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 Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Robert Gasser (MIL) vs STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 79 pitches.
We had an exciting MLB debut this weekend. No not that one, I’m obviously talking about Robert Gasser, who had a comfortable premier for the Brewers in a luscious 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 79 pitches performance against the Cardinals. Blame it on the Cardinals? Yeah, a bit.
Gasser’s sweeper is legit. 44% CSW via back-door called strikes against RHB and devastators down-and-gloveside to LHB. The question I have is if his low attack angle four-seamer can do enough at 92 mph or if the sinker is the play to keep hitters honest to set up the breaker again. Generally, I’m not a fan of low mph breaker/fastball arms from the left side (Heaney, Lodolo(ish), Manaea, Cingrani, Hall, Puk, Harrison, etc.), though Gasser did seem to have better precision than his contemporaries. In short, there didn’t seem to be enough firepower in the arm to get me amped for Gasser against stronger lineups + how does he fit into this rotation? If he were to get the Pirates next, I’d be fine with that but not as a “must add”, though there’s a chance the Brewers called him up to give his teammates a rest.
Monitor the situation and don’t feel terrible if you miss out on that Pirates start. Gasser doesn’t have enough substance to make this feel like a transparent decision.
Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:
Ranger Suárez (PHI) @ MIA (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 97 pitches.
You love to see it. Suárez is on one of his runs and it has been absolutely bliss for fantasy managers. No, it won’t last the season and this certainly has some Blame it on the Marlins at play, but who cares. Just keep starting him.
Michael King (SDP) vs LAD (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 11 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 44% CSW, 106 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! A Michael King Cole against one of the best offenses in the game, fueled by his impeccable command and shockingly seven four-seamer whiffs. This is the man he’s supposed to be and y’all better be hyped for what’s next.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) @ TBR (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 87 pitches.
The curve is still an issue and the cutter command against LHB isn’t quite there, but we’re obviously thrilled to see Schmidt plod through the Rays lineup with ease. He’s a Toby and the Twins are fine up next.
Garrett Crochet (CHW) vs CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 11 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 97 pitches.
His changeup and slider were inconsistent making for another four-seamer/cutter game and that’s obviously cool with us. It’s a lovely Gallows Pole and I hope everyone didn’t jump ship after the three-start stretch of destruction. I still wish those two secondaries were a bit better, though.
Griffin Canning (LAA) vs KCR (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 90 pitches.
Just 25% fastballs as Canning came through as our streaming pick. Not nearly the same command as other starts with sliders well over the plate, but he got through it and now gets the Cardinals. Sign me up for that one and cancel all my apointments. It’s gonna be a field day.
Bryan Woo (SEA) vs OAK (ND) – 4.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 62 pitches.
Annnnnd he left this game with forearm tightness. Wasn’t this his return from the IL for forearm tightness? Yup. So he’s going back on the IL? No, they said he may still make his next start. What. I said–THIS MAKES NO SENSE. Yeaaaaah, this is horrible.
Tyler Glasnow (LAD) @ SDP (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 99 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He’s absolutely bonkers right now and it’s hard not to love it.
Joe Ryan (MIN) @ TOR (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 104 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Great splitters stole the show here, those attention-seeking scoundrels.
Charlie Morton (ATL) @ NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 99 pitches.
Oh snap, it’s the ceiling of Morton! HOT DANG, LOOK AT YOU. He actually located his curveballs perfectly and the rest of his arsenal was able to steal all the strikes in the zone. I wish it meant I was getting back on board and could believe it would stick moving forward. Maybe test it against the Cubs and see what happens…? Ehhh, that gave me anxiety just typing the words.
Austin Gomber (COL) vs TEX (ND) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 82 pitches.
That’s another decent start from Gomber for a Gold Star as I can feel those in 15-teamers starting to lean in and wonder if they can Big Brain a move for Gomber. Please don’t. Yes, his curve and change have been well spotted, but what’s the ceiling here? AT WHAT COST?!
Taj Bradley (TBR) vs NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 93 pitches.
DID WE MISS THE BOAT?! Nah. He’s throwing harder because it was his first start of the year. The command is still a bit wonky and he’s not earning strikes at will despite having a stupid good 97 mph heater + elite 19″ of iVB. My gut says he’s a Cherry Bomb, destined to fluctuate as locations vary each time out, though why not chase this and see how it pans out?
Casey Mize (DET) vs HOU (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 88 pitches.
