Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday 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 10 am-12 pm ET.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) vs BOS (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches.
I’ve been pretty down on Clarke Schmidt this year, and holding an atrocious 31% hard contact rate with a near 5.00 ERA and 1.46 WHIP will do that to a guy. However, entering tonight, he’s allowed just six ER across his last four games and he expanded on that trend with 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches against the Red Sox. And yet, I still can’t get on board.
Well, maybe. The best part of this one was the massive reduction of sinkers for the second straight start. He tossed the pitch just 18% of the time, relying instead on cutters, sweepers, and curves to get his strikes and they played their parts well. The cutter got outs, the sweeper went 28% called strikes, and the curve earned a 60% strike rate. But none of it was excellent. It was fine and I’m glad it worked here, but I get a sense that Schmidt is more-or-less a Toby on a decent run.
Maybe I’m undervaluing the sweeper with its 35% CSW for the year, but it holds a mediocre 32% O-Swing and without that pitch returning chases, Schmidt doesn’t have a putaway offering to rely on. He needs that strikeout pitch if he’s going to be something more than this, and while that limited sinker usage could be all he needs for fantasy relevance, I’m not clawing for it until I see a breaker that dominates. But hey, start him a second time against the Red Sox, that’s fine if you want.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Shane Bieber (CLE) vs HOU (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 104 pitches.
Well Well WELLS, look who finally decided to show up. Bieber’s fastball jumped to nearly 92 mph for the night, returning a ton of called strikes for a 42% CSW, but the stars of the show were his cutter + slider returning 10/48 whiffs between them, while the cutter went 48% CSW on its own. So is that it? He’s back? Ehhhh I wouldn’t say that. The slider was better but not the pitch of old + the curve was meh + the cutter won’t be this good + the four-seamer isn’t a 40%+ CSW pitch. He had a great night and like my dang radiator that won’t stop clacking away, there’s still fixin’ to do.
Braxton Garrett (MIA) @ CWS (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 82 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! He was the streaming pick of the day, but I didn’t expect, this. His slider went 41% CSW, preventing a single ball in play across 22 thrown, while the sinker and cutter earned called strikes and the changeup went 67% strikes. All great things here from Garrett and now it’s the Nats + Pirates next. You better hop on this train if you still can.
Taijuan Walker (PHI) vs LAD (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 83 pitches.
Oh wow, that’s a Gold Star for Walker, electing to suddenly throw 2.5 ticks harder on everything, against a strong Dodgers offense. That’s right, his sinker sat 95 mph in this one despite a season mark of 92.5, while the splitter returned for 46% usage and…well, not that many strikes and just 26% CSW. But he kept the thing down and that sinker! That pitch wasn’t spotted well but found gloves and he made it through the game. I have to think that velocity was a peak and not a new norm for Walker, but it’s really fun to see these moments and there. +2.5 ticks is no joke.
Will Vest (DET) vs ARI (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 11 pitches.
The Future Stock Broker opened for Joey Wentz, who did good work against the Diamondbacks via 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks, and I can see it now, making a nice fire on the wire. Boy, does that look cozy, with a sleeping bag and the sounds of the wilderness and…this is why I generally make myself try to get the roundup done before 2am.
John Brebbia (SF) vs CHC (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 22 pitches.
It was another bullpen game for the Giants. And none rejoiced.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 106 pitches.
See? He’s fine. Ignore the other outings, Keller still has his command and stupid low hard contact rates. He’s a new man this year, truly, and he’s sure to cruise against the Brewers and Marlins up next.
Blake Snell (SD) @ COL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 85 pitches.
