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 Twitch.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Eric Lauer (LAD) vs COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 96 pitches.
Sometimes, you just know a pitcher is going to have his best start of the season. It felt destined that Eric Lauer, in his starting debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, would take full advantage of Rockie Road after getting DFA’d by the Jays, and what do you know: 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 96 pitches (W). There’s no way this is real, right?
Toronto fans, I know how much it pains you to see this after Cease hit the IL with a hamstring injury. But don’t fret – even though Lauer did locate his four-seamer and curveball well in this one, I don’t think this is much more than a good ole Blame it on the Rockies.
The fella still failed to earn whiffs on his fastball (3/51!), and 13 changeups recorded 0% CSW on the night. Sure, there’s a chance at least one of @ARI, @PIT, and TBR return a decent start to further improve his now 2-5 record, but the Dodgers didn’t magically transform him into a legit arm. He’s the same Lauer, just with a perfect matchup, a great team behind him, and a bit of a chip on his shoulder. That’s all. Don’t let him put a spell on you. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Kyle Harrison (MIL) vs STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 92 pitches.
As much as I want to give him the AGA label, this wasn’t Harrison’s best heater. He didn’t quite spot it upstairs as well as we’ve seen, while the curveball landed in the zone, but it wasn’t the tempting offering under the zone as we want it to be. What about the slowball? Uh, that was 0/5 CSW. Oh. Yeaaaah. Maybe we’ll wait until Coors or Sacré Verde to warrant the label? (View Game Card)
Emerson Hancock (SEA) @ ATH (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.
This is going to sound strange, but is Hancock turning into Will Warren? He’s 67% fastballs, leaning on high heat, with a good 18″ sinker at 93/94 mph + a sweeper that doesn’t get the whiffs you want it to. Something to think about. What about the four-seamer vert? Oh, right. It’s lost even more vert. Wait, really? Like down to 8.5″? Try 7.8″ of vert. WHAT IS GOING ON?! (View Game Card)
Griffin Jax (TBR) @ BAL (L) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 38 pitches.
Jax was nailed in the back by a 107 mph liner in the second frame, toughed it out, and came out before starting the third. It’s really too bad as Jax was looking fantastic once again. Sigh. Just gotta wait to find out more. (View Game Card)
Shane Baz (BAL) vs TBR (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 99 pitches.
I elected to move on from Baz last week before his two starts against his former club and what does he do? Why, go 13 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 5 BBs, 15 Ks in two starts. Is that good? Yes, that is very good. But what is different? Not much, save for a stupid high 86% strike rate on his curveball. The cutter went 0/11 CSW, the four-seamer returned 3/37 whiffs and 59% strikes, and it really doesn’t seem like he’s going to be able to replicate a near 70% per-batter putaway rate given his 43% clip for the season. I really want to believe in you, I do, but I don’t see the heater and cutter doing what they need to for this to be a constant result. (View Game Card)
Braxton Ashcraft (PIT) vs CHC (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.
I’ll be honest with you, Golden Brax. That fastball and sinker were blegh today. You nibbled too much or threw them down the pipe, and even the slider was scaring me as I watched them glide to the top half of the zone. However, 42% of your pitches were those 92 mph sliders for 78% strikes and 38% CSW, while the curveball was a fantastic sidekick at 46% CSW, catalyzing his share of the Gallows Pole. I’ll take this all day against the Cubs, so thanks. That was a cool thing to do. Please stop scaring me, though. I take Lexipro for a reason. (View Game Card)
Cade Cavalli (WSN) @ CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 87 pitches.
Phew. I was a little worried about this one against the Guardians’ exclusive LHB lineup, and I think we’re fortunate Cleveland was so passive against his four-seamer for a 35% called strike rate. The real hero was the 86/87 mph curveball that is still very much elite (better than Benjamin Brown’s, that’s for sure) and with Miami up next, I’d hold on for another chance at a King Cole. You may have noticed that the velo doesn’t look quite right. Sharp eye – Cavalli normally sits 85 mph on his signature hook. Today’s version was the best of the year. (View Game Card)
Cam Schlittler (NYY) @ KCR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 77 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Sorry Cam, I had to push you down to SP #4. I mean, six whiffs?! When you’re at the top, you can’t just coast for 77 pitches through six if you’re not pulling a Hercules and going the distance. Don’t worry, Nick. I will find my way. If you can be strong, yeah yeah yeah. You obviously need to do a few more pushups, then. On the real, it was a blowout and Boone made the smart decision of cleaning up the final three innings via the Fratty Pirate and not push our young stud. (View Game Card)
Spencer Miles (TOR) vs MIA (W) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 66 pitches.
