Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Friday 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.
Christian Scott (NYM) @ LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 74 pitches.
“He’s a stud! He’s terrible! He’s going to always pitch exactly like he did in his last start!” You may hear these all the time (yes, all three) and it overlooks the fact that pitchers are just like computers. Sometimes, all you need to do is turn it off and on again. Christian Scott is the latest great example of this after he walked five and hit a batter in four outs last week only to return to the majors for a beautiful 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 74 pitches (ND) performance against the Angels. And it shouldn’t be a major surprise.
He had all the jitters last time out in a Still ILL (not a PILOT Rule as I orginally said, my bad y’all, but same idea!), and after getting the first outing out of the way + less adrenaline pitching away from the home crowd, Scott did exactly what he has done in the minors this season: He threw strikes. Both the cutter and four-seamer returned 75% strikes, the sweeper returned 5/18 whiffs, and he returned a phenomenal 74% two-strike rate. He’s a solid pitcher.
It doesn’t mean you have to pick him up right now, though. He’s set for Coors next (ugh), then the Tigers + Nationals, with the latter sure to force him to go four-seamer/cutter with splitters as he may get 100% LHB. That said, I do believe when we look back at Scott’s season in October, we’re going to see a productive 12-teamer starter after his first horrific outing. 96 mph with decent vert and a 1.5 HAVAA merged with solid high intent & execution is a fantastic foundation + a whiffable sweeper + the new cutter make for a solid overall arsenal. The Mets need all the help they can get, and as long as Scott doesn’t break down, he’s here to stay. It’s up to you if you’re willing to risk the next few weeks for the June+ production, I believe he should be rostered in all 12-teamers.
Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:
Noah Schultz (CHW) @ SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.
This was a real test for Schultz, who has dealt with his debut and Sacré Verde + an easier time against the Nationals last time out, and had to deal with a 100% RHB lineup. He didn’t pass in flying colors, despite the ratios. Yeah, three walks to two strikeouts, what happened? He doesn’t have an out pitch. That should be the changeup, but it went 0/6 whiffs, while the cutter, four-seamer, and sinker returned 2/56 whiffs between them. Yuck. I mean, they did earn outs and strikes, so that’s cool. Okay, not the cutter, which was the most impressive pitch of his debut and went just 30% strikes here. What this does display is the power of his fastballs over the plate, which continue to be difficult to hit. It could be something real for a while and he’s a clear hold, especially in hope for the changeup and sweeper to take another step forward.
Shane McClanahan (TBR) vs SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 73 pitches.
He had himself a picnic on the mound, chomping on an apple, throwing a disgusting changeup, then downing it with a splash of wine. Have you tried the cheese? Here’s 25% SwStr on 32 four-seamers. It was an outing of 63%+ strikes on everything and boy is it nice to see McShane do what he’s supposed to do.
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) @ WSN (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 85 pitches.
Aces gonna get a hamstring cramp and leave the sixth during a no-hitter he was never actually going finish, and still earn a Gallows Pole. He’s throwing more strikes than last year and he’s simply incredible. What a guy.
Jake Bennett (BOS) vs HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
I had a thought just yesterday. What the Red Sox really need is another southpaw to enter the rotation. Jake Bennett answered my non-existent prayers, and boasted an impressive MLB debut against the Astros on Friday night. Now that he rejected the “Pilot Rule”, I’m sure you’re wondering if we should be chasing Bennett over all the other fun prospects out there. Well, the answer is… Yes and no. That’s not helpful. YOU’RE NOT HELPFUL. Bennett is a southpaw with 92 mph heat + a tight changeup at 7.2 feet of extension. Wait a sec— HE’S A SWATCH. I was impressed by his changeup and fastball command to go BSB against RHB, though across twenty-two pitches to LHB, Bennett threw just two breakers – a pair of 80 mph curveballs that could be decent in time, but are clearly not there yet. I’m a little worried about that, while he also sports four-seamers with horrific movement, and stole a strikeout to one of his fewer LHB in the first as the sinker missed its spot to Alvarez, but landed just far enough inside for a backdoor called strikeout. It may be enough for the Tigers on Wednesday, but without the strong breaking ball, I worry a touch that this is too changeup dependent for the second outing of his career. There’s also the question of how the Red Sox will structure their rotation when Gray returns, which may result in just one more outing from Bennett. With so many electric arms to chase, I think Bennett isn’t the highest ceiling to take for your standard prospect with the Shag Rug in tow.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 104 pitches.