NICK. I know, I see it too. NIIIIIICK. You’re going to ask–IS HE BACK?! That line, in Coors mind you, sure looks like he is and yet…no. No. NOOO. Yeah I know. It’s a King Cole and it would feel real dumb to say anything against the point, but Snell only held a 45% zone rate on his four-seamer and I’m not sure I’m going to buy into a 67% CSW and 9/18 whiffs on the curve when it held a 22% zone rate itself. So you’re saying he got a lot of chases! That’s a good thing! It is, but it’s not as sustainable as him showcasing the command to actually land his four-seamer and curve in the zone properly. With the Rays up next, I wouldn’t be shocked if he relapsed back to the former Snell, which it pains me so terribly to say. Please be wrong…please be wrong…
Lucas Giolito (CWS) vs MIA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 101 pitches.
His velocity dropped two ticks from his start but it didn’t matter against the Marlins as he spotted all his pitches super well (with some mistakes, sure, but generally). You should be safe against the Mariners next.
Caleb Ferguson (LAD) @ PHI (L) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 22 pitches.
The Dodgers threw a bullpen game. And one rejoiced. Who? Steve. Who’s Steve? You don’t know him, he went to another school. Why does he like bullpens? You should ask Steve. I hate that I’ve done this.
Brayan Bello (BOS) @ NYY (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.
Low sinkers with a decent change and slider got it done and now he’ll get them a second time. It’s fine, I wish we saw more from the secondaries, though.
Dinelson Lamet (COL) vs SD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 91 pitches.
Better than expected…? I guess? Maybe? Can I stop asking questions? …no?
JP Sears (OAK) @ MIL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.
Our backup streamer did his part, earning you a Win and a fair number of strikeouts to boot. Sadly, I can’t jump in on Sears moving forward with just four whiffs on the docket as he gets the Phils next, but this was a fun little run. We appreciate you Sears.
Trevor Williams (WSH) @ ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
Sure, whatever Williams. We’re not going to roster you, even if you had brilliant pitch separation. We’ve seen it before with far worse results.
Carlos Carrasco (NYM) @ PIT (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 81 pitches.
He had 93 mph again, but the slider and changeup were blegh and the four-seamer was all kinds of wild, leading to terrible ratios and just one strikeout – HAISTBMBWT?! – as we all wonder why he was on our teams in the first place. A traditional Double Bubble.
Shane McClanahan (TB) vs TEX (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna ace and earn a Gallows Pole against one of the best offenses in the league. That’s our boy.
Kyle Gibson (BAL) vs KC (W) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
Despite a whole lot of hard contact, Gibson held on for the Win and near PQS as we all recognize we have no idea what Gibson will do on a given night. This changes nothing.
Adam Wainwright (STL) vs CIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches.
One out away from a VPQS with just two strikeouts? Yeeeeeep, that’s the world you choose to join if you roster Waino. Come with us, we have stale pretzels and soda has lived in your grandparent’s fridge door since 1987.
Hunter Greene (CIN) @ STL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
The strikeouts keep flowing, but we’re all sad at those ratios. Thing is, he executed the BSB beautifully with four-seamers up and sliders down and there’s not a whole lot more you can ask of Greene. Maybe don’t have a near .500 BABIP? I think that’s a place to start.
Griffin Canning (LAA) vs SEA (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 101 pitches.
Canning relied on 35% four-seamers here, but I’m not sure why as all his secondaries earned strikes and were effective pitches. He’ll get an easier matchup against the Royals next time out as well, and I’m in for that one. He’s in a good place right now.
Carlos Hernández (KC) @ BAL (ND) – 1.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 28 pitches.
Carlos opened for Mike Mayers, who disappointed with 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks across 88 pitches and I can’t believe I ever thought MM could be something, like the Strawberry Shake M&M. If you know, you know. IT WAS WHITE CHOCOLATE ALL ALONG. Seriously, how could they do that to us?
Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs OAK (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
Blegh. Freddy, buddy, pal, your slider went 41% CSW. You returned seven four-seamer whiffs. This should be enough. Oh, 3/11 curveball strikes? WHY. Ugh, it’s the Pirates next and we’re gonna throw Professor Chaos out there too, but this is getting annoying. Nick, it was really just the 4 ER, everything else is fine. I know, I know, it’s just that this was supposed to be one of those “Wow, what a guy” outings, you know? I miss those.
