebb. Definitely the ebb) and while this was most likely on your bench already as a stash play, it’s awfully hard to keep him around for now. If we start seeing life in the future, I’ll jump back in, but this ain’t looking good.

Kris Bubic vs STL (L) – 0.1 IP, 4 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 24 pitches.

Yikes. Sorry Bubic, something is terribly off.

Elieser Hernandez vs ARI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 78 pitches.

Elieser was the back-up streamer and this one didn’t work either. Bummer. Pick up Max Meyer! Well hold on there. You think the Marlins are going to be that quick on Elieser? And what about Edward Cabrera? I know Meyer is looking great and all, but it does seem like he’s their #7 while it’s a little too soon to call for the #5 to get ousted. Remember, it’s super rare for a team’s starting rotation to stay healthy through a season, so there’s no reason for the Marlins to rush things. Elieser will get the Snakes a second time and I won’t rule out a bounceback there.

Vladimir Gutierrez @ MIL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.

Oh hey, it’s Vlad. Like a kind neighbor in your building, I wonder how much more we’ll see of him.

Dylan Bundy @ BAL (L) – 3.2 IP, 9 ER, 11 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 74 pitches.

We gave up on Bundy after last time and this just seems cruel. I think I could hear Bundy after the ninth run scored. Why are you acting like I hate you? You traded ME away. Poor guy.

 

Game of the Day 

Shane McClanahan vs. Robbie Ray – This is going to be such a fun game, while I’ll also intently be watching Jesús Luzardo vs. Nick Martinez. Super curious how that plays out.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

Have Questions? – Join my morning Twitch livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 9:00 am – 11:00 am ET Monday through Friday.

Photos by Craig McKay/Unsplash, Mick Haupt/Unsplash | Adapted by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)