Nothing like a Friday stroll down the Reds Carpet. With the Sneks + Rockie Road + Cardinals up next, even with my lack of enthusiasm for longevity, that seems good enough to hold, right? I wish it were better than 1/24 whiffs and 54% strikes on his sweeper, but we can’t have it all.
Will Warren (NYY) vs BAL (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 94 pitches.
He’s proving himself incredibly useful this season and for those who are wondering what happens when Cole/Rodón return, you should stop doing that. Who knows what the rotation will look like then? And get this – his sweeper was awesome. Thanks for chasing, Orioles. He needed the confidence against RHB. What about the slowball? Oh! Right! Three strikeouts to LHB on the pitch. WE’RE SO BACK. Congrats on the King Cole fella.
Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
Sooooo Wheeler sat 93/94 mph across the full start (not dipping later on), which is 2-3 ticks down from last year’s 95/96 mph. Is that bad? Uhhhh, yes…? But this start was dope. Hmmm. Yeah, that’s true, and it was rooted in his four-seamer dominating upstairs with its 1.7 HAVAA and 7.2 feet extension, and if he can do this at a 83% strike rate, yeah, it doesn’t matter. He’ll assuredly have to improve his suspect sinker and secondary command against tougher teams, and this outing might be an indication that it’ll take some time for him to get to 94/95 mph, if he gets there at all. Where would that leave us? With a solid Holly. And that’s totally cool with me.
Jose Quintana (COL) vs ATL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
Quintana, you rascal. He saw Martín Pérez shock us all as a veteran SWATCH and told Atlanta Hold my Coors.
Walbert Ureña (LAA) vs NYM (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 68 pitches.
Oh Mets, how kind you are. Ureña still doesn’t have a breaking ball to rely upon and even his filthy changeup was distant from its peak at a 44% strike rate, while the hard 97/98 mph fastballs did what we’ve seen already – sinkers landing a bit too off the plate, while the four-seamers were unpunished until his very last pitch of the game – a heater driven at 103 mph by Bichette to lead off the sixth and booting Ureña from the game. It’s the CrySox next and if he continues to earn enough strikes with either fastball, it could work again. You can see the limited upside without a breaker + volatile command + the early LAA hook, so don’t attack this aggressively.
Matthew Liberatore (STL) vs LAD (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 96 pitches.
Just his second productive start in five games comes against…the Dodgers. Uh huh. Take your Gold Star, Libby. No, this doesn’t make me trust you against the Brewers.
Colin Rea (CHC) vs ARI (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 102 pitches.
Atta boy Rea, way to come through, even past the Careful, Icarus of allowing the first batter of the sixth to reach, turning into his second ER of the game. It was a start of his splitter and slider taking over + four-seamers earning tons of strikes upstairs and I am so down for the Reds Carpet up next.
Patrick Corbin (TOR) @ MIN (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 79 pitches.
This marks four straight games of 2 ER or fewer, averaging a little over five innings per outing. Now he’ll get the Rays twice and if he has the same sinker/change precision down-and-away to RHB, he could find enough outs for another dub in one of those two games. That’s the best endorsement I can give Corbin for those in deep formats.
Eury Pérez (MIA) vs PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 96 pitches.
Samulski is all about Pérez performing better at home and would you look at that. He actually got his four-seamer elevated with his secondaries down to LHB, though his RHB approach had donut command all over it, either down the pipe or secondaries missing out of the zone save for one lovely sweeper away for a strikeout. We keep rolling and hope he can showcase better command on the road in a week and two.
Robbie Ray (SFG) @ TBR (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.
Two solo shots and a double converted on outs were the only blemishes here. The changeup was great against RHB, and we’re all cool here.
Mike Burrows (HOU) @ BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 94 pitches.
Ah, nothing like Fenway to provide a decent Burrows start, amirite? Yes, a VPQS with just three strikeouts is decent for Burrows right now. He’s not locked in with his command, though. Soon enough.
Jake Irvin (WSN) vs MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 98 pitches.
