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.
Cade Horton (CHC) vs COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 83 pitches.
I was not a fan of Cade Horton entering this season. After displaying a four-seamer with questionable traits and an arsenal seemingly reliant on command staring at an uphill battle toward good health and playing time, I hand-waved Horton in March. I’m so glad he corrected my stance after his debut and has taken advantage of his glorious schedule, cruising against Rockie Road for 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 83 pitches (ND). If only he didn’t come out for the seventh and allow a solo shot on the first pitch…
The quick take is easy. Horton gets the Nationals next and we’re holding. I expect him to stick in the rotation in place of Ben Brown when the log jam arrives and he’ll be a Toby with a touch of upside for more. The four-seamer is more like a 95 mph cutter with excessive glove-side movement, making his time against LHB easier than most without a major secondary against them, while his sweeper to RHB does everything you want it to.
The rest of the arsenal is a work in progress. I saw a single changeup for a LHB strikeout that forced me to emit a noise, but it’s not something to expect with regularity yet. The curve can help against LHB, though its larger movement seems harder to wrangle than the sweeper. He also attempted a few sinkers to RHB, though they aren’t as vicious as others we’ve seen.
Don’t expect the world from Horton. He’ll have some fun strikeout days, but mostly reliant on an elite defense behind him to clean up the weak contact he hopes to induce with his cut-fastball and sweeper. We’re holding for a bit.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ LAA (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 105 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He’s obviously deserving of it and we expect the guy to soar each time out there, boasting one of the best strikeout rates in baseball for a winning club. In this one, he registered a Gallows Pole with his changeup returning 5/21 whiffs, while the slider and four-seamer cleaned up a RHB-heavy offense. This is lovely.
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 97 pitches.
Uhhh, Flaherty’s four-seamer did everything. Wait, isn’t that supposed to be the curve and slider? Sure is. However, he gained vert to sit nearly 17″ with a 1.7 HAVAA, creating 39% CSW and 7/51 whiffs with the pitch. Outstanding. The slider failed to get a single swing out of the zone for just a 53% strike rate and 0/19 whiffs (!) and let’s be all kinds of thankful the four-seamer confounded the Giants.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 103 pitches.
The change was a little odd here, but still returned 7/20 whiffs and the cutter + sinker worked wonders over the plate. He’s locked in and these moments are lovely.
Bowden Francis (TOR) @ TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 75 pitches.
Oh dang, that’s lovely. I guess the Rangers really are that rough, eh? The four-seamer did all the work and while the splitter had strikes, it was 68% four-seamer usage. The Rangers didn’t hit it (despite poor in-zone locations, yeeeeesh) and that’s your ball game. I’m not interested in taking that gamble regularly.
Richard Fitts (BOS) @ MIL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 44 pitches.
Oh snap! You’re back! The four-seamer found its vert again (17-18″!), the attack angle was reasonably flat, and his heater sat at 96 mph. No, it wasn’t seven feet of extension (6.7) but that’s a mighty fine fastball. The slider was cruising at 88/89 mph for 63% strikes and I’d be tempted to pick up Fitts if 1) he were stretched out, 2) He had runway in the rotation, and 3) His next starts (if he were confirmed to start) were great (they aren’t). I hope we return to this later.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) vs TOR (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 39 pitches.
Eovaldi was pulled with triceps tightness but apparently is expected to make his next start…? DON’T DO THIS TO ME.
Logan Evans (SEA) vs WSN (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.
I was wondering if I should lean heavier into this one @TEA against a poor offense and I regret that I didn’t, clearly. Thing is, he needed a ton of help from Koufax to get this done and after having a chat with a pitching coordinator for a team, I wonder if his terrible extension helps. How? He throws 85% secondaries and the further distance allows his pitches to ramp up their movement as they get closer to the plate. That seems like that can’t be better than less time to react, right? That’s still my thought process, don’t worry, but I wonder how much validity there is to that. Something to think about in time. Anyway, that’s likely it for Evans with Gilbert/Miller nearing return and even if he gets another start, it’s not a fun matchup.
Hunter Brown (HOU) vs ATH (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 88 pitches.
Y’all want me to give him AGA and part of me does too just given the results. It’s pretty obvious, right? Then before I continue, I ask: what is Brown’s best pitch? What’s his whiff secondary? This game was all about the sinker – he jammed that sucker inside incessantly to RHB and it had mixed success – a solo shot and 4/10 hits, but 74% strikes. The four-seamer was saved for strikeouts and the curve wasn’t dotted but highly effective as his putaway offering – four strikes, four whiffs, and 47% CSW across seventeen thrown. What’s so strange about this one is his overall mix. There were five changeups (1/5 strikes, nooope), and that’s it. Pretty much two fastballs and a curve. The fact that Brown’s arsenal is so fluid and strange to the point that we don’t know what to expect on a given night can be seen as both a positive and a negative, but for someone like me who is trying to understand what he’ll throw in the future to grasp how he’ll perform, it’s maddening. But whatever, just start the dude and enjoy.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 97 pitches.
That’s a Gold Star for Anderson as I was terrified the Yankee offense would demolish him. The changeup was thrown without fear over the plate (with a solo shot, to be fair) and he had a good bit of Koufax help along the way. It’s still a rough schedule, sadly, so let’s not let this one get us carried away.
Joe Ryan (MIN) @ TBR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I’m glad the kerfuffle of his player page is now fixed – he was technically a reliever after his last game following Ober in the suspended game. Ryan also sat 94/95 mph on his heater, which should get a lot of you to widen your eyes. We haven’t seen that all season and when paired with a 2.0 HAVAA that is literally the flattest angle in the majors, you should get amped. Only 6/38 whiffs because the pitch wasn’t fully elevated, which shouldn’t be the case moving forward.
