Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Monday 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.
Trevor Rogers (BAL) @ TBR (L) – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 88 pitches.
I get burned a lot. It’s a part of the job. After all, these are humans throwing baseballs and even if one pitcher looks great with great results one time, they could look great with terrible results the next time. And sometimes, they look flat-out terrible, making all of us wonder why I even suggested it in the first place. Trevor Rogers, as much as I’ve seen you execute beautifully this season without your reward, last night’s 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 88 pitches (L) against the Rays was difficult to watch. Even with your four-seamer sitting 94+ mph (and not allowing a hit!), the Rays jumped on your secondaries with ease after fouling off nearly 40% of your four-seamers. It’s a depressing feeling when you can’t get batters out with your fastballs, forcing you to throw secondaries you know they are going to hit. In fact, Rogers earned 1/33 whiffs on changeups, cutters, and sweepers. That’s brutal. Sure is. Sure is.
What happens now? I hate this. I’m the guy who puts so many elements into a massive cauldron before making an assessment, and while results are part of it, what matters more is the whole state of the arsenal. The variety, the approach, the stuff, command, team context, what’s working, what’s new, all of it. If I didn’t know he had a 6.87 ERA and 1.66 WHIP for the year, I’d actually be into this. That’s what makes it so hard. HOW COULD YOU?! Because I’m blind to the results in this hypothetical, yeeeesh. The rational choice is clear – you stay far away until the results change massively – but those who turn their back fully on Rogers for the rest of the season may regret it later. It doesn’t fully add up and I’m curious what comes next. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Michael King (SDP) vs LAD (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 100 pitches.
Mmmmmmm this is the fun stuff. That changeup was alive and well against LHB and he also returned some lovely strikeouts with a front hip sinker, a pair of backdoor sweepers, a dotted four-seamer down-and-away to both LHB and RHB, and even on a day where his breakers didn’t perform well against RHB, he obliterated one of the best offenses in the bigs. He’s back, y’all. Truly a King Cole today. (View Game Card)
Max Meyer (MIA) vs ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.
Against Hotlanta, y’all. HOT. LANTA. His four-seamer has the stuff, confidently finds the zone, and prevents hits (5/5 outs in play!), creating the foundation he’s always needed for his elite breakers. It’s all there, even changeups playing around against LHB. Now he gets two against the Mets and finally this MM melts in your mouth, not in your hand. (View Game Card)
Bryan Woo (SEA) vs CHW (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
Aces gonna ace with a co-share of the Gallows Pole. You know, if we move past the two starts where he allowed 6 HR, Woo has a 1.80 ERA with a 0.84 WHIP in eight starts and 50 IP. JUST SAYING. (View Game Card)
Walbert Ureña (LAA) vs ATH (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
I gotta say, I kinda love watching Ureña throw 45% changeups when he has 97+ mph in his back pocket. The real surprise wasn’t the slowball, though. It was a highly productive sweeper to RHB for a 25% SwStr rate and 67% strikes. That’s a gamechanger for Ureña if he can hold that and with TEX, @TBR, and Rockie Road up next, I’d consider a pick-up. He’s figuring out how to use his sinker and four-seamer appropriately, with the changeup feel clearly not going away. (View Game Card)
Kendry Rojas (MIN) vs HOU (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 46 pitches.
It seems as though the Twins are trying to stretch out Rojas to take SWR’s spot, but don’t be fooled by his four frames – he’s still a ways to go with just 46 pitches to his name. There’s some intrigue here as a 96 mph southpaw, though I wonder if he lacks the arsenal to make this work as a proper starter. His 89 mph slider is more like a cutter at 6-7″ of vert, and the 88/89 mph changeup feel is still a work in progress. There isn’t another breaking ball in the mix to create a wider movement band across the mix, and I really wish there was one to amplify the rest of his arsenal. That said, he his four-seamer’s 17″ of vert seems good for his arm angle and he commanded it incredibly well to RHB, with decent enough slider precision. I’ll keep an eye on this. (View Game Card)
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs HOU (L) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 18 pitches.
He’s been reduced to the piggy-back for Rojas now…or maybe just a reliever. Let’s be honest, it’s about time. We’re finally out of the woods. (View Game Card)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) @ SDP (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 107 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. The Inquisitor has slightly embraced the high-heater lifestyle and I’m so here for it. This was also his first game since April 14th where he’s allowed fewer than 3 ER, FWIW. Good to have you back. (View Game Card)
Sonny Gray (BOS) @ KCR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 80 pitches.
Boy do I like a good Sonny day. It hasn’t been the prettiest season (it’s an 18% strikeout rate after this start), but those who have started without fear have received a 2.93 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. We keep it going. (View Game Card)
Jake Irvin (WSN) vs NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 74 pitches.
