Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 4/13: Going Full Boyle

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 Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.

Joe Boyle (TBR) vs ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 74 pitches.

I’m not sure how many of y’all expected Joe Boyle to make his debut with the Rays this weekend, but he got the pearl Sunday afternoon against Atlanta and refused to allow a single hit across five frames, ending with a glorious line of 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 74 pitches (W). Oh snap, he’s finally done it. He’s finally become a legit arm. Has he? I’m not sure.

On the plus side, Boyle featured 60%+ strikes on both his four-seamer (98 mph) and slider (90/91 mph) and we all know how much of an issue throwing strikes has been in the past. He’s even flexing a 93 mph splinker that comes in handy for whiffs (4/13!) and is more splitter than sinker with its erratic nature.

However, I didn’t see an arm who could direct his slider and four-seamer with authority. I’m thankful he earned strikes, though you have to question his ability to replicate this. With Boyle likely heading back to Triple-A after this spot start, let’s monitor his performance in the minors to determine whether he’s worth the spec add when the next spot opens in the Rays’ rotation. I’m hesitant to believe he can escape HIPSTER territory with regular starts, though he may have enough control to force a hold in 12-teamers. Here’s to hoping he’ll be more Cherry than Bomb.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Michael King (SDP) vs COL (W) – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 110 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Sure, Rockie Road, but the man did exactly what he should do. But the sweeper and four-seamer were terrible. YOU WERE TERRIBLE. This was mostly changeups and sinkers doing all the work and you know what, good on King for having those pitches to steer the ship. We love the coronated King.

Kodai Senga (NYM) @ ATH (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 79 pitches.

Atta boy Senga. I’m happy to see 96 mph four-seamers with 33% swinging strikes on the splitter, and this could have been better if his cutters just off the plate were respected and converted into outs. You can’t have it all. We also saw the wider arsenal in this one, with sliders, sinkers, sweepers, and even a pair of curveballs showing up, combining for 22% of Senga’s arsenal. They weren’t incredible, but the extra variety usually amplifies the staples of the arsenal. Just a little more guessing, you know? Anyway, I think we’re cool with Senga moving forward after he gave us a little bit of a scare. Phew.

Hunter Greene (CIN) vs PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 98 pitches.

It’s time. Aces gonna ace. The four-seamer is still sitting 99+ mph while sliders are unrelenting their 60%+ strike rate. Sure, the vert came down to under 16″ here (not 16-17″ nooooo) but it clearly doesn’t matter. He’s a different pitcher.

Matthew Liberatore (STL) vs PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 88 pitches.

I’m glad he’s at 95 mph on the heater, but more importantly, he’s embracing the slider well to both sides of the plate and he’s unleashing a changeup to RHB – a pitch he featured just 5% of the time last year was featured over 25% of the time to RHB in this one. It’s not incredible, but it’s something and that’s music to my ears. Back to that slider – it was delicious for 11/30 whiffs and unlikely to stick at that mark in the future. It sure would be cool, though. I’m not confident in his next start against the Mets as that slider will surely miss fewer bats and I question the changeup’s consistency, but who knows. Maybe this is Matthew’s Liberatoration.

Cole Ragans (KCR) @ CLE (W) – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 89 pitches.

Aces gonna PEW PEW PEW for a Golden Goal. This was changeup + four-seamer domination with curveballs showing up in a bigger way than usual for 71% strikes. And hey! 9/9 strikes on sliders + cutters is cool too, though he obviously didn’t need them a whole lot. He’s dope and makes us feel dope and he could be even better.

Garrett Crochet (BOS) @ CHW (W) – 7.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 96 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. So weird to see him at 6.7 feet on extension, but whatever. Batters still can’t hit the four-seamer, especially when he’s mixing in sinkers 17% of the time on top of the four-seamer. Ignore these notes and don’t panic. Just look at that line and be happy.

Luis Severino (ATH) vs NYM (L) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 103 pitches.

