Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 4/9: Revvin’ Gausman

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

Kevin Gausman (TOR) @ BOS (ND) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.

The decline of Kevin Gausman has been proclaimed atop mountains for weeks after failing to showcase a splitter capable of returning swings and misses, and Wednesday brought Gausman to Fenway for what seemed like another questionable performance. And look! His splitter went 4/31 whiffs as he went 62% four-seamers that sat 92.8 mph. You haven’t given us the line yet. Fine. 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches (ND). WHAT?! I. Know. This is bonkers.

This was all four-seamers, all the time. The pitch returned 13/58 whiffs (22% SwStr!) with a 40% CSW and it doesn’t make sense. 18.3″ of vert is a different heater than we saw last year (+1.5″ is fantastic) but is that really it? A splitter that doesn’t miss bats, paired with a fastball that somehow batters can’t square up? Or maybe this is similar to Zac Gallen’s thirteen-strikeout affair against the Yankees that came down to Earth in the following outing?

I’m inclined to believe the latter. I can’t wrap my head around Gausman suddenly becoming an overpowering four-seamer pitcher (at sub 93 mph, no less) and while the splitter is returning a whole lot of strikes, its large amount of contact is just not the same. But hey, throw him out there against Atlanta and maybe it keeps going. It worked with Francis, right?

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Mitch Keller (PIT) vs STL (ND) – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! The slider had a lot more attention here, sitting two ticks down but 32% usage against RHB for 6/22 whiffs (and some hard contact) while the rest of the arsenal was…okay. I still dislike his heaters intensely, and the curve to LHB isn’t the savior pitch either. I think this was Blame it on the Cardinals. Sorry, I have no regrets about giving Mitch the Old Keller treatment. NICK! That’s too far. Sorry, sorry, uhhhh, okay. Ahem. Unfortunately, Mitch gives me Helter Keller vibes, and don’t confuse that with a Top 5 Beatles song. That’s fantastic, this is unnerving. You can stop now. THANK YOU.

Max Fried (NYY) @ DET (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 11 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 97 pitches.

Aces gonna ace with a King Cole. Fried, you’re spoiling us. Like the highly anticipated new season of your favorite drama, you’re not supposed to be good for another week or two.

Joe Ryan (MIN) @ KCR (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 85 pitches.

The velocity is up a tick from his last start to 93 mph, starting his climb back to 94 mph from last year. He also had far better splitters to LHB, while the sweeper and slider still need refinement against RHB. Regardless, aces gonna ace, and thank you for the production, Ryan.

Max Meyer (MIA) @ NYM (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches.

The slider is still great (save for the 53% strikes, but I’ll get over it) and I love his heavy sinker usage inside to RHB, but I can’t be the only one upset to see Meyer’s velocity fall down to 94 mph. Wait, wasn’t he 96+ in the spring? Yep. It fell to 95 mph last time out, but now we’re getting the same four-seamer from last year with…88/89 mph sliders that are close to the same as last year. WAIT A SECOND. Yeah. Maybe the cold? Still? At least he’s commanding well, but it’s not the guy I was falling for a month ago. I’m worried about the start against the Sneks up next.

Erick Fedde (STL) @ PIT (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.

It ain’t pretty, but that’s the second no-hit, six inning performance from a potential streamer this season. Blame it on the Pirates, but don’t overlook Fedde as a streamer moving forward. He’s a 15-teamer Toby.

Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) vs BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.

I’ve been shockingly in on Pfaadt lately since he finally presented a new approach for LHB and look at that! A successful game against the Boids of the Bay. What’s the new approach? Why, 37% changeups + curveballs! But they had a 53% strike rate. That’s enough, seriously. With a BSB approach via four-seamers upstairs + those secondaries & sweepers down, I’m cool with this. He doesn’t need to be amazing against LHB, just not terrible. I’m actually in and it feels weird. Just as a low-end Holly, nothing more.

Hunter Brown (HOU) @ SEA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 98 pitches.

He went into Seattle and sat 96/97 mph (not 95/96) without a secondary for me to fall for. But the curve! Ehhhh, it was 50/50 on execution and I’m not nearly as amped about Hunter as I was last time when he sat nearly 98 mph. The fact he only returned an 18% CSW in Seattle should raise an eyebrow for you, too.

Jack Flaherty (DET) vs NYY (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 92 pitches.

Yep, he’s in the groove that we saw last year. The slider and curve are delicately placed down, and the four-seamer is doing its best to avoid damage. Flaherty is doing the thing again.

Taijuan Walker (PHI) @ ATL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 94 pitches.

Wow, 0 ER in 4.2 frames against Atlanta? You know what, that’s deserving of a Gold Star for Taijuan. I don’t care what the ratios are, no one expected this. Good on ya.

Logan Allen (CLE) vs CHW (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 83 pitches.

It’s the White Sox and you know what, I’m already bored. I’m sorry I made you read this, you already know he’s not someone to trust. There’s nothing here to get you excited. Please stop reading this. GO. But… WHAT. Two first names. Oh. OH. It was so obvious.

Grant Holmes (ATL) vs PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 104 pitches.

FINALLY. Another start for The Real Estate Broker. And I gotta say, I loved it. But he had a 48% strike rate on the four-seamer! Yeah, that’s not quite it, but the intent was incredible! Amazing BSB pitch separation with heaters up and curves down to LHB, sliders down to RHB, and the latter was absurd at 9/25 whiffs. This was a tough Phillies team but he should get the Jays + Twins next and that’s cool with me. What if Atlanta bumps him from the rotation instead of AJSS when Strider returns? That would be absurdly silly. Holmes is over 100 pitches with an arsenal and approach that are clearly better. DON’T YOU DARE, ATLANTA.

Tylor Megill (NYM) vs MIA (L) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.