You took a chance and grabbed Miles for the shot at a cheap Win. You got it. Congrats, big brain fantasy manager. Don’t push it. (View Game Card)
Joe Ryan (MIN) @ CHW (ND) – 7.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a co-share of the Gallows Pole. He sat 95 mph in this one and it was awesome. I’ve never seen Ryan feature 91% sweeper strikes for 43% CSW in 23 thrown + 42% CSW on 24 curveballs, let alone feature that fastball velocity. He was a man possessed. (View Game Card)
Sean Burke (CHW) vs MIN (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 100 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! That’s a Gold Star for Burke, who I removed from The List today after three straight outings under five frames. All eight strikeouts came against LHB, mostly on high heaters or low curveballs, while everything else was a mishmash of sinkers, cutters, and sliders doing whatever they could. I’m happy for the fella, but this didn’t look a turner had been corned. A what now. Uhhh, a corner had been turned. WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT ME?! Trea, please, no one would suggest you’ve been shucked on purpos–I’M WATCHING YOU POLLACK. Do you really have to do the finger-eyes-pointing thing? ….. You can stop now. (View Game Card)
Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) @ SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
Atta boy Erod, I’ll ignore the WHIP to celebrate the cheap Win, buzzing on my kazoo as I usher you back to the wire and shut the door. Gotta be careful with the Dodgers around the corner. (View Game Card)
Aaron Nola (PHI) @ SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 80 pitches.
This was Nola’s third start of the year under 3 ER. In eleven games. He did a much better job going east-west with his sinker + keeping his four-seamer elevated, and he added extra movement on both heaters, while pumping them both up a tick. It’s good to see angry Nola back in action. Now do it again. (View Game Card)
Chase Burns (CIN) @ NYM (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. That’s a 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 29% strikeout rate across 64 frames in 11 starts. What. A. Stud. And to think, he succeeded here with 1/58 four-seamers whiffs, 1/7 changeups for strikes, and a 44% slider strike rate. Wait, seriously?! The man bore down and got it done. (View Game Card)
Tyler Mahle (SFG) vs ARI (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 81 pitches.
Wow, Mahle popped threes like he was heading to the finals to face the Knicks. I’m happy he’s back over 92 mph, but 1/49 four-seamer whiffs should be enough to keep you away. (View Game Card)
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ BOS (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 87 pitches.
Ehhhh, this wasn’t the confidence boost of a start we wanted it to be. His heater is down to 95 mph and returned just 3/39 whiffs, while the changeup was floating like it was walking home after its first kiss. His slider is down to just 83/84 mph and the Sawx are one of the worst teams against RHB in the majors. Are you scared for his start in Cincy on Sunday? I sure am. (View Game Card)
Jack Leiter (TEX) vs HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 95 pitches.
This was solid save for a three-run blast off the bat of Yordan. So he got unlucky. Uhhh, it was an 0-1 slider middle-middle. It was such a Hanger, you could call it a steakball. Oh, Leiter also hit a batter to allow his fourth run. Oh jeez. He’s not the reliable arm you want. (View Game Card)
Randy Vásquez (SDP) vs PHI (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 99 pitches.
Bleeeegh. That’s seven strikeouts across four of his last five starts combined. Seven. Montero matched that tonight, and Vásquez has reached that mark just twice all season. Hey, am I catching strays over here? Sorry Montero, I’ll get to you in a second. Randy has been demoted to a weekly streamer in my book, and I don’t feel the need to hold on here as the four-seamer and cutter are simply not missing the bats they once were. (View Game Card)
Keider Montero (DET) vs LAA (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.