Aaron Civale (MIL) vs BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 79 pitches.
That’s cool, but the breakers are still lagging far behind. And he had a ton of terrible fastballs and cutters. You’re not a fan? Noooope. I am a fan of starting guys against this rugged Sawx lineup on the road, though.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ PHI (L) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.
Hmmmm. The heater is at 95 mph and went just 4/49 whiffs. His slider returned a horrible 41% strike rate. So, he’s cooked? Nah, he was in the vicinity with everything and he was maintaining his velocity at the end, save for one offering below 94 mph. He has a fantastic schedule ahead and I think you’re going to get legit production soon. The velocity may not be coming back, though. I’d hate that so much. It wouldn’t make for an AGA arm, but still a valuable one.
Daniel Lynch IV (KCR) vs CIN (ND) – 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 42 pitches.
The Reds Carpet is cool, but you know what’s cooler? Tossing more than 42 pitches in a game.
Brady Singer (CIN) @ KCR (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 99 pitches.
Singer visited his Alma Mater and served a traditional outing with high called strikes and plenty of sliders. Thing is, Singer still struggled to get whiffs on his signature breaker (5/39 whiffs) and I’m heavily concerned for the upcoming weeks. I’m not sure I want to test him against the Brewers in GABP next time out, but I understand if you feel like you have to and want to ignore this old man yelling at a cloud.
Taj Bradley (TBR) vs MIN (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.
Ah, you’re making sure fantasy managers still see the sweet side, eh? His cutter landed just along the edges against RHB and you can’t believe that will stick. He’s not fixed – his splitter gained three inches of vert in this one. That’s not a good thing.
Corbin Burnes (ARI) vs PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 103 pitches.
We’ll take it, but could you please reduce your reliance on called strikes in the future? Just 4/43 whiffs on your secondaries is not the reality we want for Burnes against the Pirates.
Germán Márquez (COL) @ CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 84 pitches.
Whooooa Nelly! That’s a lovely outing from Márquez with 8/32 whiffs on the curve and fastballs finding enough gloves to get through six. What a lovely Birthday Party.
Tylor Megill (NYM) vs CHW (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 100 pitches.
The slider got more chases this time despite barely teasing the zone (thanks CrySox!) and his four-seamer was taken for called strikes far more than we usually see. Not an encouraging performance in my book, even if held a 71% zone rate (and 68% strike rate. Yeah, chew on that for a moment.). I’m benching him against the Dodgers.
Logan Webb (SFG) @ DET (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 104 pitches.
Aces gonna give us a classic Dusty Donut with a PQS and ten punchouts. Mad Man Webb over here, acting more like a cinematic masterpiece than a waste of your energy. He deserved better.
Andre Pallante (STL) @ BAL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 96 pitches.
So close to a VPQS. The cut-fastball was on the inner half all night to LHB at 94/95 mph and that can work, but don’t expect those strikeouts. Then all I get are questionable ratios? Yeah. Oh.
Tomoyuki Sugano (BAL) vs STL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 91 pitches.
This is the traditional floor of a Toby. The splitter wasn’t nearly as effective, but I dig the adaptation for more cutters against LHB. His sweeper/sinker approach is good enough against RHB and I’m fine with @TEA next.
Dustin May (LAD) @ CLE (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
May faced a ton of LHB and it’s no surprise he tossed sixteen cutters at 20% LHB usage. I think they’re great at 92/93 mph, while the four-seamer has room to grow in the mix. The sweeper was barely down but still worked out and the 94/95 mph sinker wasn’t delicately spotted along the edges. It was still good enough, just not I’m dope and I DEMAND SUCCESS. With the Mets, Cardinals, and Giants up next, I’m okay continuing on with May. It’s not spectacular, but it’s good enough, and there’s room for development.
Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 95 pitches.
The Dodgers made us avoid it and I’m not sure what to make of it. Seven strikeouts! A “King Cole!” Yeah yeah yeah, reliant on called strikes across the board, while his cutter, four-seamer, and sweeper combined for just one swing outside of the zone. His changeup was floated upstairs, and everything looked all over the place. I’m not excited for this.
Mitchell Parker (WSN) @ SEA (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.
The Mariners are better, making @TEA not such a lock these days, while Parker allowed a pair of home runs off terrible splitters to RHB. He’s not there and I’m not sure when he will be, if ever.
Max Meyer (MIA) @ SDP (ND) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 74 pitches.
Annnnnd we’re back to square one. “HAISTBMBWT?”! Failing to see a single whiff on his 89/90 mph slider is astonishing and if that fails, it all fails. Sigh. It’s Rockie Road next and I want to believe he can make it work there. All you need to do is throw strikes, right?
Mike Burrows (PIT) @ ARI (ND) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 78 pitches.
How convenient of a name as those who took a gamble on Burrows for whatever reason are now finding their heads in the sand. He’s not the rookie to chase.
Jonathan Cannon (CHW) @ NYM (L) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
Cannon was healthy enough to pitch, but was he really? The fuse was clearly too warped to light. Put away that 1812 vinyl for another time.
Stephen Kolek (SDP) vs MIA (W) – 5.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 93 pitches.
Womp womp. Kolek throws strikes but needs Koufax to help him get to the finish line. There’s a chance he has the blessing against the Giants and Brewers up next, that’s on you to decide. I’m certainly not.
JP Sears (ATH) @ HOU (L) – 3.1 IP, 9 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 94 pitches.
Many were shocked that I removed Sears from The List over a week ago. Since then, he’s had his three worst outings of his season, including this day of destruction with donut command – down the pipe or well out of the zone. Yep. YOU DID THIS TO HIM.
Game of the Day
Pablo López vs. Drew Rasmussen – Y’all know this is a fun one.
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)