Wow, Irvin was sitting nearly two ticks up on everything in this game, featuring a 94/95 mph heater to go with his 7.1 feet of extension. He also carried a 71% strike rate curveball. Huh. Welp, it’s HotLanta next. Hope it sticks. (View Game Card)
J.T. Ginn (ATH) @ LAA (L) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 105 pitches.
Duuuuude. I know Samulski and I were interested in Ginn for the two-step, but ten strikeouts?! Dang man. Maybe the Angels’ offense isn’t so hot, but that backdoor sinker to Soler in the seventh was gorrrrrgeous. He was truly feeling it here with absurd precision on the sinker to RHB, sliders down-and-away for whiffs, and a ton of percetly placed cutters for outs. This is prime Ginn. It’s SO FUN. I’m rolling him out there against the Padres and banking on this rhythm. SAMULSKI WAS RIGHT. (View Game Card)
Slade Cecconi (CLE) @ DET (W) – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.
Oh snap, a Gold Star?! Hand delivered by…wait. I recognize you. NO I’M NOT GOING BACK TO THE MEETINGS. This had all the makings of a Birthday Party aided by Koufax and a super passive Detroit lineup that allowed a 35% called strike rate on 34 four-seamers. Some of those cutters down-and-away to RHB were pretty fun, though. He deserves that. I wouldn’t chase him for a start against the Phillies on Saturday. (View Game Card)
Andrew Painter (PHI) vs CIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 69 pitches.
Ayyyyy, he came through! It’s his first six inning start of the year and his sixth of nine games with four or fewer strikeouts. The increased slider and sweeper usage to RHB we saw last game stuck around (60% between them) and Painter’s best skill was jamming his four-seamer on the inner edge to LHB all game. That’s a huge one as he’ll get the Guardians next time and face a whole lot of LHB and let me tell ya, the secondaries weren’t so hot against LHB here. I’m incredibly cautious of that outing…and the Dodgers after that. We’re still in the planning phase before we embrace the Painter and move to the canvas. (View Game Card)
Seth Lugo (KCR) vs BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! I’ve been vocal in spotlighting Lugo’s curveball losing velocity this season and it returned to last year’s mark. Then again, he, uh, threw it seven times. This was sinker, four-seamer, cutter day with cutters, curves, sliders, and sweepers, each getting equal opportunity with seven thrown apiece. None of them returned 5 strikes, nor more than one whiff. The Sawx elected to let all the sinkers hang out in the zone and get themselves out on cutters + rando secondaries, and it’s not the most convincing performance. He’ll host the Mariners next before heading into Arlington and while those are decent matchups, I’m not running for them. It’s pretty clear Lugo is in the “I’m trying to figure things out” phase of his career. (View Game Card)
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 81 pitches.
THERE WE GO. His velocity is still a little down, but so were his pitches as the fella lived low all game with sliders, changeups, and curveballs – exactly as he should. Seeing a 60%+ strike rate on all his offerings (especially his signature curve at 72% strikes) is a huge deal and now with Rockie Road and @TEA ahead, I’m inclined to let it fly. Phew. Please don’t make me regret this. (View Game Card)
MacKenzie Gore (TEX) @ COL (L) – 1.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 28 pitches.
Gore left this with lat tightness and I’m not sure what the Rangers would do in his place with Latz settled into a bullpen role. It’s possible he makes his next start, but let’s be honest, you were debating moving on from Gore anyway. (View Game Card)
Jose Quintana (COL) vs TEX (W) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
A near PQS in Coors? Quintana, you rascal! He’s almost under a 4.00 ERA, you know. I’m rooting for him. (View Game Card)
Nick Lodolo (CIN) @ PHI (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 97 pitches.
Man, he had it. The sixth brought a solo shot and two walks before hitting the showers and this line looks a lot better as 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Not stellar, but it was right there. That said, he’s not the old Lodolo yet. Changeups returned 38% strikes (ouch) while the curveball provided just 1/16 whiffs to LHB. The fastballs are where they need to be, it’s just the secondaries executing their roles appropriately. It’ll come. (View Game Card)
Noah Schultz (CHW) @ SEA (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
You know, there are these moments where you watch Schultz and you feel like Patrick Bateman with a sinker dotted away, great sweeper for a called strike, then a gorgeous changeup under. Then he hangs a cutter and it’s back to frustration. This was a game of unfortunate timing, without an ability to strand baserunners, and it’s more encouraging than the last few, especially with his changeup’s near 70% strike rate. I’m considering him a streamer for Oracle Park on Sunday. NOAH IS BACK ON THE MENU. My Noah? Alek?! HOW DARE YOU. (View Game Card)
Tatsuya Imai (HOU) @ MIN (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 74 pitches.
