Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Sean Flight

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 Twitch weekday mornings from 10 am-12 am ET.  

Sean Manaea (SF) vs KC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 76 pitches.

After teasing us with a relief appearance earlier in the week, Sean Manaea finally got his first proper start of the season and it was everything we hoped it would be – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 76 pitches with a four-seamer that sat 94+ mph and set up his slider and changeup for 10 whiffs across them. Sigh, I’m so happy right now.

There really isn’t much more to this except to say “yoooo Manaea is much better now and he should be rostered in all leagues.” He deserves that shoutout at the top of the roundup. But what about Ross Stripling? Why are the Giants doing him dirty? Honestly, I have no idea why they used him in relief after Manaea today, and Stripling deserves better than being in an unfamiliar role and allowed 4 ER in 1.2 frames. The Giants are adamantly against a six-man rotation for some reason and are playing this game of piggyback and I hate it. These guys deserve to get the pearl at the start of the game with the chance of perfection. It’s the greatest dream in baseball and 30 guys get a chance at history every day. Let them have it.

As for Stripling, I imagine he’ll start early next week, which means he’ll get the Dodgers instead of the Tigers. That’s silly and annoying and you likely need to move on. Why do we play fantasy baseball.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:

 

Jordan Montgomery (STL) @ MIL (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 100 pitches.

Yesssss. The changeup returned to normal (the curve not so much, 8/17 strikes?!) and it allowed The Bear to cruise against the Brewers. Y’all know the strikeouts aren’t real and we can be happy he made it through seven frames and triple-digit pitches. He’s solid and will be hovering in the Top 50 SPs all year.

Jeffrey Springs (TB) vs OAK (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 89 pitches.

Jeeeez, this is getting weird. That’s a King Cole as Springs did exactly what he was supposed to do against the Athletics, though his slider is still in development and will get exposed when he faces legit left-handers. Guys like, oh I don’t know, Rafael Devers next week against Boston. We’re all obviously starting Springs there, but I am incredibly curious to see how Springs performs with a proper challenge.

Nick Lodolo (CIN) @ PHI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 106 pitches.

Okay, I’m really regretting having any doubts about Lodolo after totaling 37 whiffs in his first two games. The fastball dominated the zone, the curve looked dumb at times, and the Phillies didn’t have an answer for him. He’s also chucking 100+ pitches along the way and it just feels like Lodolo has it in him to carry it throughout the year. But hey, no Win because Reds n all, and it’s just two games. Lodolo is so hot right now, but we also know that consistent command hasn’t been his M.O. so far in the Majors. Sure looks great, though.

Michael Wacha (SD) @ ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 95 pitches.

Ummmm what?! I’m incredibly shocked by this one for a variety of reasons. His velocity was still down as he started a bit late in the spring (late signing with the Padres). His overall command was good, but not ten-strikeouts-against-Atlanta good. But I guess Atlanta just let him get all the called strikes he wanted, then swung at all the wrong pitches. Atta boy Wacha, I really didn’t think you had it in you this quickly. He gets the Brewers next and that doesn’t seem like the worst idea right now.

Kodai Senga (NYM) vs MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.

I wish Senga could pitch only against the Marlins the entire season. Suitman whispers in my ear Both the Athletics and Nationals in his next three games?! Yeeeesh, we’re making his transition to US ball pretty smooth.

Justin Steele (CHC) vs TEX (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.

This was weird. Steele leaned heavily on the heater and I wouldn’t call it a “premier four-seamer” day, but he went for it anyway and managed to survive. I’m glad for today and scared for tomorrow with two starts against the Dodgers on the horizon. Not for me.

Marco Gonzales (SEA) @ CLE (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.

That’s one out from a VPQS for Marco and honestly, that’s what you wanted from him if you let him fly. But those ratios are poor. You got the Win without legit damage, it’s what you wanted.

Bailey Falter (PHI) vs CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 86 pitches.

Ayyyy this stream worked. His throwing softer than last year and only rosterable against weak opponents, but yay! It worked!

Jhony Brito (NYY) @ BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 92 pitches.

I didn’t rank Brito favorably today because 1) I imagined he wouldn’t go more than five, 2) I didn’t see him as a heavy strikeout arm, and 3) it was hazy whether he could replicate the ratios. I’m thrilled I was wrong about the latter, though the first two concerns were still present…and it doesn’t matter. He’s a changeup first, four-seamer/sinker second, curveball for surprise strikes third. Solid command all the way through here, too, and I think it legit works. The Yankees really should keep Brito up, though it likely would mean the Twins then Angels (if he sticks through a possible Luis Severino return). Not ideal, but there’s a chance it works.

Trevor Williams (WSH) @ COL (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 88 pitches.

What is going on with Coors? Are the hitters adjusted to the road now and can’t figure out how the ball will move in Colorado? I’m being a bit tongue-in-Maurice-cheek here, likely to hold back on a potential replication of wait, how is Williams doing this? Those were some dark times, y’all. Dark times.

Charlie Morton (ATL) vs SD (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 104 pitches.

Yeah, we’ll take this with all the concern we’ve had about Morton, even if it came with a horrid 1.80 WHIP. I still need to see more from his curveball before feeling fantastic about it – 58% fastballs at a mediocre 23% CSW isn’t thrilling – but now he gets the Royals and we can exhale. Hopefully. Maybe a mini-exhale? Peep.

Martín Pérez (TEX) @ CHC (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.

