Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday 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.
Will Warren (NYY) vs TEX (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 101 pitches.
After last week’s performance in Seattle, I wasn’t quite ready to jump on the Will Warren train. The stuff has been obvious, but his feel for the zone and inability to wield his legit movement had me wondering when we could feel confident with each outing that he’ll produce for our squads. Now may be that time after returning 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 101 pitches (W) against the Rangers…or not.
I love Warren’s sinker and sweeper feel. I also love the fun in his four-seamer to RHB that comes with a flat attack angle and decent amount of vert that helped it return 5/32 whiffs. What I don’t like are the 6/18 strikes between changeups and curveballs. It didn’t affect the outcome here, sure, but his overall precision to LHB was far worse than what we saw against RHB. And without those two pitches working their magic, this could be a problem for future starts.
I’m still very much in. The sweeper and sinker take down RHB while there’s clear room to grow against LHB. The Yankees make for a great situation, and Warren’s wide arsenal merged with growing confidence on the bump equates to a pitcher who could be a hold for the whole year. And he just fanned nineteen across two outings. No way you can deny the man his roster spot, even if it’s Coors + Dodgers + Fenway ahead.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Bailey Falter (PIT) vs CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 79 pitches.
Yessss. This was my sneaky stream of the day as he waltzed all over the Reds Carpet and spoke to every dang reporter along the way. Falter had to deal with RHB aplenty, and he served them 19″ vert four-seamers with 7.3 feet of extension (I know, not 7.6 feet like last time. Sigh). I don’t think this will go quite as well against the Brewers up next as I’m still waiting for Falter to feature something else that actually works. No, not the splitter, he got away with that one.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs ARI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 110 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. His curveball and splitter dotted the outside edge to LHB, while he toyed with a cutter and sinker to RHB outside of the normal affair. If that curve can return a 45% CSW consistently (or at least flirt with it), then there’s no reason to fear a regression from Yamamoto.
Adrian Houser (CHW) vs SEA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.
Uhhhh, yeah, that’s a Gold Star. The White Sox added Houser today and he blasted 95 mph four-seamers (remember that from the spring?) at seven feet of extension. The sinker exploited the above-average extension for 70% strikes and a 30% CSW, and really, there isn’t much else to it than a smattering of secondaries to LHB that were all…fine. Houser is exactly what the White Sox want – a meh pitcher who can go six frames constantly. You really shouldn’t chase this in your leagues, though, and I’ll have him in Do Not Start for the Mets.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 100 pitches.
Ayyyy 80% strike curveballs! No wonder he killed it. Even the splitter got back into the action at 6/10 strikes, while he kept the ball in the yard and earned 10/13 outs on cutters and fastballs in play. These are the starts you kept Bassitt in the lineup for and I hope you were able to cash in. Guess we’re going to let Bassitt get the other Cash in Tampa Bay next, eh?
Logan Henderson (MIL) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 90 pitches.
Logan hasn’t been this good since he was an R-rated film. A Gallows Pole for Henderson is a treasure, rooted in an incredible BSB to LHB with four-seamers + cutters up & changeups down. Absolutely killer with a super flat 1.6 HAVAA + 17″ vert heater at 93/94 mph. Super strange to see Henderson feature changeups middle and along the inside corner to right-handers as if the 82 mph pitch were sinkers, but they were shockingly effective. The Brewers are going to have a “good problem” soon with too many starters coming back from the IL, but hot dang do I want Henderson to still be here. At least he gets one more for the Pirates, right? Don’t take this from us.
Brandon Walter (HOU) @ TBR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.
That’s one h*ck of an impressive MLB debut. Not because of the stuff – 91 mph sinkers with focus on cutters and sweepers + super hittable changeups to RHB – but that line is blissful. Wow, pitching in the majors is easy. Alright Walter Delight, I’m not sure you’re going to stick around for another start and if you did, I reckon it’ll be a lot worse against the Athletics.
Hayden Birdsong (SFG) vs KCR (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 80 pitches.
I was scared of this, alright? I made a whole video watching his most recent appearance where he needed 65 pitches to get through for three innings. I didn’t expect 80 bullets, nor a 63%+ strike rate on all four of his pitches. Huge props to Birdsong for making it happen, and I really hope we see more of Birdsong landing these breaking balls over the plate, even if they allowed a bit of loud contact along the way. Those sliders and curves for strikes are the only way this works as I just don’t buy into that four-seamer doing enough of the work. Are you confident enough to start him against the Tigers?
Walker Buehler (BOS) vs NYM (ND) – 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 52 pitches.
If you haven’t seen it yet, Buehler was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with an umpire who wanted to make a scene. He was throwing a little harder at 94/95 mph before then + some filthy sliders and sweepers for whiffs, but with Baltimore, Atlanta, and the Bronx on the horizon, this seems like the wrong time to chase Buehler.
Keegan Akin (BAL) @ MIL (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 18 pitches.
We eventually got to Chayce McDermott, who walked five with 3 ER in 4.2 IP. Why didn’t you give us the full stat line. Because I don’t want you even thinking about this. He’s not ready. Whoa, just two strikeouts? HE’S NOT READY.
Casey Legumina (SEA) @ CHW (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 21 pitches.
We went from one Casey to another in Casey Lawrence following for 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 68 pitches. (L) and I kinda wish Sean Casey were calling the game. This was a clear Blame it on the White Sox and you can consider this Casey Closed. Wait, seriously? Another Casey?! Oh never mind, just a bad pun. YOU’RE A BAD PUN.
