Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 4/26: So Yusei There’s A Chance

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday 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.

Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) @ MIN (L) – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 66 pitches.

After a brilliant second half to the season where Yusei Kikuchi seemingly “figured it out”, the newest southpaw for the Angels has failed to look sharp since donning the new uniform. He’s been spoiled with a lovely string of opponents, but failed to eclipse six strikeouts once, while tallying 18 walks in his last five games, including Saturday’s disaster against the Twins: 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 66 pitches. This feels like a drop in 12-teamers.

Yes, drop Kikuchi. His heater isn’t the destroyer of worlds it used to be with just 0/27 whiffs here at a poor 93.8 mph velocity, while the slider isn’t cleaning up like it used to with a low 52% strike rate. Yes Nick, we understand that he didn’t throw strikes, but he’s gotten back into a groove in the past! That’s true and there is absolutely a chance Kikuchi can push back his sleeves and get it done. When reviewing Kikuchi in the pre-season I expressed my lack of faith in the Angels’ crew to fix Kikuchi when his stumble inevitably arrived during the year and here we are, six starts down and not a single tweak or improvement to be found. His cushy schedule won’t last, either, and it’s time to let go. But there’s a chance…LET GO.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:

 

Jesús Luzardo (PHI) @ CHC (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 102 pitches.

The dude just doesn’t miss. For now. I get the idea that Luzardo is looking like the sleeper draft pick of the year so far and I’ll continue to express praise for the new sweeper that has helped him move on from the mistake-laden slider (just two sliders thrown here!), but we also know Luzardo has his ebbs and flows. Might be a solid sell high here with not just the fluctuation of quality, but also his questionable longevity for a full season’s workload. For now, ATTA BOY LUZARDO.

Michael Wacha (KCR) vs HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.

Ya’ll need to put more respect on Wacha’s name! That’s another streaming victory as he continues to be rostered in fewer than 20% leagues, and huge props to Wacha for doing so against mostly RHB. After all, changeups are usually far better against opposite-handed batters. Keep it rolling in Camden up next.

Luis Castillo (SEA) vs MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.

Ayyyy, he came through! Sure, it was @TEA and the Marlins, but you still have to do the dang thing. Nice to see both the slider and changeup go 44% CSW, while the fastball is up to 95 mph these days, but I’m still worried about what’s ahead.

Clay Holmes (NYM) @ WSN (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 70 pitches.

You can blame a 40+ minute rain delay in the middle of the first frame for the short start from Holmes, who was finally able to throw a ton of sinker strikes with a changeup at a high 71% strike rate. Sweeper and cutter too, right? Uhhhh, no. 4/17 sweeper strikes is kinda laughable and watching this one had Holmes as a clear Toby, not a Holly. I’m sorry, but that sinker is more hittable over the plate than I want it to be and his change/sweeper are too inconsistent. I’m happy he got outs here and that’s great! But his inefficient nature + lack of consistent whiffs (he’ll have a game here and there and then do something like this) means he’s not going to flirt with a 25% strikeout rate for the year, nor average six frames per start (he’s gone six just once despite roughly 85-90 pitches per game!). Pop quiz: What’s the highest whiff total The Adobe has had thus far? If you guess 14 whiffs, you’d be too high. That ten strikeout performance came with just 13 whiffs and I think that’ll help you get a sense of where we are with Holmes. Zero qualms with anyone who doesn’t agree, that’s just how I see it.

Keegan Akin (BAL) @ DET (ND) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 31 pitches.

Akin opened for Charlie Morton, who did terribly. Stop rostering Morton, don’t touch Akin, and let’s have some sympathy for the Orioles.

Jonathan Cannon (CHW) @ ATH (ND) – 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.

The White Sox are embracing the Opener lifestyle with Tyler Gilbert opening here for a frame, so no, that’s not a QS, and to make things even more annoying, Cannon was pulled with one out to go, up 10-3. UNREAL. Not quite the overpowering game to deserve blasting out the speakers with the 1812 Overture, but the changeup decimated the Athletics with 10/32 whiffs and to see 34% overall usage with 62% LHB usage is kinda amazing. The dude was feeling the slowball and I’m here for it. RHB saw precise sweepers and cutters away (mostly) with sinkers inside and I sure hope Cannon has made a tweak that opens up this command for future outings. Can we stop with the Opener, though? It’s so annoying.

Ryan Pepiot (TBR) @ SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 75 pitches.

I’ll absolutely take it, but just three strikeouts and eight whiffs is a bit odd. The slider and change were in the zone, but not where you want to see them and let’s be thankful his four-seamer was able to go 48% CSW to make up for it. We keep rolling with Pepiot with the understanding that he’ll likely not have the polished command we want to see for him to get the AGA tag.

Casey Mize (DET) vs BAL (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.