Huh. A Gallows Pole isn’t what I expected and he would likely have gone longer if not for his post-IL low pitch count. We’re back to four-seamers over sinkers, but the splitter is nowhere to be seen? Nah, it’s likely what Savant has labeled as his 88.2 mph changeup, but he threw just four of them and went super fastball/slider with an even split. Why not when said slider returned a 43% SwStr rate? That’s bonkers. Sure is. 15/35 whiffs. Truly wild. He also sat a little harder here, too, and who knows, maybe he’ll get to 85 pitches next time, keep the stupid-good low slider command, and take advantage of a game inside Arlington. Or maybe he’ll not go 83% strikes with his slider and regress back to what we’ve already seen, especially as a two-pitch pitcher. Yeah, probably that. (View Game Card)
Brandon Sproat (MIL) @ CHC (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 78 pitches.
One day…one day. I mean, it was the Cubs and it’s the Dodgers next, but you couldn’t let him pitch for one more out?! It was an 8-3 ballgame, let the kid get a dub. Fun note: Sproat hit 97.7 mph on his final pitch while sitting 96+ on the day. That’s hot. (View Game Card)
Patrick Corbin (TOR) @ NYY (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 79 pitches.
No shock here. He gave it his best y’all, and he even sat a tick up on everything. Yay Corbin. (View Game Card)
Christian Scott (NYM) @ WSN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 81 pitches.
Bleeeegh. It’s awfully frustrating rostering Scott when he hasn’t gone five frames in three starts. It’s also been Coors + DET + Nats and now it’s the Marlins twice + @TEA. I get it, you’re upset and don’t believe in him. that cutter wasn’t stellar and the sweeper couldn’t help much + he didn’t trust the splitter at all. All three ahead are easier matchups than what he’s had so far. You want this. Also, can we chat for a moment about the Mets scoring ten in the 12th inning without hitting a HR?! I couldn’t fall asleep with the circus music on full blast. (View Game Card)
Shane McClanahan (TBR) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.
Everything was cool until the fifth, where an elevated 1-2 four-seamer at 97.4 mph to Alonso was demolished for a two-run double. You know, Alonso saw all four of McShane’s pitches in that at-bat. Curve for free real estate, change spat on in the dirt, whiff on a nasty down-and-in slider, and then the fastball. Makes you wonder if that fastball was the right pitch call (Narrator: It was not). It’s the little things, y’all. (View Game Card)
Framber Valdez (DET) vs CLE (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 89 pitches.
Just a sprinkle of sliders this time around with a terrible curveball = sadness. It’s kinda wild to see me endorse Valdez in any fashion during the season he’s acting like the arm I’ve thought him to be for years – 4.58 ERA, 1.40 WHIP – but I’ve also learned my lesson that Valdez is one of the biggest Cherry Bomb arms in baseball. In fact, he has just three games above 2 ER across his ten starts. When the curveball gets locked in, he’s going to pull down those ratios. And yet, I know. This is the frustrating part that I make sure I avoid when sliding Valdez down my draft in the spring. The deal has been made, and it’s worthwhile to hold. (View Game Card)
Ryan Weathers (NYY) vs TOR (ND) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
The HR bug strikes again. A three run blast in the fourth was a dagger in our hearts, while Weathers continues to be a K-BB% darling (23%+ is elite). And the thing is, that 0-2 changeup to Clement was great. Down and under the zone, inducing the swing. Sure, maybe further away, but that gets whiffs all the time. Now the 2-1 heater down the pipe to Spring for a solo shot in the fifth? Yeaaaah, no excuse there. We keep riding, HRs happen. (View Game Card)
JR Ritchie (ATL) @ MIA (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
Hello, JR, is it me you’re looking for? I’m sorry to tell you, I can’t fix you. You’re doing the best you can with what you’ve got and like all the other blowups here, you got knocked around when the lineup turned over for a horrific inning. Now it’s the LHB-heavy Nats + Cincy and I’m not stuck on you. (View Game Card)
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs MIL (L) – 4.1 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 79 pitches.
Oh jeez, did you sell yet? No? Well, Imanaga has had games like this before and recovered quickly, while there is a silver lining that his fastball was back up for grabs to 92 mph. The terribly dark lining? His overall command. I mean dang dude, it was BAD. Splitters at 47% strikes, four-seamers up, down, this way, that way, which way, subway, neighbor-and-weigh. This wasn’t our guy and I found him after the game, head down and mumbling under his breath: I’m an AGA…I’m an AGA… (View Game Card)
Robbie Ray (SFG) @ ARI (L) – 4.1 IP, 9 ER, 11 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 84 pitches.
I gotta say, if y’all are going to get obliterated in one day – let’s say you had two or three of Rogers, Imanaga, Weathers, and Ray – be happy it’s a Monday in your H2H leagues. Now go be aggressive and start em all to grab strikeouts and Wins this week. Anyway, this was a game of Ray failing to steal whiffs with his slider or four-seamer, and floating changeups over the plate as a result. Not a good time at all and the command will be better in the future, I’m sure. So strange to see him throw more high changeups than four-seamers. (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Kyle Bradish vs. Griffin Jax – It’s a major start for both these fellas.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Photo courtesy of Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@abeardoesart on Bluesky and X)
