Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday 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.
Dustin May (LAD) @ CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches.
I’ve had a lovely time rostering Dustin May across teams this year. Packed with a hard sinker that mitigated weak contact and a supporting cast of four-seamers, cutters, and sweepers, May seemed like a strong floor arm on a winning club who was only going to get better as he experienced his first full season consistently on the bump.
Then Tuesday happened in Wrigley. 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches (ND) is not the line of a guy with a “strong floor” and you’re worried this is the real May. I get it, I’m worried too! The sinker sat just 94 mph and was terribly spotted for just 50% strikes, leading to far too many sweepers thrown over the plate, while the four-seamer was scattered around and blasted with ease.
This isn’t fun at all. Sure, May faced more lefties than righties, but 50% sweepers is not the life he should be living. I’m surprised the cutter didn’t get more action, though the few he threw were not spotted well and the confidence was clearly not there. In the end, this was a terrible night. The sinker is sure to find the plate more often, the sweeper will not be relied upon so heavily, and he won’t throw so many pitches down the pipe. And guess who he faces in his next two starts? Miami and…MIAMI (or Atlanta second if it’s not a six-man rotation). So stay strong but yeah, this hurt.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Mitchell Parker (WSN) vs BAL (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 99 pitches.
And here I was, calling Parker a deep sleeper for the future if he were to one day find velocity and locate his four-pitch mix a little better. So he gained velocity? Uhhh, nah. His command was stellar then? Okay, you can stop now. The four-seamer went upstairs to LHB. but the slider and curve were not sharp in the slightest but were passed up inside the zone for high CSW marks (thankfully), while the splitter didn’t do a whole lot. In short, it was the four-seamer game of getting outs as he earned a Minimalist Score of Eight. I know Parker has been effective this year, but this was a lot of good fortune, and none of the signs we’re looking for to suggest a breakout is here.
Nick Pivetta (SDP) @ DET (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.
We had another start of Pivetta doing more against RHB than just four-seamer/sweeper, though the cutter wasn’t an exciting offering at just 1/10 CSW on the day. His curve was erratic as well and I think he got away with this one a bit. Thank you Detroit.
Kris Bubic (KCR) vs COL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
Wow, this was not Bubic’s best feel as he had donut command of everything down the pipe or missing outside the edges and it didn’t matter. Rockie Road, you’re such a delicious treat.
Davis Martin (CHW) @ MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 88 pitches.
The Twins were unable to connect with much despite Davis having horrible feel for his slider and displaying a poor four-seamer for 38% of his pitches. Koufax can be such a lovely being.
Ryan Feltner (COL) @ KCR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.
You know, props to Feltner this year for having success away from Coors more than I expected. Here, enjoy this Gold Star, again. I still really dislike your arsenal, but you deserve it.
Ronel Blanco (HOU) vs TOR (W) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.
THANK YOU. No more curves > slider or abandoning the changeup. We got effective strikes across all three of his secondaries while the four-seamer did its dance in and out of the upper half per usual. Now this is the Blanco I can get behind.
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs CHW (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 87 pitches.
A Bailey Special against the White Sox isn’t quite what we’re looking for, but fine. We’ll take decency from Ober these days after he’s given us such a heartache over the first month. He’s still a tick down, but at least had better command upstairs to RHB. What about LHB? Oh so you want to fight, that’s it? No Nick, that–IT WASN’T GREAT, OKAY?!
Griffin Canning (NYM) vs PHI (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 84 pitches.
Oh dang, you survived against the Phillies? Sure, a 1.60 WHIP, but we’ll take this all day. And look at you, holding back the four-seamer to just 33% usage and not giving in over the plate while the slider and change returned 70%+ strikes. 7/27 whiffs on the slider! Fun times, fun times. So you’re in! Oh, nope. Maybe the slider command sticks and the cutter can replace it against LHB, but naaaaaah. That fastball is still too hittable, even if he’s up to 94/95 mph. Maybe he’s worth a stream against the Nationals, but even then I’d prefer not to chance it.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs SEA (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 97 pitches.