Sure, that’s a Severino outing. Lots of love for the cutter in this one and I’m here for that – I think the 94 mph pitch can help a whole lot against LHB given his fastball/sweeper approach. It’s not incredible, but it should help. He’s fine against Milwaukee next.

Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 78 pitches.

SWR saw the writing on the wall and did his best to ensure that he sticks in the rotation with Zebby breathing down his neck. It’s strange to see an 11% CSW changeup thrown nearly a quarter of the time and at least the velocity came back to 93/94 mph, but I’m just not seeing enough juice to focus on Simeon in my leagues. You could do so much more.

Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 94 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Ahhh, @TEA is the best relief for any pitcher. Oh no, Logan, you didn’t upgrade to Rivermind Plus?!

Colin Rea (CHC) @ LAD (ND) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 68 pitches.

Looks like we’re going to see Rea step in as a starter with Justin Steele out for the year reconstructing his UCL. Wat. Yeah, it’s tough. As far as Rea goes, he was up 1-2 ticks in this one at 94/95 mph and there’s a decent pitcher in here at times. Not enough to stream against the Sneks, but I wouldn’t be shocked if we’re gung-ho for a few starts here and there.

Tyler Glasnow (LAD) vs CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Good to have you back after that dumb start in Philly. Stupid weather, I should have called my people and fixed that for ya. Do it real nice. 

Shane Smith (CHW) vs BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 79 pitches.

I love seeing success, though it was just three strikeouts and he’s still flaming out a bit as the start continues. He ended up at 94 mph by the end of the start, unlike the 96+ mph we’ve all seen from him. I was also sad to see the changeup feel disappear with few landing well and returning just a 44% strike rate, and the four-seamer did what it could against LHB. The slider was ole reliable against RHB, but not filthy and Blamo! That’s your start. He has signs of a breakout later in the year once he can reliably command the slowball and gain stamina to keep his velocity alive past 75 pitches, but you don’t need to run out and get him tonight. And don’t forget, he still pitches for the White Sox.

Zac Gallen (ARI) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 89 pitches.

Hmmmm. The four-seamer got called strikes but was a tick down, while the curve was featured just 14% of the time with more changeups than usual. Whatever, we keep starting Gallen in hopes that he’s just working with the flow of the game and good enough to avoid the clunkers of his last outing. And all the warning signs of his heater being too hittable without his change and slider being good enough for a full year.

Freddy Peralta (MIL) @ ARI (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 104 pitches.

This had a lot of Professor Chaos as the secondaries were too dang low the entire start. The general intent was there, though, and we’ve seen a lot worse from Peralta. Don’t go all detective on Peralta right now. Cool cool cool, no doubt, no doubt. RELAX.

Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) @ SEA (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.

The curve is still a solid part of the mix, splitters are cooking, cutters are meh, and the four-seamer needs to not land so much inside the zone, but let’s ignore the second half of this run-on sentence. Eovaldi’s splitter and curve are great and that’s enough for me.

Cade Povich (BAL) vs TOR (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 76 pitches.

Blegh. He had better pitch separation in this one, but the changeup is not working out at all. Just 40% strikes as it was trying to be the biggest nullifier to RHB, and the four-seamer is not a hero pitch to put the arsenal on its back. I don’t recommend Povich at all.

Hayden Wesneski (HOU) vs LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 93 pitches.

The sweeper was far better this time around, but I didn’t see the same fun elements against LHB that I saw last game. Ah whatever, he has great extension with sinker/sweeper to RHB (stop using the four-seamer please, thanks) and a cutter/curve/change that should be better in the future against LHB. Thank the Angels for being so RHB-heavy that his sweeper could cook for 49% CSW. It goes a long way for us fantasy managers.

Cal Quantrill (MIA) vs WSN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 77 pitches.

He’s doing everything he can. Sinkers are located well to RHB and his splitter is getting down against LHB. The problem? They aren’t very good. The bridge cutter is fine, but where’s the value? Where’s the reasoning for rostering Quantrill? It left a year ago for milk and never came back. That rascal.