Oh baby. 9/45 four-seamer whiffs is glorious and he’s still leaning upstairs with sinkers helping against RHB. I wish the slider wasn’t returning 47% strikes, but the consistency should come over time and the foundation of heaters is very much alive. Blame the lower strike rates here for the low volume. It’ll get better.

Tyler Mahle (TEX) @ CHC (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 94 pitches.

Ayyyy seven full innings and a Win! His four-seamer must be at 93 mph now, eh? Uhhhh. What. 90.4 mph. NO WAY. But listen! Good location and 35% CSW! Nope. No no no no. Yeaaaaah, I get it.

Tanner Houck (BOS) vs TOR (ND) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.

Houck is still trying to catch up to last year’s sweeper, though there seemed to be two buckets of sweepers – some with extreme horizontal bend, and others with a touch more drop at the cost of sweep. Unfortunately, the feel for it is still off with a sub 50% strike rate and he should be thankful he was able to induce as many outs as he did with the splitter. Sadly, I think we’re still twiddling our thumbs, hoping Houck can warrant a pickup off the wire in a week or two.

Randy Vásquez (SDP) @ ATH (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 61 pitches.

When you record the same number of whiffs as walks, you know my bread ain’t gonna get buttered. He’s even down 1-2 ticks as well. Yeesh. Koufax, you’re kinder than I am.

Seth Lugo (KCR) vs MIN (L) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 109 pitches.

Ugh, a Philly with a poor WHIP and a Loss isn’t fun to see, but Lugo pitched well in this one. All cool here.

Osvaldo Bido (ATH) vs SDP (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.

Bido got Singled Out and at least he was able to throw a whole lot of strikes, eh? And now it’s the White Sox! That should be fine. If he throws strikes. Yes, if he throws strikes.

Tyler Alexander (MIL) @ COL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 79 pitches.

T-Lex hitting the showers after 3.2 frames in Colorado is as normal as brushing aside a 7-3 record from the Angels early in the season.

Ryan Pepiot (TBR) vs LAA (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.

That’s a Dusty Donut with Pepiot oddly returning just a 23% CSW despite nailing the top of the zone with his four-seamer against a questionable Angels lineup +  7/18 whiffs changeup, and a 32% CSW slider. Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. Nick, the slider was hung a ton up in the zone. Okay fine, you got me. Happy? Not at all, I wanted him to be better. ME TOO.

Luis F. Castillo (SEA) vs HOU (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 100 pitches.

Mr. Eff did what he could, but that slider is not good enough. At all. 37% strikes across 27 thrown, y’all. Oh dear. Yuuuup.

Sean Burke (CHW) @ CLE (L) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 79 pitches.

Yeaaaah. He’s at 93.8 mph now and there’s just not enough in the tank at the moment. Maybe he can find the gas he pumped in September, but the slider went 52% strikes and the curve returned 2/18 whiffs. I need more.

Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) @ TBR (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 104 pitches.

He didn’t face a single LHB and elected to make a rainbow strike zone plot with changeups and curveballs showing up for 35% usage alongside four-seamers and sliders. Thing is, he’s still over a tick down with far less vert (2-3″ less at just 14.5″ is terrible) while the slider went 1/35 whiffs. I also should add that Kikuchi has faced the White Sox, Cardinals, and Rays thus far. Just imagine how he fares against the Rangers next time out… Be careful y’all.

Jake Irvin (WSN) vs LAD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 103 pitches.

To see 10 called strikes apiece on sinkers and curves is pretty cool, though Irvin got away with many pitches down the pipe that I’m still shocked didn’t get demolished by the Dodgers. It’s good to see the curveball come alive, though, and with his seven feet of extension, there’s always hope Irvin can locate his sinker inside to RHB, nibble effectively to LHB, and let his curve do the rest. Not quite here, but it’s a good sign. A strong enough one that I’d heavily consider streaming him against the Pirates next time out.

Nick Martinez (CIN) @ SFG (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.

Not his best day of command, but the cutter went nearly 50% CSW as the four-seamer and changeup got rocked more than usual. Let’s be happy he salvaged the start with eight strikeouts and continue starting him with Seattle coming into town.

Justin Verlander (SFG) vs CIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 90 pitches.

Yeah, I see the ratios, but whoa whoa whoa! 20 Whiffs for a Gallows Pole? Nine strikeouts?! Wow Verlander, you don’t look a day over 50 30! He’s added nearly two ticks to both the four-seamer and slider, with the latter finally getting the results via 11/30 whiffs and boy, I think you’re going to like this a lot. Let it ride, y’all. Even against the Phils? I’m going for it.

Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs TEX (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches.

Oh noooo. The velocity was barely keeping its head above 90 mph and he didn’t get his splitter and four-seamer quite as separated as we’ve seen before, with two HRs really being the issue. Those dang longballs, they sneak up on ya. Welp, whatareyagonnado.

Landon Knack (LAD) @ WSN (ND) – 2.1 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 69 pitches.

You were hoping for a cheap Win. What we got was a guy refusing to throw his slider to LHB, leading to horrible curves and changeups missing the zone incessantly. Just throw the dang slider next time, okay?

Dean Kremer (BAL) @ ARI (L) – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.

This is not on Dean’s list of fun times at the park. Nope, I think it’s even slotted under “The day I accidentally said “Hey Eflin!” to Morton’s face.”

Antonio Senzatela (COL) vs MIL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 78 pitches.

Oh, you thought you were going to get away with all those hits? We all had a Spider-Senz that this would happen. You know my dream is to be Spider-Man one day. TOO BAD.

 

Game of the Day

 

Jesús Luzardo vs. Spencer Schwellenbach – We’re going to see if Luzardo is the real deal + Mr. Crescendo has his test for AGA.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

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