Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday 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.
Dean Kremer (BAL) vs ARI (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 10 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 100 pitches.
I have to take a moment to talk Dean Kremer after the fella now has four (five…?) straight productive starts including today’s 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 10 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 100 pitches against the Sneks. Sure, no Win and a near VPQS, but ten strikeouts?! For the second time in four games?!
All I want is an obvious smoking gun and sadly, I don’t see one we can truly latch onto. Dangit, where that man Chekhov at?! Maybe it’s the nine called strikes on sinkers (six of them called punchouts!), but Kremer earned just seven whiffs total between cutters and four-seamers + the splitter was a minor impact player.
Really, it’s just that sinker becoming a strikeout pitch as it zoomed back over the plate. Isn’t that not very sustainable? Correct, it’s not. Mix in the elevated walk rate and you have yourself a weird outing for Kremer that doesn’t demand an add off the wire. That said, it’s the Mariners next, and if you want to Vargas Rule this (even with the poor ratios here!), go dance with the candelabra and be my guest. I don’t see a breakout arm here, sadly.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Justin Verlander (HOU) @ DET (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 95 pitches.
Hey that’s pretty dope, especially as a rebound to the disaster against the Yankees earlier this week. Four-seamers were back to the top of the zone, promoting ten whiffs of their own, though I’m a little worried his slider and curve still need a bit of work. Whatever, we cool.
Yu Darvish (SDP) vs LAD (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 101 pitches.
That’s gorgeous. Darvish had no fear against the Dodgers and put up a Gallows Pole, dominating with four-seamers up and sliders consistently earning strikes. Why does it have to be Atlanta next?! I guess we’re also starting him there…? Brutal.
Alek Manoah (TOR) vs MIN (L) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 78 pitches.
Okay, there’s your Gold Star for the day. I expected the worst for Manoah given all his troubles and an outing like this is sure to get picked up in many leagues, even as just a spec add. My take is simple: I don’t trust it. His arsenal isn’t special and the command wasn’t so incredible that I’m ready to take the plunge. But it’s the Rays next. Honestly, I don’t care. I’m not doing it.
Bailey Ober (MIN) @ TOR (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 104 pitches.
It really is a joy to see classic Ober once again. Great pitch locations overall and I have as much confidence as you could possibly have for the gentle giant. Keep starting the man, of course.
Logan Allen (CLE) @ CHW (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
Ayyyy it worked! Even after his disaster last time out! Blame it on the White Sox. And Logan’s ability to avoid the heart of the plate and get all three of his major weapons along the edges. That’s how it’s done.
Luis Gil (NYY) @ TBR (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 91 pitches.
I’m still hoping for more overall strikes from Gil, but we’ll absolutely take this final line + great general locations across his stuff. He’s not unlocked yet…
Seth Lugo (KCR) @ LAA (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 112 pitches.
This is getting absolutely wild. Lugo earned a King Cole on the back of a 52% CSW curveball + sinkers for called strikes and I’m absolutely blown away by Lugo’s success after a few weeks of struggling. Yes, you hold until this ends, even if this was the Angels. And I’m also aware of how he’s had most of his success across three of the last four starts, but it doesn’t matter. You roll with this in a Vargas Rule fashion until further notice.
Ty Blach (COL) vs TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 70 pitches.
COL story, Bro. But it wasn’t that bad and he got a Win! I SAID COL STORY BRO. Okay, okay, I get it. Yeesh.
Kyle Hendricks (CHC) @ PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
Didn’t expect this to go well in the slightest. No, we’re not chasing Hendricks again. There’s too much to risk without the allure you want from the wire.
Alex Wood (OAK) @ SEA (L) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 60 pitches.
Wood left this one with a shoulder injury, which was pretty apparent, given a large two-tick velo drop across the board. That makes Alex driftWood on the wire definitively. He was already on the wire definitively. WELL NEVER MIND THEN.
José Ureña (TEX) @ COL (L) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 92 pitches.
Oh no, it’s more Ureña magic. This. Won’t. Last. Seriously, Eovaldi could be back by the next turn or two and even if you felt the highly questionable urge of starting Ureña, you’d be spared the decision. Phew.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs OAK (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 100 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Remember not to be scared of early Castillo again.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 86 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. We saw nearly two ticks of added velocity but just 3/39 four-seamer whiffs as Gallen used his pitches all around the zone with solid pitch separation for the first time in ages. I kinda dig it, but just four whiffs and a 19% CSW aren’t only a product of facing the Orioles. Maybe high heaters with armside curves and changeups aren’t the answer…?