Yeaaaaah, the curveball was cool, but the rest is not. Don’t go for Irvin. I already knew that. Well GOOD FOR YOU. Thanks…? Sorry, I heard a train pass by. Yeah, good stuff.
MacKenzie Gore (TEX) @ DET (ND) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 94 pitches.
Uhhhh wat. A ton of foul balls + poor feel for any of his secondaries = a laborious start of inefficiency. This was also forty-five degrees. Not even May can save us. He’ll get the Yankees next and I’d be cautious there. I know this was weather-based, but it was another opportunity to convince he’s coming around and meh.
Cole Ragans (KCR) @ SEA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna allow three HRs and strike everyone else out. He’s at 95/96 mph and you really don’t need to worry. Sure, the changeup could have been better as a nullifier, but we’re fine here. Nearly a PQS but he allowed a solo shot and got the hook.
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) @ STL (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 97 pitches.
Two HRs made up three of these runs and a co-share of the Gallows Pole should be all kinds of encouraging, but there is something to be said about three hits allowed on his four-seamer, including the 3-2 92.9 mph heater to Gorman that left the yard in the first inning. He maxed at just 95.3 mph this time and it truly is the difference between a strong arm and a HIPSTER. Call me Duchovny, as I want to believe, but it’s a tough call against Atlanta up next.
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs TOR (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 88 pitches.
The Twins are definitely removing him from the rotation when Abel returns, right? Right?!
Joey Cantillo (CLE) @ ATH (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 69 pitches.
That’s four starts with just sixteen strikeouts where you endured a ton of poor ratios. Then again, it was Sacré Verde and the Royals are up next. Then the Angels. Then Reds Carpet. Gotta hold, right?
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs TEX (ND) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
It was 45 degrees, but it sure wasn’t a cute start. Ayyyyy. I’d continue ignoring Flaherty indefinitely.
Brady Singer (CIN) @ PIT (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 56 pitches.
Blegh. I wasn’t particularly high on Singer here, but I at least thought he could be more competitive in PNC Park than this. Just one strikeout?! HAISTBMBWT?! A very easy ignore moving forward.
Grant Holmes (ATL) @ COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches.
I get it, now. If the REB allows a lot of HRs, it’ll break some windows, lower the property value, then he’ll SWOOP IN FOR THE DOLLA DOLLA. You called? Sorry Chase, didn’t mean to bother you. Good luck today. You’re talking to him on MY blurb?! Grant, buddy, pal, do better and I won’t get distracted. I deserve that.
J.T. Ginn (ATH) vs CLE (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.
Oh wow, he actually went 88 pitches after getting removed early in his last start with an arm injury. Maybe they shouldn’t have done that with Ginn sitting 1-2 ticks down. Just a thought.
Cade Povich (BAL) @ NYY (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 77 pitches.
He’s back in the majors for a moment and this was obviously not the start to let him loose. We’ve seen the fastball command look far better in the past, and it could be a much better time against the Marlins next week as he covers for Rogers. There’s a chance Trey Gibson is so good on Sunday that he takes the open spot over Povich, and I wouldn’t circle it even if Povich gets it.
Bryan Woo (SEA) vs KCR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 84 pitches.
Aces gonna come oonnnnn. He started the game with a laborious frame of getting Singled Out, settled in for five shutout frames, then two solo shots in the sixth. What’s wrong with him? Ehhhh, not much. He’s a little worse at getting his heater upstairs (especially in the first frame), but for the most part, this is a prime Buy Low. Every starter will have their down moments each season.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ CHC (L) – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 95 pitches.
Blegh. This didn’t look good on paper after a liner to the shoulder took him out of his previous start early, and it was worse on the field with consistent failure to put batters away. Just one whiff on each of his four-seamer, slider, and curve, with a goose egg on sixteen changeups. Yikes. Yeah, that’s the Gallen we know from the past. At least he has a sparkling schedule ahead – PIT, @TEX, SFG next – and I’m totally fine just waiting for production once before letting loose.
Germán Márquez (SDP) vs CHW (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 95 pitches.
Womp womp. So it wasn’t Coors after all. More at eleven.
Game of the Day
Landen Roupp vs. Griffin Jax – I hope to see more of the command ascension of Roupp + Jax is getting eased into starting, which could be super fun if his velocity can hold above 94 mph.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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