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 Twitch.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Logan Henderson (MIL) @ WSN (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches.
We’ve had so many arms come up and demand our attention, what’s one more? Logan Henderson was a popular sleeper pick this off-season when we didn’t know the status of the Milwaukee rotation, and despite falling off our radars after an injury and a month of the season in the minors, he was favored for a very good reason: He has a fantastic four-seamer. The changeup is a great complementary offering, though he lacked a strong #3 pitch, leaning on a decent worse-than-gyro slider last year.
Henderson made his return to the majors on Sunday and he gave us a new look across six fantastic innings: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches (L). Gone is the old slider (well, it’s kinda still there as an 87 mph cutter, but much more vert, save for three really cool ones…), enter the incorrectly labeled sweeper at 80-83 mph with close to 17″ of sweep and 3″ of depth, and guess what? He got three strikeouts across eight thrown. Oh dang. Yup. For a pitcher who only hung out in the top right corner of the pitch movement plot last year, Henderson suddenly has a whiff pitch with drastically different movement than everything else. And that’s really cool.
The four-seamer is still at 93 mph, but its incredible 17″ of vert at his low arm angle that creates 1.7 HAVAA is elite. He keeps it upstairs, allowing him to put his changeup wherever he wants to underneath it to LHB. The cutter…exists and I hope he can find consistency to turn it into a 8″/-7″ movement pitch, not the 15″/1″ pitch it was often. Wait, is that vert and cut? Yeah. That’s so much variance. I. KNOW. He did something wild with three of them at the same 86/87 mph velocity and that makes it so much better if he can harness it.
This skill set is fantastic. Stretched out to 76 pitches here, Henderson is assuredly climbing over 80 pitches next time out as long as his performance doesn’t hinder his longevity, and with Woodruff out indefinitely + questionable starters currently in the Brewers’ rotation, he could stick around for a long time. Grab him. Now.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Braxton Ashcraft (PIT) vs CIN (ND) – 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 82 pitches.
I know it was the Reds Carpet, but I really love seeing Ashcraft dominating. I’m glad we can move past the previous outing to a place where he threw 44% curveballs at 85 mph and 39% CSW. This is the Ashcraft I’ve wanted for so long. It’s still a bit of a meh four-seamer and sinker, but that curve makes the difference. Eno, you nailed it.
Chase Burns (CIN) @ PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Let’s be real, he deserves it. Enjoy the Gallows Pole.
Justin Wrobleski (LAD) @ STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 83 pitches.
Ha. HA. Hahahahahaha. He’s averaging five whiffs per game. His fastball has dropped even further to 93.2 mph. The curve isn’t helping at 44% strikes. Yes, he’s locating the four-seamer and slider well, but come on y’all. It’s more hard contact than weak contact. Not. One. Strikeout. HAISTBMBWT?! He can’t keep getting away with it.
Tyler Mahle (SFG) @ TBR (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.
Ahhhhh. There we go. Pitching in the Trop = nearly 20″ of vert and it was stupid. He kept the pitch elevated + splitters, cutters, and sliders were well executed (okay, too many spiked sliders), and that’s your ballgame. I’m riding this against the Pirates, even if the vert will come back down to 18″.
Ranger Suarez (BOS) vs HOU (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 70 pitches.
He was looking just fine before a hamstring twinge made him leave the game early. He’s expected to make his next start against the Rays, and we’re going for it there.
Brant Hurter (DET) vs TEX (W) – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 38 pitches.
It was bullpen chaos for the Tigers and like the ole days of 2024, it worked. Congrats Hurter, I’ve missed those days of your sinker returning absurd 6.00 PLV values.
Cody Bolton (HOU) @ BOS (ND) – 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 61 pitches.
This was a bullpen game for the Astros. Let’s move on.
Joe Ryan (MIN) vs TOR (ND) – 0.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 9 pitches.
He left this one with elbow soreness. Uh oh. Yeah, that’s not good at all. Expect an IL stint here as all of the What happens what Abel returns?!?! Those conversations have faded into the empty wind. Or something like that.