Bailey Falter (PIT) vs CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 81 pitches.
It’s pretty weird to see Falter still in the rotation after both Jones and Skenes have been promoted. I’m glad he did well despite the HAISTBMBWT?! and that’s the end of my praises. This ain’t it.
MacKenzie Gore (WSN) @ BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 111 pitches.
Yep, he’s elevating four-seamers with intent. Grab him while you still can, it’s legit. This is a solid arm with a variety of pitches while sitting 96/97 mph on a well-spotted elite fastball. THINK ABOUT THAT.
Bryce Elder (ATL) @ NYM (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
You started him for a potential Win and didn’t get it. WELP. I really don’t think he does enough to justify you starting him against the Padres next week.
Luis Severino (NYM) vs ATL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
This looks awfully boring, but at least that’s okay for a game against Atlanta, right? Still weird to see Sevy focus on sweepers as his primary secondary pitch these days and I’m still out on him as a reliable fantasy pitcher. Nothing is there shouting Add Me from his arsenal. That’s because they can’t speak. Wow, nothing gets past you.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs WSN (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 68 pitches.
Despite the single strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!), Bello did fine in his Still ILL outing, even earning you a Win across just 68 pitches. Expect 75-80 against the Cardinals with smooth sailing next time out.
Bryse Wilson (MIL) vs STL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
Womp womp. He had a brilliant outing vs. Ragans where he deserved his success, and then had this clunker against a worse Cardinals offense. That’s baseball, Suzyn. Welp, back to the drawing board.
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs HOU (L) – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 99 pitches.
A slightly better PQS isn’t ideal, but the Jack found in this box was filled with strikeouts you can take home to your mother. His breakers are still magnificent and he was able to feature fastballs away from the heart of the plate. Keep riding with Flaherty, he’s in a great place.
Miles Mikolas (STL) @ MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.
I guess you’re happy you got a Win, but a VPQS with just three strikeouts isn’t actually enough. Thing is, this is arguably the best-case scenario for Mikolas and that should terrify you. Stop rostering the man.
Kyle Harrison (SFG) vs CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 98 pitches.
Blegh. He’s a Cherry Bomb and generally matchup-agnostic. I really should be more aggressive on those labels for Harrison – The spinner record may change songs but never leaves its grooves.
Walker Buehler (LAD) @ SDP (L) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 77 pitches.
So many poor pitches down the middle. The stuff is there, but it’s clear Buehler is still working out how to get his mojo back. He has no feel for his pitches at the moment. That said, I’d still give it a whirl against the Reds next week when they visit Los Angeles. It’ll get better for Buehler over time and that’s too nice of a potential Win.
Patrick Sandoval (LAA) vs KCR (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.
The man got Singled Out, but it’s not like he was featuring his best sliders and changeups, either. I know he’s had some success lately, but this start didn’t do a whole lot of convincing for us to hold him for the Rangers next or stash him beyond it. Let him go back to the wire.
Michael Soroka (CHW) vs CLE (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 71 pitches.
Just stop giving Soroka a chance until we see something new from him. Like a robe? Sure, like a robe. Or maybe a legit fastball or new changeup or WHATEVER. Yeah but a robe would look siiiiick.
Frankie Montas (CIN) @ SFG (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 78 pitches.
Welp, he didn’t pitch well and not even a start in Oracle Park could save him. And now it’s the Dodgers, leading any of you who tried Montas for a desperate Sunday to easily drop him for whatever you want tomorrow.
Braxton Garrett (MIA) vs PHI (ND) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.
Eight strikeouts on seven whiffs is a bit shocking. Garrett’s return from the IL gave us just sinkers and sliders for the most part and that’s not the guy we wanted to see. The Mets should make for a softer reintroduction to the game but we shouldn’t expect the same strikeout total + will he have his changeup or cutter back? I think I’m avoiding it.
Tyler Alexander (TBR) vs NYY (L) – 7.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.
Ouch. It’s for the best that starts like these happen to deter you from actually investing in T-Lex. He’s not the arm you’re looking for.
Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ MIA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 80 pitches.
Aces gonna stumble the eve before they would have been coronated as SP #1. BASEBALL IS SO CRUEL.
Game of the Day
Shota Imanaga vs. Reynaldo López – We all love Imanaga and Reynaldo has been cruising.
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)