Jameson Taillon (CHC) @ MIA (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.
Taillon, my man. You really didn’t have your best sweeper or four-seamer, but the curve and changeup led the way and picked up the slack. Now it’s Rockie Road and the Reds Carpet. What a life.
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 105 pitches.
It sure does feel like an AGA tag is appropriate soon, right? This was a little different with a larger focus on the gyro slider than the sweeper (likely because of how Coors affects movement) and even in Colorado, the lineup is one of the worst we’ve seen across the last decade. Destroy the Athletics next and we’ll talk.
Nick Martinez (CIN) @ PIT (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 91 pitches.
He’s a Toby who did what he was supposed to against the Pirates, even when he didn’t have his best changeup. You should be safe for the Royals up next.
Ryan Weathers (MIA) vs CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.
That heater is HOT. 81% strikes with a 32% CSW, even if Tucker threw the bat to the outside corner to send one over the fence. His changeup went 5/28 whiffs as well while the sweeper helped here and there (and got revenge on Tucker!), and I’m loving this from Weathers. Yes, I’m starting him against the Padres and I’m stoked for the Giants and Rays. Grab this man.
Ryne Nelson (ARI) @ LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 71 pitches.
Hey that’s pretty awesome. I love the four-seamer still, but I’m still desperately searching for a #2 pitch. He went nearly 70% four-seamers while the four secondaries barely touched the plate. 0/4 strikes on the changeup. 0/3 on the curve. 2/6 on the cutter. 5/9 on the slider. Seriously, that’s not gonna cut it unless Koufax has our back. Narrator: He did.
Clay Holmes (NYM) @ BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
A solid outing from The Adobe, who kept his sinker, change, sweeper, and slider down all game. I’m here for that, but 40% strikes on 32 changeups and sweepers combined are not helping the whole “Holmes needs to be more efficient” thing. We keep riding this.
Zack Littell (TBR) vs HOU (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 103 pitches.
As expected, Littell went Dancing With The Disco against the RHB-heavy lineup. What I didn’t expect was the splitter to appear for 27% usage and return a 36% CSW. I’m happy for Littell that he made it through this one, but the BSB collapsed a little too much over the middle of the plate for me to try this against the Twins.
Michael Lorenzen (KCR) @ SFG (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 97 pitches.
Welcome to the world of Lorenzen. It’s not a disaster outing, but you sit there and stare, trying to grasp how something that looks okay can be so bad. He’s a hittable pitcher and at least he earned 13 whiffs this time around. I know, that means nothing ultimately, but at least that’s something. And hey! Good pitch separation to RHB with sinkers in and sliders/sweepers away. So add him? What? No, don’t do that. But it’s the Reds Carpet next! Oh. Well then yes, you can do that. My b.
Dylan Cease (SDP) @ TOR (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 100 pitches.
I’m still so weirded out how densely packed Cease’s pitches are against RHB, then everything goes off on their own against LHB, with the four-seamer ending up down the pipe and telling itself this is okay. Welp, we continue starting him, of course, and let’s be happy he made it through seven frames.
Tarik Skubal (DET) @ STL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a Philly. Nothing to be alarmed about here, though he did struggle a touch with his changeup feel. That was weird.
Mitchell Parker (WSN) vs ATL (W) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.
Just 1/47 four-seamer whiffs is an atrocity, but he did get his outs and nearly made it through six for a PQS with the pitch. I also dug the slider down-and-away to LHB (it’s back!), but the splitter and curve are ehhhh. I don’t see a guy to grab in 12-teamers yet, and I’d even feel uncomfortable adding him in 15-teamers.
Patrick Corbin (TEX) @ NYY (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
Corbin made it a game against one of the best offenses around. Gotta give him some props for that, right? He gets the White Sox next! Yes he does, John. Not the worst stream you’re ever seen, but the floor is too dang risky. We can’t. WE CAN’T.
Antonio Senzatela (COL) vs PHI (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.
Senz-A does what Senz-A does. So close to that VVPQS. It’s all I want. Don’t we all.
Kyle Hendricks (LAA) @ ATH (W) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.
It’s almost like throwing 86/87 mph and relying on the much slower changeup isn’t the greatest of approaches around. Just a thought.
Erick Fedde (STL) vs DET (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 63 pitches.
It was the Tigers and not the kind of start we chase for a Toby like Fedde.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ WSN (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 75 pitches.
Ain’t nothin’ gonna break my Strider. Well, except the Nationals, apparently. Strider didn’t make these batters quake in their boots. His four-seamer at 95 mph returned just 3/41 whiffs, while the slider didn’t nullify a ton. It was…meh? Even Crews hit a 3-0 heater over the fence and multiple sliders and changeups were easily laced for hits. It just felt…Blegh. I want to call it a Still ILL as Strider could have been holding back and making sure he doesn’t head back to the IL for the third time this year, and yet I’m wary of giving it a go against the Padres next. Wait until he does it once, right?
Gunnar Hoglund (ATH) vs LAA (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 89 pitches.
This was looking kinda solid until he got bamboozled by the longball and his day was done in the blink of an eye. His changeup can be so filthy and I did like those sweepers away to RHB, but everything was a bit off and tagged. Lots of loud contact here by the Angels and I don’t feel you need to hold onto Hoglund for his start against the Phillies and beyond.
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