He kept the four-seamer up and the splitter relatively down and the curve + slider split #3 pitch duties for 2/17 whiffs, with the former returning 33% strikes, and the latter making up for it with 88% strikes. Is this enough for me to be cool with Mize? Meh. He’s not quite a Holly, but a Toby? Sure. Not a guy I need to be holding everywhere but I see how managers may be thrilled. I dunno, he’s still too hittable and doesn’t overpower.

Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs LAA (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 86 pitches.

Well hot dang, look at you! That’s a Gold Star as I had zero expectations for production anywhere close to this. Simeon’s four-seamer came jam packed with nearly 20″ of vert and jumped back up to 93 mph (not 91 mph!) for 10/47 whiffs, while the curve became the focus down with along with a fair share of sliders and it worked to fall the RHB-focused Angels. This wasn’t the best command here, though I want to believe there’s hope for SWR to have sustainability. That heater needs to be the breadwinner upstairs and not let it leak down so often, while holding this velocity and movement. I’m going to be out at the moment, but those in deeper leagues may want to take a shot, even with Zebby flirting with promotion.

Keider Montero (DET) vs BAL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 77 pitches.

We’re still getting servings of Montero as Jobe was skipped this weekend to conserve his workload. Cool cool cool. Can I go now?

Framber Valdez (HOU) @ KCR (L) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.

The changeup came alive in this one and I’ll always be happy to see that from a southpaw. I appreciate that the sinker wasn’t landing unenthusiastically in the heart of the plate in this one, too. Is this the start of that run that brings everyone back in on Framber for 2026?

Robbie Ray (SFG) vs TEX (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 23 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 97 pitches.

It’s about dang time. A Golden Goal for Ray with both runs coming off Jake Burger sac flies. His slider cooked RHB with 8/25 whiffs and 40% CSW at a fantastic 72% strike rate, while the changeup went 5/17 whiffs on its own. That slowball still needs a bit of work as he rarely located it as he wanted to (some of those whiffs were very down and surprise chases), and look at that! The curveball has returned to the mix! It showed up deeper in the game and wasn’t all that great with just 5/12 strikes, but at least he remembered its existence. In short, the four-seamer is still great and leads the way with high strike rates, while the slider feel is exactly what we want. Let’s have a ball with Rockie Road up next.

Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs ATL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.

He’s far from sexy, but Kelly is a proper Toby with a great team behind him. Same ole tricks here with his changeup leading the way in front of four-seamers and sinkers tallying 11/42 called strikes between them. It works.

Mitch Keller (PIT) @ LAD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.

Of course you did. Congrats, Keller. I’m glad you leaned on the sweeper + curve more than usual for roughly 35% overall usage, while the four-seamer was spotted effectively upstairs consistently. I still really dislike that heater and you’re too dang hittable, but props for performing against the Dodgers. Good luck figuring out when Keller will have a line like this again.

Tyler Mahle (TEX) @ SFG (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.

What is this. Mahle failed to earn a single whiff on his 92/93 mph four-seamer (0/38!) while he suddenly featured 28% cutters that returned a whole lot of strikes and helped him get through the game. You know, I dig this Canibal McSanchez approach for Mahle, but a HAISTBMBWT?! and a near 2.00 WHIP can’t be the life we live. I’m holding off on his start against the Athletics next and hoping we get more polish.

Dylan Cease (SDP) vs TBR (L) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 95 pitches.

Oh hey, Cease has decided to be super wild with his four-seamer against LHB once again. Sweet, thanks Cease. If you could just try a cutter next time you’re laboring like this just to see what happens, that would be swell. At least the slider is still really dang good. I’m conflicted about the AGA status of Cease. On one hand, his ratios are horrible, but that’s really just because of one terrible day at the park. He also is continuing to earn whiffs and this was the only game with a terrible strike rate. It’s not like you’re benching him. I’ll give it one more, but move him to the bottom of the tier.

Brad Lord (WSN) vs NYM (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.

Not so terrible! Still not helpful, but it’s something! 8/49 whiffs on the 95 mph four-seamer is kinda cool, even if he featured them way too much over the plate to LHB, and the slider…well that’s about it. There’s no reason to add Brad to your teams. But I want to call him m’Lord. Okay, there’s one reason to add him to your teams.

Walker Buehler (BOS) @ CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.

This is more inline with what I expect from Buehler when he’s not facing a team like the CrySox. His LHB approach is still getting figured out with far too many cutters over the plate and a change + curve combo that returned 1/29 whiffs on the day. But hey, a Win and PQS! But the ratios and just three strikeouts. I know, I’m not too thrilled either. I guess he’s just a Toby now? Unless he gets RHB-heavy lineups where the sweeper can be the difference maker (not guaranteed!), I’m not sure there’s a path toward Holly for Buehler.

