Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: The Mitchell Report

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.

Mitchell Parker (WSN) vs HOU (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 73 pitches.

Out of nowhere, the Nationals look to have a solid southpaw in their rotation. No, it’s not MacKenzie Gore (I still like him!) or Patrick Corbin. We’re talking about Mitchell Parker, who stunned the Astros today with a ridiculous 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 73 pitches line. Yes, he could have pulled off a Maddux in his second career MLB start.

I’d pick him up. He gets the Marlins next after he shocked us all with a splitter in this game despite going purely four-seamer/curve in his last start against the Dodgers. That splitter did plenty of the lifting here, with 7/18 whiffs and 39% CSW, and suddenly makes him a legit arm to consider. Meanwhile, he does a brilliant job of getting his curveball in the zone and despite the low four-seamer velocity, he gets plenty of extension and over 17 inches of iVB. This works y’all, and at the very least, I’d pick him up for his next outing and take it from there. Kinda wild to have this come out of nowhere, but when a dude commands three solid pitches and takes down the Dodgers + Astros, you pay attention.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Tyler Glasnow (LAD) vs NYM (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 101 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Yeah, this was dope. Last week’s horrific time at the park was apparently the product of an illness, and it’s great to see all is more than fine. And everyone rejoiced.

Cole Irvin (BAL) @ KCR (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 93 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! Irvin was…um…over two ticks down on his curve and sinker, though the latter was pristinely placed on the armside edge. However, the curve was super hittable and I’m still not sure how he got away with this one. So is he back? Did you not read any of what I just said? IS HE BACK?! No dangit. He’s not. Oh.

José Soriano (LAA) @ CIN (L) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 92 pitches.

Soriano is killing it. This was his first proper challenge and he sported 97 mph sinkers for outs and 42% CSW curveballs at 39% usage. H*ck, we even saw 4/11 splitter whiffs for funsies. There is some worry about his ability to spot his pitches, but a date with the Twins should be up your alley. Take a chance, make it happen. Pop the cork, fingers snapping. Spin the wheel, round and round it goes…

Casey Mize (DET) @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.

Atta boy Mize. I highly doubt we’ll see Mize under the 20% threshold to be another streamer next time out, but there’s still stuff to fix here. The slider failed to earn a single whiff, and his curve wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen, though if he unlocks at least one of them as a reliable weapon, he’ll soar. Cool to see 53% CSW on the splitter, too.

Cal Quantrill (COL) vs SEA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 108 pitches.

COL story, bro. 0 ER. 12 Whiffs. 3 Hits, 4 Strikeouts. 5 Walks. 6 Innings. NUMBERS ARE COOL.

Luis Gil (NYY) vs TBR (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.

‘Twas Judgement Day for Gil and I’m thrilled to see him come through for faithful managers. 71% four-seamer strikes and 82% on the slider did the trick, though there’s still a bit of polish for the changeup (52% strikes) and his ability to locate the heater in the upper third of the zone. Still, with strikes comes strength for Gil and I think he’s earned another chance against the Brewers this week. Let’s hope this isn’t a Dennis.

George Kirby (SEA) @ COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The four-seamer is down to just 94 mph, but he’s actually elevating it, which is all kinds of cool. Maybe go a little higher and out of the zone, too? 

Colin Rea (MIL) @ STL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 89 pitches.

Sure, whatever Rea. I’m happy for you.

Frankie Montas (CIN) vs LAA (ND) – 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 16 pitches.

Montas left this one after taking a comebacker to the arm. Baseball is a cruel, cruel game.

Jordan Hicks (SFG) vs ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 0 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.

Zero strikeouts?! HAISTBMBWT?! This is bonkers, especially on a day Hicks earned 8/30 splitter whiffs. Wow. Welp, the sinker is working inside the zone and hopefully he’ll find something else to actually support it, and not that 8% CSW sweeper.

Josh Winckowski (BOS) @ PIT (ND) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 46 pitches.

One whiff. One strikeout. One forgettable day at the park. I’m not sure the Sawx will continue to lean on Winckowski and I don’t know why I’m bringing this up – you’re not rostering him either way.

Emerson Hancock (SEA) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 88 pitches.

Hancock did a great job living on the edges and inducing all the outs against a poor Colorado offense. Don’t read anything serious into this, but at least recognize Emerson as a desperate streaming option as he hopes to be a Toby one day.

Aaron Nola (PHI) vs CHW (W) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 91 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. It’s awfully nice to pitch against the White Sox, especially when you don’t have your best command.

Sonny Gray (STL) vs MIL (L) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 12 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 93 pitches.

That’s a Golden Goal in Gray’s first real start for the Cardinals…in a loss. His sweeper + curve were dominant with 13 whiffs between them, while the four-seamer and cutter played on top of each other well. Yeah, he’s good y’all. Not 12 strikeouts on the reg, good, but he’s good.