Okay, sorry about that Keider. I’m happy you were able to get some punchouts in this one, but you know I don’t trust that with your 18% strikeout rate on the year (that includes this one) and the 20 point increase in per-batter putaway rate that is sure to fall. Yeah…I know. (View Game Card)
Gage Jump (ATH) vs SEA (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
And here I was, planning to give y’all a “Might As Well JUMP!” for a roundup title, but my Van Halen dreams were dashed. That isn’t to say I don’t see the upside – his slider and sweeper were whiff machines, and the kid was pumping 96 mph with good vert and a 1.6 HAVAA – I was also witness to the erratic command that makes me worry about pitching half his games in Sacré Verde. He’ll head to Wrigley next and I’m not going to rule out a spec add in your deeper formats – the 85-87 mph breakers are legit and that fastball can mess guys up when he locates it properly – but I saw an addiction I didn’t need in my life in front of my eyes when I watched him. It’s so alluring and yet I know the flannel he wears inside the clubhouse. What a HIPSTER. (View Game Card)
Joey Cantillo (CLE) vs WSN (L) – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 69 pitches.
Some days, you just don’t have it. We get Cantillo, today, not Willillo. Jay dubs, please come back. (View Game Card)
Ranger Suarez (BOS) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 91 pitches.
I was scared for this week for Ranger, Hotlanta or not, due to his last outing coming with highly questionable command. However, this was much better, despite what the line will tell you. The results weren’t great (again, Hotlanta), but I’m feeling a lot better about his start against Cleveland over the weekend. Changeups/sinkers nailing the corner, opposite the four-seamer/cutter up-and-in to RHB. It was exactly what I was looking for. (View Game Card)
Michael McGreevy (STL) @ MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
That’s 8 ER in his last two games, the same total he accrued across his previous six. I’m not seeing a guy you want to lean into right now, even if the damage came via four straight baserunners to lead off the fifth before getting the hook (and yes, all four scored). It’s just too blegh. (View Game Card)
Jack Kochanowicz (LAA) @ DET (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 66 pitches.
I’m still waiting for Jackie K. to find the command he used to have. The guy we saw here – 36% changeups for 80% strikes and 7/24 whiffs?! – is not the man we’re looking for. Super strange to see him lean so heavily on the pitch all of a sudden, but then again, the four-seamer was 39% strikes, so I guess he didn’t have much of a choice. (View Game Card)
David Peterson (NYM) vs CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 11 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.
He was great last time out, but the Reds Carpet has rolled up and been put into storage, leaving Peterson in the dust, bewildered at his misfortune. Okay that’s not quite honest – Peterson lived way too much inside the zone here and was punished for it the same way we’ve seen him get punished all year. He’s not your guy. You know this. (View Game Card)
Bailey Falter (KCR) vs NYY (L) – 2.1 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 45 pitches.
Yeaaaaaaah. Let’s move on. (View Game Card)
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ TOR (L) – 5.2 IP, 8 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 95 pitches.
Wow, four starters with at least 8 ER tonight, and Sandy’s box score is the most deceptive. Why? Well, he only had 2 ER to his name through five. Yeah, but six hits total, a solo shot, and two HBP in the fifth. Two! Okay, totally fair. He was also throwing heaters down the pipe and didn’t overpower arms like he used to. Sigh. Maybe in the second half? (View Game Card)
Jordan Wicks (CHC) @ PIT (L) – 4.1 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 80 pitches.
Welcome back, kiddo. It was a horrible first frame for a bamboolzin’ of five runs, but I’ll be honest – he went up with heaters, down with changeups, and returned strikes and whiffs with sliders. But he was super hittable. And not hittable…? A co-share of the Gallows Pole does tell you something about Wicks and it’s not out of the question that he gives you something decent against the Cardinals on Sunday. (View Game Card)
Kyle Freeland (COL) @ LAD (L) – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.
You don’t need me to tell you he was down more than a tick on everything. (View Game Card)
Jason Alexander (HOU) @ TEX (L) – 6.0 IP, 9 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 100 pitches.
Sometimes you watch a game and wonder how a man can go through this. Alexander allowed eight runs in the first inning. EIGHT. Then he retired fifteen of the next sixteen batters he faced, save for a solo shot because sure, why not. Anyway, you know not to roll with him now, of course, but hey! At least they aren’t scared about third through the lineup now, right? Ha, ha…ha. (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Connor Prielipp vs. Davis Martin – Both arms are ready to prove their last outing was a fluke.
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)