Sure, I’ll take this from Pérez. His velocity is down and the cutter/sinker command was far worse than what we want, but you’re not hurting anywhere here. Like a free beer on your birthday, gotta love that (still tip your bartenders, y’all). He gets the Astros next, though, so let’s not take this too far.

Tanner Houck (BOS) @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 74 pitches.

I’m glad to see Houck was in fact able to subdue the Tigers, a task aided by 30% sliders with a fantastic 43% CSW. There still isn’t much else in the repertoire to rely on, sadly, and he’s not worth the look in your leagues. Far too volatile.

Cal Quantrill (CLE) vs SEA (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.

Is the regression actually hitting Nicoderm CQ finally? Am I having my modern-day Trevor Williams moment?! It’s the Nationals and Tigers next. Oh. He should be fine there. But if he isn’t…nah, I’ll never root for that. I want every pitcher to be dope.

Trevor Rogers (MIA) @ NYM (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.

Rogers ain’t ready yet y’all. I dunno when he will be (at least the changeup earned some whiffs today…?) but now’s not the time to chase it with Coors ahead. Just let him figure it out and get the thought of early 2021 out of your head.

Cole Irvin (BAL) vs NYY (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 101 pitches.

Blegh. This is why he was a Do Not Start. We don’t start Toby types against good offenses.

Joe Ryan (MIN) vs HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 81 pitches.

That’s a Gallows Pole for Ryan as he earned a whopping 50% CSW on 46 four-seamers, carrying 14 whiffs along the way. Yes, we like this. The sweeper was decent but still has some work to do with a low 52% strike rate, while the splitter was inconsistent. Imagine if Ryan actually gets one of those secondaries cooking…

Mike Clevinger (CWS) @ PIT (W) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 88 pitches.

Ahhhhh, so he hasn’t changed. Look at the Pirates, embarrassing the White Sox arms two games in a row, maybe even moreso here with a HAISTBMBWT?! in what ended up being a “What Son?!” instead of a “Sure lock”. Live a happy life and forget about Clevinger completely.

Luis Garcia (HOU) @ MIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 86 pitches.

Hmmmmm. Four-seamer was down nearly two ticks, the cutter and slider combined for 23% CSW and I’m out of things to say. Oh, his schedule is terrible moving forward, there’s that as well. This is kinda terrible, isn’t it? Yeaaaaah, it’s not great. I get that you can’t really drop him in 15-teamers (what else is there?) but in your 12-teamers, I think you can move on.

José Berríos (TOR) @ LAA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 71 pitches.

Nope, still out on Berríos. The pain of enduring the valleys far outweighs the potential pain of missing out on peak Berríos. Trust me.

Brady Singer (KC) @ SF (ND) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 79 pitches.

Well this is a bummer. Sinker was down 1.5 ticks on both heaters and sliders, with the latter not coming through on its side of the called strike/whiff bargain as it added just five whiffs to the pile. And yet, it’s the same story – Singer wasn’t a whole lot different from his usual self here: still a ton of called strikes, his command was pretty much the same, and it was a worse result today. That’s gonna happen with Singer and we just have to deal with it. Nick, you mentioned the velocity. Oh, okay fine. There’s that. I imagine that’s just a weird thing today.

Austin Gomber (COL) vs WSH (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 82 pitches.

I really miss those moments we had any sort of excitement surrounding Gomber. Maybe when he finds himself on another ball club one day. Monkey paw curls…NOT THE NATIONALS.

Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs TOR (ND) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.

Blegh. I’ve already said it today and we’re doing it again. Don’t start Toby types against great offenses. We got it? Good.

Shintaro Fujinami (OAK) @ TB (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 79 pitches.

Just one strikeout?! HAISTBMBWT?! He’s a Cherry Bomb and you knew that coming into it. We don’t roster those, we have too much to lose.

Zach Davies (ARI) vs LAD (ND) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 86 pitches.

Davies left this one with an oblique injury…which means Drey Jameson likely has a rotation spot moving forward. It could be the Marlins up next for Drey and I’m all for picking him up for it. He’s looked great in April out of relief, the only drawback is a likely low pitch count.

Vince Velasquez (PIT) vs CWS (L) – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 75 pitches.

Look, I can get upset at others for a HAISTBMBWT?! but Vince? Nah, he’s just happy to be here.

Joey Wentz (DET) vs BOS (L) – 1.2 IP, 5 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 0 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 47 pitches.

Oh Wentz, you looked out into the horizon and saw opportunity, and what did you do? Squint and say it was just a crow. A crow! And now your opportunity came and Wentz. Joey will likely be canceled in the rotation for Garrett Hill (well, he did allow 3 ER after in relief so what do I know) and no one will even notice. I really had higher hopes for you. I really did.

Eric Lauer (MIL) vs STL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.

The Cardinals are a legit offense and Lauer’s four-seamer is 90/91 mph, not 93-95 mph. This is the final Lauer.

Noah Syndergaard (LAD) @ ARI (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 72 pitches.

Ouch. His slider was far worse with just 50% strikes and 1/14 CSW, the heater fell a tick down to 93 mph, and his changeup missed just one bat on the night. Thor’s poor and seven years removed from his peak. He’s a Toby in a good situation, which means we’re gonna have to endure nights like these if we want to enjoy the solid mediocrity with a good amount of Wins. The choice is yours and yours alone.

 

Game of the Day 

Yusei Kikuchi vs. Reid Detmers – Will Kikuchi have his command? Can the Jays get in the way of Detmers’ Destiny?!

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 GEPA/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)