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 Twitch.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs CIN (ND) – 8.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 95 pitches.
It’s sure nice to see Sandy Alcantara toss a CGSHO and follow it up with 8.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 95 pitches, even if the end of it was pain. We’re talking eight shutout frames, a quick first out, then a double + walk before exiting the 2-0 game. Of course inherited runners scored and he lost the Win. Of course.
That stuff doesn’t really matter at this point, though. What actually matters (as it always does for these roundups, after all): Does this start give us insight into how he’ll perform in the future? And to that, I’ll say…maybe. You’ve got to be kidding me. Nearly two straight CGSHO! I know! IT’S AWESOME. He also faced the White Sox and Reds Carpet, but so have many others and none have seen the ninth frame. Sandy has a special ability of throwing fastballs and sinkers for strikes that generate efficient outs, and the biggest difference from last year’s first half is his changeup feel. It wasn’t the best performance here (56% strikes), but seeing him toss it 26% of the time at the same rate as his four-seamer and sinker is bliss.
There’s also a new cutter this year at 91/92 mph, with a slower sweeper, which you wouldn’t believe made a big difference across just ten thrown between them, but three whiffs and many strikes = you’ll be seeing more of them. They help.
This is better Sandy, the one we saw in the final months, and I want to say it’s prime Sandy, though I think that was a one-year exception where everything aligned. He’s not destined to face the same terrible lineups forever, and he’ll get the hot-and-cold Tigers up next, followed by the Brewers. Not the biggest of tests, but it’ll likely help us set our expectations moving forward better than these two outlier outings.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Robbie Ray (SFG) vs PHI (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 109 pitches.
Against the Phils? Doesn’t matter. Phils Shmils, that’s what I always say. He’s a Cherry Bomb where you trust he will perform like this more than feelings the lashing of the WHIP. His four-seamer was so good upstairs to RHB, but that changeup landed inside to RHB. He got fortunate for a 39% called strike rate instead of some serious damage off the pitch. Phew.
Javier Assad (CHC) @ TBR (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 80 pitches.
Alright, I messed up here. I ranked Assad at the bottom of the ranks because I didn’t expect him to go long. I was wrong. I’m also thrilled to tell you that he’s throwing a tick harder and getting so much more movement on everything. Sure, the vert will be higher on sinkers and four-seamers in the dome, but extra drop on all his breakers? Huge jumps in sweep and ride on everything? And before you say the weather, remember, IT WAS IN A DOME. Huh, well that’s cool. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s due to an arm angle change (we don’t get that data so quickly, sadly), and the real question is if these improvements make me interested against the Phillies on Monday, or maybe the whole season as he’ll fight with Rea to take over Horton’s permanent spot (how long with Boyd miss time?). I’m not in for the Phillies, but I do recognize that the sinker is good against RHB and will generate outs with the Cubs elite defense behind him. The cutter and change are good, not stellar, and he’d make a fine Toby if he gets more time.
Reynaldo López (ATL) @ LAA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.
He was ejected after a brawl with Soler, but hot dang that slider was killing it with a 64% strike rate and 7/25 whiffs. Cool to see that, where he added a little velocity for less movement, but sadly the four-seamer is still under 95 mph with less movement and it’s not quite enough to label this anything more than a Vargas Rule. At the very least, it’s Miami next so we’re cool.
Shane Smith (CHW) vs BAL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 5 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 99 pitches.
After earning eight strikeouts and one hit, the White Sox demoted Smith to Triple-A. Wait, what. Yeaaaah, I don’t follow. Maybe they want him to work on his stamina and nail down the four-seamer command, but his curve and changeup were awesome. He’s getting more vert on the heater at near 95 mph. He’s not missing so badly. But yes, his velocity went from 97 mph to 92 mph by the fourth, likely because he tossed over 30 pitches in the second and was gassed. I do not understand.
Kyle Freeland (COL) vs HOU (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 81 pitches.