Louie Varland (MIN) @ TOR (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
So this isn’t great n whatnot, but I feel like a kid pushing through the Macy’s crowd to get in line for Santa as now Varland finally has made it through the horrific schedule gauntlet as he’s set to face the Tigers next weekend. THANK YOU. Start the dang man, his four-seamer is still really good and the cutter is a solid #2.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ DET (ND) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
You may have already seen it – Gallen’s velocity was down about 1.5 ticks on both the four-seamer and curve, which makes for an elegant scapegoat for his horrible ratios. And then you notice he earned 17 whiffs and your brow starts to furrow. How dare you make this brow furrow, it deserves a better life. Yes it does. For the most part, Gallen got beat in the lower half of the zone on pitches that generally do allow hits. There were some moments of being Singled Out here and if he’s throwing a bit harder, there’s absolutely a case to be made that he doesn’t allow said hits, but in the end, he still had a good curve and four-seamer, but he didn’t have the velocity and baseball wasn’t fair to him. Don’t overreact to this, I imagine the velocity will be better next time out and don’t do anything rash.
Bryce Elder (ATL) vs WSH (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches.
Ummmm has the Vargas Rule come to a screeching halt? That’s a HAISTBMBWT?! with the BABIP we knew would show up eventually, but you know what? It’s Rockie Road next. Surely, we can wait just one more start, right?
Brandon Bielak (HOU) @ CLE (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.
Womp womp. I really wanted this to work, but the changeup was far worse than what we’ve seen and that’s how the Cookie crumbles. Huh? You alright wrote about Carrasco. I’m sorry. That’s just how chips fell. Huh? There isn’t even a pitcher named Chip. THEN WHY IS THIS CONFUSING TO YOU. Ahem, I can imagine Bielak recovering as he hosts the Reds next time out, don’t overlook it for a deep stream.
Hayden Wesneski (CHC) @ SF (L) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 59 pitches.
Womp womp. Sure, 41% CSW on his sweeper, but just 17 thrown and only three whiffs. I need to see the dang thing DESTROY.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) vs MIN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 101 pitches.
WHAT IS THIS. Man, I’ve been preaching the good word of Gausman for a month now, hoping he was completely removed from those awkward clunkers, but here we are, replicating them in June. Blame the splitter’s 19% CSW as that pitch needs to dominate each time he starts and can’t go 47% strikes. That’s horrific and ruins everything. I don’t expect it to stick as I have faith in Gausman’s splitter more than any other in the majors, even with Texas up next. We’re going for it, y’all.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) @ LAA (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 58 pitches.
Soooo Gilbert didn’t have his splitter (3/7 strikes) and the four-seamer went just 12% CSW, and it forced him to throw a ton of sliders over the plate, four of which allowed hits. Well that’s dumb. You know, it’s a rare moment when we both agree. He’ll recover, even if this was a case of a splitter being volatile and I feel trapped inside an 80s sitcom called Oh You. Hot dang my sweater looks good.
Martín Pérez (TEX) @ TB (L) – 3.1 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 75 pitches.
We don’t start Pérez against the Rays. We know this.
Game of the Day
Jesús Luzardo vs. Bryce Miller – Luzardo gets all the fun starts for some reason while we all want to see Bryce return to his dominant ways.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
Hey Nick – I need to sit one of these 4 this week: Sevi (2-step), Braxton, Giolito, Eury (this autocorrected to Eurythmics so I think I have to start him). Any advice? (My must starts are Yu, Castillo, Musgrove). Thanks and thanks for everything.
Schmidt also has a curveball with 35% WHIFF rate. Wouldn’t that qualify as his strikeout pitch or does he not utilize often enough to earn that honor (only an 19% usage rate)
I own Freddy Peralta and you’ve been too easy on him and too optimistic he’ll turn it around. This was Oakland! At home! I think he needs to fall into the auto Do Not Start list until further notice. Another atrocious start and I’ll have to consider either moving him or moving on from him.