Bello made his 2025 debut and displayed the same frustrations from last year – at least one of his main three pitches was off. Here, it was the changeup at a 35% strike rate while the slider was eh and the sinker steered the ship with 10/38 called strikes. I’m not loving it, sadly. And yes, I know, FIRST GAME BACK, NICK! But you get it. I need to see the Bello we crave before I lean into this again.
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) vs TBR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.
The curve wasn’t feeling so hot, but the changeup did well in another start for Pfaadt against an army of LHB. This is a new man and I’m here for this improved version. Kinda like Windows 10 after dealing with Vista all those years.
Jose Quintana (MIL) @ SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.
Jeez, you’re really doing this, eh? Changeups were hanging out down, four-seamers shocked up, and the Giants were allergic to his 90/91 mph sinker over the plate leading to 16/36 called strikes. Yeeeeesh, that’s how you do it. I guess we’re rolling for one more against the Redbirds, eh? I still feel weird about it, but a Vargas Rule is a Vargas Rule.
Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 106 pitches.
Against the Yankees?! Thank you…Koufax. The four-seamer velocity went up a tick as Bibee pulled up his sleeves and forced his way to the finish line, though the secondaries (you know, the pitches that are supposed to get him through games) weren’t much to write home about. The cutter is still lagging behind and spotted poorly while the changeup and sweeper were floated a ton. You could already tell from his 4/106 whiffs that this wasn’t the return to form you were looking for and could be a Dennis more than anything. Sigh. I wish I had better news.
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs SDP (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 96 pitches.
A Golden Goal for Flaherty that’s well deserved with gorgeous sliders and curveballs down once again. He really is feeling those secondaries just like he did this time last year.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs LAD (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
Huh, we really didn’t expect this one to be a 10-inning slugfest game, did we? Imanaga tried his best to get y’all a QS and earn the AGA tag against the Dodgers. Not his best command here, but he survived. Good on ya.
Nick Martinez (CIN) @ MIA (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 79 pitches.
He served up a Philly but that’s alright, we’ll take it. Way to find the edges with everything again, save for that curve. Boy that thing just didn’t work out today, eh?
Will Warren (NYY) @ CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 82 pitches.
For Warren to have this line while only facing LHB is fantastic. The four-seamer came at a flat attack angle once again (at 15″ vert, though. Not 16-17″) and he was able to sneak the pitch over the plate effectively (generally up!) while spotting changeups down and away for outs and sweepers backdoor for called strikes and some destruction in play. He’s surviving, and while my excitement is a little tempered given the lack of four-seamer electricity, he can still be a solid Toby.
Scott Blewett (ATL) vs STL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 48 pitches.
This was a bullpen game with Strider hitting the IL due to his hamstring. What did he do to his hamstring? He Blewett.
Patrick Corbin (TEX) @ ATH (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
Well well well. The slider was great down low, the cutter was hit-or-miss, and the sinker was also pretty meh with called strikes but super hittable. So he’s not worth the pickup like we already knew. You’re a smart one. No, that’s really obvious. Humble, I see. IT’S PATTY C. Welp, you don’t need me.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) @ NYM (L) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 58 pitches.
I’m so sad to tell you that Sánchez left this one early with forearm soreness. I don’t know anything more than that and it’s the worst.
Zack Littell (TBR) @ ARI (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 99 pitches.
A PQS is all fine and dandy from Littell. I’ll admit, it was a bit painful watching him miss on all of those splitters, throw poor heaters down the pipe, and spin 87/88 mph sliders wildly over the plate. It’s all about the Littell things, isn’t it.
Bailey Falter (PIT) @ LAA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 65 pitches.
Falter left this one early with lower back tightness, which is all kinds of dumb for a night when a guy is actually looking like he could go six strong. Poor guy, still wish he had a changeup and could find his way to the Rays. That elite extension with 19″ of vert deserves to get exploited better than what Pittsburgh is doing with him.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
39% sliders to RHB batters? Oh dang! Suitman whispers into my ear Oh come on Cabrera, 52% strikes?! And just 42% on your changeup?! It really does seem like you’re far closer than the ratios look (seven strikeouts!) but you really can’t command these pitches as well as you need to. And now it’s the Dodgers? Noooope.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ HOU (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 96 pitches.