Wow Freeland. Wow. Or maybe I should be saying that about Houston. Nah, it was “Swatch” city with a changeup (not splitter!) at 79% strikes and if Freeland actually has this command, he’ll be a streamer away from Coors. But this was in Coors. And we’re so happy for him.
Paul Skenes (PIT) vs SDP (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 87 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. The velocity was down. Dude, it is so cold out there right now. Chill. Yeah, you get it.
Taj Bradley (MIN) vs DET (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 104 pitches.
That’s three now for Bradley. His four-seamer is a different animal and the cold weather isn’t affecting him, while the splitter was as good as I’ve seen from Bradley, landing low constantly to LHB for 9/25 whiffs + he even tossed 72% cutter strikes. So yeah, we Vargas Rule this until the wall hits, or maybe he simply proves to me he’s a new man. I hope so.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) @ TOR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 97 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. More high heaters are fun, 52% strikes on the pitch is not. Fortunately, everything was stellar and we don’t bat an eye.
Gavin Williams (CLE) vs KCR (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 5 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 102 pitches.
Oh look, the walks are back. And none rejoiced. It’s kinda wild to see his four-seamer lead the pack of failure with a 43% strike rate across the 30 thrown, but the sweeper, sinker, and cutter helped enough to get through the poor feel. Welcome to the Gavin experience – you’re gonna like it, but you’re not gonna like it. Why does that make sense. Tone, y’all. Tone.
Noah Cameron (KCR) @ CLE (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
Sweet. That’s your blurb. Really? I mean, yeah? He didn’t have his top-of-the-line command, but it’s all good enough to work against the Guardians. White Sox next. Sweet. Now you get it.
Aaron Civale (ATH) @ NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
Well look at this. Enjoy this Gold Star, Civale. You found strikes without landing in the heart of the zone, which is the only real chance you have at preventing disasters against the Yankees. No, you can’t believe in that.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ NYM (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.
Blegh. The cutter was used 43% of the time to RHB for just a 52% strike rate and I’m shocked to report that his curveball went 2/11 strikes. It’s like that Kobe Bryant quote: I’ll never go 0-for-6. I’ll go 0-30 before I go 0-6. Gallen didn’t have his curveball feel, sure, but it’s his best pitch. I’m surprised he didn’t throw more than eleven to give himself a chance to find it. Then again, he did allow just one earned run (one unearned, but it would have been 2nd and 3rd with two outs). I need to add an asterisk to all of this: It was SUPER windy in Citi Field yesterday, with pitch movements going bonkers, like +7/8″ of horizontal ride on his changeup (one had 26″ of horizontal movement hahahaha), and +5″ of vert on his sinker. That obviously messed with the ability to throw strikes, too, so let’s give him a pass…?
Cade Cavalli (WSN) vs STL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
One out away from a streaming victory…Sigh. Not to say that I wanted to sart him here – y’all know my thoughts about Cavalli – and his velocity was down 1-2 ticks during a 50 degree day. That’s not too cold to be the reason, right? Maybe? I hate this kind of analysis. ANYWAY, the sweeper and curve split is still around and the result was the opposite of his last start – sweeper was way better than the similar curve in both whiffs and strikes – while both pitches returned more sweep and drop than before. That’s cool. Still don’t want to go after this.
Garrett Crochet (BOS) vs MIL (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 107 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Yep, that’s Crochet. He’s dope.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) vs SEA (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 93 pitches.
And suddenly, the emotions receded with the waves, just as easily as they came in with the tide. The cutter, splitter, and curve dominated the Mariners with a BSB attack, and he returned to fastballs just 15% of the time. Whatever works, my man. It’s good to have you back.
Trevor Rogers (BAL) @ CHW (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 101 pitches.
He didn’t have slowball, which is kinda important for a SWATCH, but his improved four-seamer against a poor lineup got him through it without a hitch. Phew. We’re still golden here.
Andrew Abbott (CIN) @ MIA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 91 pitches.