Hunter Greene (CIN) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. It wasn’t fun early, but he settled in and gave you 20 whiffs. Atta boy. Don’t be too mad that the slider went 59% strikes, Coors does things to breakers.

Sonny Gray (STL) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 91 pitches.

A VVPQS is not what we want on this Gray day. I wish it were always Sonny. Me too. At least he’s back to 92/93 mph and his LHB command is likely to be better than this moving forward.

Roki Sasaki (LAD) vs PIT (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.

Still holding onto Sasaki, eh? A near PQS with just four strikeouts and eight whiffs against the Pirates isn’t the greatest inspiration for future success. That slider is still a mess to watch with 46% strikes across 24% usage and I’m still waiting for a sinker or cutter to appear. One day. You don’t have to hold Sasaki, you know.

Brandon Young (BAL) @ DET (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.

Oh to be young again. Wait, a guy with a WHIP over 2.00? At least he’s in the majors! Okay fair. I do love that Young has fantastic pitch separation and avoids the heart of the plate, though he’s not quite polished to the point of nailing those strikes and inducing the chases he needs to convert quick outs. I can see how it works, though, and if he survives in the rotation post Gibson, there will be a time he gets the streaming call and maybe turns into a Toby.

Antonio Senzatela (COL) vs CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.

Senz-A does what Senz-A does. Yeah, stay off my fantasy teams. That’s one of them.

Ben Lively (CLE) vs BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 104 pitches.

This wasn’t the time to chase Lively, but there was a chance it would work out. Welp, maybe against the Twins up next for those in AL-Only leagues.

Tanner Houck (BOS) @ CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 94 pitches.

The sweeper got a little more break but the splitter ain’t there. I am happy to see the sinker and sweeper have better pitch separation this time out, but he missed terribly armside with both a fair amount. I’m still out on this.

Jeffrey Springs (ATH) vs CHW (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 100 pitches.

Springs is still searching for sunshine and rainbows as it was a cloudy day in Chicago. He got his changeup down per usual, but everything was still hit and I can make it easy for you. Just don’t? You’ll be happy and…something for doing so.

Quinn Priester (MIL) @ STL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 102 pitches.

Hey Priester, weren’t you supposed to be at the Vatican this weekend? The slider needs to perform better than 17% CSW for this to work – relying on that 93 mph sinker to get double-digit called strikes every game can’t be the solution.

Grant Holmes (ATL) @ ARI (ND) – 5.2 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.

Blegh. This was wild to watch. The Real Estate Broker allowed most of these runs across three Eugenio Suárez HRs. But no, I’m not brushing off this start. Holmes hasn’t looked like his best self and I imagine it’s really frustrating hearing me tout the fella only for him not to display the skills I keep describing. Here? The slider returned a heavy 71% strike rate, but just 5/34 whiffs, while the curveball was barely touched. Just so we’re on the same page, last year Grant’s curve returned a 24% SwStr rate and 71% strike rate across 22% usage, while the slider held a 25% SwStr rate and 32% usage. That’s what I’ve been expecting and waiting to appear, especially with the improved four-seamer that theoretically should make him more consistent (and there’s even a better cutter now!). However, the slider and curve are just not there and it’s pretty upsetting. With the Dodgers up next, I’m fine dropping Grant for something else, though I do want to say that the breakers should get their act together at some point. Maybe next start, maybe next month, I don’t know. At the very least, you’ll want his start after the Dodgers when he hosts the Reds. Surely the risk/reward is the right balance there.

Ben Brown (CHC) vs PHI (L) – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 80 pitches.

All I’m saying is that if Brown had a third pitch, then he wouldn’t get so much destruction off the four-seamer. JUST SAYING. At least it’s getting some whiffs these days, but you really shouldn’t be trusting him in 12-teamers until there is something new helping apply a limiter to the low end.

Doug Nikhazy (CLE) vs BOS (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 6 BBs, 3 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.

I remember watching Nikhazy during the spring and getting excited at this prospect I never heard of featuring 7.2 feet of extension and 16-17″ of vert on his, uh, 89/90 mph four-seamer from the left side. Sadly, he got destroyed after that first game and has doneso ever since, rooted in poor control of his arsenal. He’s Joey Cantillo without the absurd changeup and worse control. He needs a bit more refinement, of course.

Connor Gillispie (MIA) @ SEA (L) – 2.0 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 53 pitches.

Even @TEA, this was rough. If you haven’t Shutout CG from your teams yet, I’m not sure what else I can do for you.

 

Watch Nick Discuss The Roundup Live On YouTube

 

Game of the Day

 

Jack Leiter vs. Jordan Hicks – It’s Jack Zippo making his return from a blister injury vs. the man I keep believing in and hope this is the start I stop getting so much hate mail.

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)