You know, I was wondering if we do this after all the praise thrown Bassitt’s way following his obviously unsustainable 10-strikeout game against Atlanta. I sure didn’t expect 47% sinkers to RHB, though. The feel for the curve was worse and while the sweeper stepped up well, it wasn’t the same. We still love ya Bassitt, don’t worry about this one.
Bryce Miller (SEA) @ BOS (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 100 pitches.
Bryce hasn’t had a fun start to the year and a date in Fenway had little hope of fixing that. That said, his four-seamer isn’t mowing down batters the same way as he’s struggling to find the feel for it inside the zone, and the man needs more backup to get through his games. He’s certainly trying with splitters + curves to LHB and sliders + sinkers to RHB, but I’m not seeing enough yet to believe he’ll take that next step soon. HOWEVER, he gets Miami next. That should be fun.
Andre Pallante (STL) @ ATL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 83 pitches.
Y’all need to not start Andre 3K minus two, alright? I’m glad the four-seamer was finally back to its 2024 marks, but he wasn’t a stud pitcher then. Stop going after this, please. For yer health.
Jordan Hicks (SFG) vs MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 104 pitches.
Bleeeeegh. I hate this. Hicks is at 97+ mph but his command is pretty dang poor. You can’t hold a 44% strike rate across 25 sweepers, Hicks. It doesn’t work like that. Sure, he did get Singled Out a bit here, but he didn’t pitch at a level that demanded a stellar line. All of that said, he’ll get the Rangers and Rockie Road next. Let’s make that a Questionable Start and Probable Start, yeah? I’m still a believer in Hicks given the velocity, but I can’t sit here and tell you he’s pitching far above the results right now. He should be much better in the future, but I get it y’all. I’m not blind as much as many commenters seem to think. Wait, you don’t do speech to text? 130+ WPM baybeeeee Siri delete that last word and end it after W-P-M.
Dean Kremer (BAL) @ WSN (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 101 pitches.
The deep league HIPSTER is looking more like standard waiver wire fodder from over here, even when he was able to go BSB with splitters and curves to LHB. Those of y’all in many 15-teamers, I imagine seeing Kremer appear on your teams is like a shocking moment when someone bursts through your door.
José Soriano (LAA) vs PIT (L) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 84 pitches.
Boy did he have some rickety command in this one. If you add up his curve and slider strike rates, you’re under his sinker strike rate. No joke, 33% + 27% = 60%, while the sinker held a 68% strike rate, and yet that was one that got blasted. Yeah, that kind of day. Welcome to the floor, now groan a bit as you pull yourself back onto yet feet. Let it out.
Osvaldo Bido (ATH) vs TEX (L) – 5.1 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 91 pitches.
He threw a lot of sinkers for strikes, but right down Broadway. Oh no. Yeaaaah, let’s not touch Bido, cool?
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Game of the Day
Freddy Peralta vs. Logan Webb – This feels like a start of “two long-time aces from two teams the national audience ignores.”
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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The headline of this piece should’ve been Jordan Hicks crushes hopes and dreams. Another Nick Paul special.
Damn, we all know what forearm soreness means…
There were rage-quitters in my league, so if May gets through most of the rest of the league on waivers, I’m going to take advantage of the upcoming schedule. That being said, I know he’s not going to be a season long hold. He’s had a long stretch of MLB time, but little of it was actually spent throwing there. He’s had a maximum of 56 IP in 2020, projections have his IP at 40-99 this season. He’s pitched 22 so far.
If you watched what happened to both Houck and Kutter Crawford, (pro career max IP’s high 90’s-120’s), in the second half last season, and see what’s going on with them now, you can get an idea what blowing by career high IP’s around halfway through the season does to pitchers… So I feel like there’s going to be diminishing returns before long, and more shag rug coming, especially because it’s the Dodgers. (Clearly, May has a LOT more than Houck and Crawford, so don’t get bogged down in that). Probably not against the Marlins, though. I’m all over those matchups.
Sooo… classic Jordan Hicks? As much as I want it to be otherwise, decades of life has taught me that a return to the norm is a lot more likely than breaking out.