Wow, both changeups and curveballs sat un 45% strikes, forcing him to throw so many four-seamers down the pipe to RHB. But it’s the Marlins, soooo he survived. He’s better than this. The Angels are next at the changeup likely won’t land just off the plate again. Meanwhile, his four-seamer vert was up two inches to 18″ and that’s kinda fantastic.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) @ SFG (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 92 pitches.
He was Singled Out here on a day when Koufax really didn’t want him to thrive, though that’s a bit on Sanchez for throwing hittable pitches when returning 14 whiffs (sixteen, FINE. It was missed bunt attempts for two). He’s also down to 94/95 mph still (was 96 mph then 95.5 last year). Yes, I question if he’s a Top 10 SP. No you don’t do anything.
Nick Pivetta (SDP) @ PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 86 pitches.
Dude earned an A+ PLV grade with our pitcher cards in the freezing cold. His locations were phenomenal, so many strikes, and it pains me to see three groundballs turn into two runs in the fifth to hand him the Loss. Life ain’t fair.
George Kirby (SEA) @ TEX (L) – 8.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
Ah, the rare CGL. And guess what? HE DID THE THING. He stopped aiming for outside sinkers and went inside for great results…save for a really bad sinker down the pipe in the fifth for a two-run shot. In fact, this was a start of more pitches down the middle of the plate than usual, and I wish Kirby also was able to locate his slider down-and-away to RHB instead of comfortably in the zone or spiking a pair. That’s where the true magic happens – inside sinkers open up whiffs away on the elite slider. IT’S COMING.
Mike Burrows (HOU) @ COL (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.
Blegh. It was Coors, don’t worry about it. Start him in Seattle + St. Louis next.
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) @ BOS (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 101 pitches.
He threw enough fastball strikes, but not curves or sliders. He’s so close. Okay maybe not given how he frequently fails to go 60%+ strike rate on all three pitches. Sorry, no AGA tag today, but after Toronto, @ MIA, and PIT, it sure feels like he could get it by the end.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) vs LAD (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 84 pitches.
It’s Gaus. He had an annoying third frame and there’s nothing new. We cool.
Cam Schlittler (NYY) vs ATH (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 84 pitches.
A King Cole ruined by a rough third of three runs, and that’s it. Yes, he missed a too many upstairs with four-seamers and cutters, but the sinker was incredible at 88% strikes and 41% CSW. His AGA will be here soon enough.
Freddy Peralta (NYM) vs ARI (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 101 pitches.
He went BSB with heaters up, curve and changeup down, but the wind was unreal at Citi Field and it messed with things. No, he doesn’t have 21″ of ride on his change. Don’t worry, it was an odd game.
Mason Englert (TBR) vs CHC (L) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 65 pitches.
This was a piggyback game with Gómez starting due to Rasmussen’s sudden paternity leave. Let’s move on.
Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.
The new arm angle is adding vert on the four-seamer with extra cut, and the new cutter is a great addition to separate from the slider, but he has to locate better, especially with the changeup at a 44% strike rate if he’s going to up its usage to 26% of the time. Wild to see him favor it on a night he couldn’t throw strikes with it. Ignore him for the Yankees next, and I might be out until the Royals on the 24th.
Matthew Liberatore (STL) @ WSN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.
Ouch. At least the changeup location was great, but the slider and four-seamer got hit, especially the hung slider to Wood. He’s a Toby and shouldn’t be this poor, but yeah, not fun.
Tarik Skubal (DET) @ MIN (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna endure a frustrating fifth with two walks starting the carousel. Yes, all pitchers are allowed to have a dumb inning. Sometimes it’s the first (Skenes), sometimes in the fifth. Weird to see 50% changeup strikes. Whatareyagonnado.
Yoendrys Gómez (TB) vs CHC (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 58 pitches.
Cool seeing Gómez pitch, he’s not going to continue as this was a sudden appearance to cover for Rasmussen. Ignore this.
Game of the Day
Shohei Ohtani vs. Dylan Cease – Uhhhh YES PLEASE.
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 Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