Logan Webb (SFG) @ NYY (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 97 pitches.

Jeez Webb, mind not featuring a 13% CSW changeup and terribly located cutters? And while yer at it, dem sinkers gotta be better. Why are you talking like this? Because I’m MAD, okay? You only hear my true Brooklyn accent when I’m mad. And when you discuss your bagel guys? THAT’S DIFFERENT. Webb had a bad day, unlike his Madame, who continues to endure incessant terrible days from the second she appeared in theaters. Yeesh that was terrible.

Chris Sale (ATL) @ TBR (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna jump back up to 96+ mph velocity but disappoint across the board. The Rays served exclusive RHB and without his changeup on point, they were able to feast on the mistake fastballs and sliders over the plate. Sometimes it works like that – a guy has their best velocity with a 41% CSW slider and it just doesn’t matter. Whatareyagonnado.

Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ STL (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.

Aces gonna disappoint for another outing. What gives, Wheeler? You’re suddenly going cutters and sweepers galore?! 36% sweepers to RHB and 39% cutters to LHB? WHO ARE YOU?! Nick, the four-seamer and sinker are the pitches that got hit hard. YOU DIDN’T ANSWER MY QUESTION. It’s weird and I don’t understand why Zack is trying to reinvent the Wheeler.

MacKenzie Gore (WSN) @ MIA (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 105 pitches.

Bleeeegh. Leave it to Gore to dominate opening day against the Phils + the Dodgers before laboring through six frames against the Marlins. Just 18% CSW on his four-seamer tells you all you need to know and he’s as HIPSTER as it comes. Good luck.

Ben Lively (CLE) vs KCR (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.

He was close to a VPQS, but a few too many HRs got in the way. He’s a 15-teamer play and you should be fine with the Pirates next.

Carlos Rodón (NYY) vs SFG (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 100 pitches.

Rodón was golden through five before allowing a three-run shot with one out in the sixth as the heathens cackled, Careful, Icarus. I love seeing the changeup back in order + a slider with a 47% CSW, and if weren’t for that meddling Jung Hoo Lee swatting two HRs, Rodón would be the apple of y’all’s eyes. At least the sinker returned to fend off LHB, eh? No? Not enough? Yeah, I’m with you.

Casey Mize (DET) @ MIN (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 74 pitches.

Yikes. This isn’t getting a whole lot better, is it? I know I got a lot of push back when I ranked him low on The List last week before his start in the Bronx and felt it was still correct after he survived, but here you go. Mize sat 95 mph without a good breaking ball while the splitter was good but not quite enough to pull him to the finish line. He’s just not all that fun to roster. I know it’s a new slider from last season, but is it that much better for us to rethink our stance? He’s also three ticks up on the splitter and showcasing better feel! So four-seamer/splitter is enough for you? When you put it that way..Yeah. Not great for 12-teamers. Fine for deeper.

José Berríos (TOR) @ BAL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 86 pitches.

It felt awfully weird picking up Berríos in a 12-teamer in a desperate play for a Win and if you told me he’d have 36% CSW and 7/22 changeup whiffs, I would have been ecstatic. But we left out the 39% strike rate on the curveball. Yeaaaaah, Berríos with a terrible hook is like Cream without a good guitarist. That’s born to be a bad sign. Oh, Great Undulator, why must you be as you be?

Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) @ CIN (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 73 pitches.

He got away with many fluttering sweepers over the plate to LHB, but wasn’t so fortunate with his four-seamer and slider. I’m not interested until he can command far better than this.

Kyle Freeland (COL) @ SDP (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 84 pitches.

Out of Coors and you didn’t stream Freeland, right? Okay cool. Just checking.

Kyle Hendricks (LAA) @ HOU (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 79 pitches.

There are times when Hendricks can be valuable in fantasy. A date against the Astros is not one of those times.

 

Game of the Day

 

Grant Holmes vs. Easton Lucas – I’m hoping this is the start that brings respect to The Real Estate Broker while Easton’s four-seamer could make another case for rostership.

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

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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)