We’re getting there. Mize still has some things to tweak with the slider piece to find whiffs, but his four-seamer locations were on point with his elite extension at 95/96 mph. Now he gets the Marlins and I’m definitely starting him there. Still under 20% Rostered, y’all.
Jon Gray (TEX) @ COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.
14/50 slider whiffs for a 28% SwStr rate on the pitch is all kinds of bonkers. Still a two-pitch guy that breaks the Huascar Rule but hot dang, that’s fun.
Alec Marsh (KCR) @ LAA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 85 pitches.
This was a Still ILL and Marsh broke the rules with 10/43 four-seamer whiffs. It doesn’t have a great shape, but its precision upstairs did fantastic work while sliders and changeups each went 40%+ CSW. Is that enough for a stream against the Mariners next? I think in AL-Only leagues, but I think I’d avoid it in 12-teamers. I don’t quite believe in the whole arsenal.
Patrick Corbin (WSN) @ BOS (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
He survived. With a 1.60 WHIP. LET HIM HAVE THIS NICK.
Javier Assad (CHC) @ PIT (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 89 pitches.
Here’s the thing. Assad is a Vargas Rule and starts like these are awfully boring and are akin to who he really is. That said, after he faces Atlanta next week, the schedule is very much in his favor for a while. Like through the end of June while. Do with that as you want, I see Assad as a Toby and not a legit SP, but I can’t deny how this has clearly worked with a great schedule ahead.
Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs MIN (L) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.
This wasn’t the best precision we’ve seen from Kikuchi, though his four-seamer is grading out absurdly well with stupid good extension and one of the flattest four-seamers around. Just get it slightly higher and Kikuchi finds double the strikeouts here. Don’t you dare let go of him.
Logan Webb (SFG) vs CIN (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 100 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Not the WHIP you want and deservedly so with a ton of Hard Hit balls and just 8/20 sweeper strikes, but whatever. This is Webb, y’all. You know what you signed up for.
Framber Valdez (HOU) @ DET (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 103 pitches.
Six combined sliders & cutters is hilarious, but his changeup was great and helped his sinker earn more outs. We’ll take it.
Jared Jones (PIT) vs CHC (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
Aces gonna only fan four for some reason. That heater is so elite. Sigh. I wonder if Skenes will be better (probably not…?).
Cole Irvin (BAL) vs ARI (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.
Lots of heaters down the pipe and 9/20 curveball strikes make me awfully tepid on this outing from Irvin. The Jays are next, and that’s not so bad given their dearth of offense as of late, but I can’t help but feel starting Irvin is a trap. Prove me wrong…
Andrew Abbott (CIN) @ SFG (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 88 pitches.
Ehhhhh, I was hoping more here from Abbott, but we’ll take the Win all day. This wasn’t the same dominance I saw last time and I’m hestiant to continue against the Sneks. Blegh.
Carlos Carrasco (CLE) @ CHW (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.
Annnnd we’re back to 91 mph. With Texas next. And 5/46 secondary whiffs. That’s the way the Cookie crumbles. You’ve used that joke before. YOU’VE USED THAT JOKE BEFORE.
Tanner Houck (BOS) vs WSN (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 95 pitches.
Ehhhh, it wasn’t overwhelming as we’ve seen, but we should give Houck props for turning in a seven inning outing. Keep the course n all.
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) @ BAL (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 88 pitches.
Hey, we’ll take a PQS with…zero strikeouts. HAISTBMBWT?! I’m not in a QS league. Then you hate this and honestly, it wasn’t a clear start against the Orioles anyway. You’ll be fine against the Reds.
Jose Quintana (NYM) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 85 pitches.
After allowing 8 ER to the Rays, this was possibly on the good side of expectations. Yup. He’s not in rhythm and we step away until we see it return.
Lance Lynn (STL) @ MIL (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 85 pitches.
Please stop starting Lance. He is not the dragon master you want him to be.
Trevor Rogers (MIA) vs PHI (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 81 pitches.
You have to think Braxton Garrett replaces Rogers at this point. It’s been. It’s been what. I dunno, it’s existed? It has been a thing and that thing was. WAS WHAT. JUST ACCEPT REALITY WITHOUT QUALITY.
Paul Blackburn (OAK) @ SEA (L) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 89 pitches.
Womp womp. Now it’s Houston and I’m sorry but there is no severance package.
Game of the Day
Justin Steele vs. Paul Skenes – IT’S FINALLY HERE. Come join me and the PL Community watching Skenes’ MLB debut at 4:00pm ET at playback.tv/pitcherlist
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)