Slade Cecconi (ARI) @ SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 64 pitches.

Ummmm what. Two whiffs. Six frames. (Ninnnntennnddddoo) Sixty-Four pitches. HOW?! Ohhhh. Duh. Blame it on the Giants. For real, don’t join the Slade Brigade, even if he may get some time in the rotation now that Merrill Kelly is likely hitting the IL with a shoulder injury.

Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs OAK (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 97 pitches.

Bibee is still going high heaters (ehhhhh), but the slider and changeup were actually spotted down. I haven’t seen that from him as he executed a proper BSB, even if I think he’s best suited for the Gallen approach of low fastballs and lower secondaries. This isn’t just a Blame it on the Athletics, but it’s not enough for me to fully endorse a start against Atlanta up next. Hooooo boy, that’s a tough one.

Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ SDP (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.

Don’t think, just start Slappa the Bassitt into your lineup. Or something along those lines that isn’t terrible.

Joe Musgrove (SDP) vs TOR (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 99 pitches.

A bit of a SpidermanPointing.jpeg here with Musgrove vs Bassitt and we should all celebrate Musgrove going a full seven frames, even if the strikeouts are lacking. I think he’s squeezing the most he can out of an arsenal that lacks the punch of a proper heater and we should be considering him more as a Holly than a potential AGA arm. And that’s completely fine.

Michael Lorenzen (TEX) @ ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.

A PQS with seven punchouts and a Win is a glorious day for Lorenzen. I’m still not a huge believer that his slider will be this efficient with 5/16 whiffs, or that he can survive this well with his mediocre heaters, but it does open the door for a possible stream against the Reds in Texas. Not my favorite, but this start proves he can do it.

Ross Stripling (OAK) @ CLE (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.

The kitchen sink kinda came through. But that’s a 5.40 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and just four strikeouts. I SAID KINDA.

Edward Cabrera (MIA) @ CHC (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 96 pitches.

Hmmmm. His four-seamer wasn’t as good, his curve went 11/25 strikes, and his slider was DOPE ONCE AGAIN. 13/13 slider strikes with 54% CSW is awesome + 78% “changeup” strikes (92.4 mph changeups are hilarious) showcase how good Cabrera can be…he just needs that hook to come through. We saw it last week, GET IT BACK EDDIE.

Hunter Brown (HOU) @ WSN (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 84 pitches.

He started a day early after Cristian Javier went on the IL and I’m glad we saw better overall command than his last two games. Still work to be done here and I’d avoid him against Coors, but progress is progress.

Seth Lugo (KCR) vs BAL (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 99 pitches.

Womp womp. Lugo is a Toby and the Orioles are the kind of offense you shouldn’t start Lugo against. You literally could only salvage one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!) if you went for this and at least you learned your lesson.

Darius Vines (ATL) vs TEX (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 74 pitches.

It’s the Rangers, and Vines doesn’t have much in the tank, especially on a night with just 14% sliders + cutters. 18 balls in play on changeups & four-seamers = a bad time.

Martín Pérez (PIT) vs BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.

Sooooo the Vargas Rule seeeeems to be over but the Giants are next. I feel like we should still avoid that, right? NO, IT’S A CAREER RENAISSANCE. Um, probably not y’all. You do you.

Kyle Hendricks (CHC) vs MIA (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 56 pitches.

Ummmm, Cubs. Buddy. How long are we going to let this continue?

Louie Varland (MIN) vs DET (L) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 74 pitches.

Yeaaaaah, we may as well call Varland “Fetch” since it’s never gonna happen. He can’t locate the heater upstairs + his curve nor cutter are reliable offerings. They really should try Simeon Woods Richardson instead.

Aaron Civale (TBR) @ NYY (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 104 pitches.

Womp womp. The first real clunker for Civale this year as he didn’t have close to the command we usually expect from him. That’s gonna happen and the good news is he doesn’t even need to correct it next time out. Why? He gets the CrySox next. Was that a typo? …no.

Nick Nastrini (CHW) @ PHI (L) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.

Blegh. His command was far worse in this one, failing to go east-west with his heater and changeup, and I’m a little concerned about his next start against the Rays, especially for a Win chance. There are worse gambles to take, though, and there is talent in his slider + his precision should be better next time out. Not the worst gamble out there and I hope that start is a stepping stone toward a legit season.

Peter Lambert (COL) vs SEA (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 66 pitches.

COL story, bro.

Adrian Houser (NYM) @ LAD (L) – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 81 pitches.

Yuuuup. I know Houser can sometimes chuck fastballs and get away with it, but come on, The Dodgers?!

 

Game of the Day

 

Albert Suárez vs. Reid Detmers – I’m hoping Suárez can keep it up and Detmers has another challenge ahead of him.

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)