Kris Bubic (KCR) @ SEA (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 94 pitches.
Yessss. That’s the fella we want to see. Just over 92 mph, and four-seamers + sweepers filling up the zone without an issue. Wait, there was an issue. True, the change returned only 47% strikes (yikes), but it did strikeout a pair and return 27% SwStr, so at least it still had value across the outing, just not consistently. We’re riding with this one.
Clay Holmes (NYM) @ LAA (W) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 99 pitches.
The Angels saw more of the sinkerballer and couldn’t adjust to his 54% lean into the signature pitch. We saw a whole lot more curves in this one too, and I’m digging the 81/82 mph pitch to RHB (more to RHB than sweepers!). It could mean strikeouts are back in play for The Adobe. Now that would be cool. I have to mention one thing. It’s shocking to see three walks in a game where he went 72% strikes, though two of them were the very first batters of the game. Think of this as 6.2 IP of one walk, once he got warmed up properly.
Steven Matz (TBR) vs SFG (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.
Is it boring? Oh, absolutely. HAISTBMBWT?! And yet, he’s still productive. It may be time to jump ship with Fenway + Jays next, but then again, a 3% Putaway rate is hilariously bad and surely rising in his next one. Maybe Vargas Rule it?
Aaron Civale (ATH) vs CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.
It’s boring, but a dub is a dub in Sacré Verde and his ERA is now 2.88 with a 1.34 WHIP. Uh huh. Hey, he went BSB really well with all hard stuff up (including the cutter) and curves + splitters down. He’s a 15-teamer coin-flip…?
Griffin Canning (SDP) vs CHW (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 73 pitches.
Oh wow. I had zero expectations for Canning in this one, not just because it was a Still ILL, but because I wasn’t completely sold that he was breaking out for the Mets last year. And what’s even more shocking is earning a King Cole on a night with a terrible 56% strike rate. Why do we have to make contact, let alone swing? Go away, CrySox, I’m talking to the Griffin over here. Wait, we played the Nationals yesterday?! Noooo, the real Griffin. Huh. I wonder who will provide more fantasy value this year…Anyway, Canning’s four-seamer was far better than it used to be, featuring 17″ vert with decent ride, and merged with his stellar kick change, there’s hope he can stick. The wonky command could be the product of his Still ILL, and why not. Let’s give it a shot against the Cardinals and see what happens across 80-85 pitches.
Trey Yesavage (TOR) @ MIN (L) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 82 pitches.
You know, this kinda seems right. The splitter is still failing to land low and the four-seamer shouldn’t be forced to do all the work, while the OG reverse slider feel isn’t there yet. He’s also a tick down from last season (three on the splitter?!) and if it doesn’t go well against the Angels, I’m not totally convinced he’ll be worthwhile against the Tigers, and definitely not the Yankees after.
Zack Littell (WSH) vs MIL (W) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 41 pitches.
He was opened for, threw 41 pitches, and left with a dub. Wait, I could have been doing this the whole time?! Yup. So, I totally got this, right? Uhhhh. Right?! Hello?
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) @ MIA (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 102 pitches.
Oh we are so back. But the WHIP! Yeah, fine, he’ll have an elevated Hit/9 that pushes his WHIP to 1.17 or so. Whatever. BE HAPPY DANGIT.
Jack Kochanowicz (LAA) vs NYM (L) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 110 pitches.
If not for a two-run Vientos HR, Jackie K would have been blemish-free. It’s still a great sinker, but the slider? Needs a whole lot of work, yeeesh. He cannot command that thing. The sinker to an extent, too, but 38% strikes on 37 sliders? All over the place? I can’t do it.
Matthew Boyd (CHC) vs ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.
For all y’all who moved on from Boyd, I hope you can still get him back. He didn’t even have a good putaway rate and still fanned five. The changeup was HOT with 7/35 whiffs and 71% strikes. He’s settling in.
Anthony Kay (CHW) @ SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 86 pitches.
Ayyyy a Dusty Donut from Tony! Yeah, this is okay. 0 K? He had 5 K! Oh no. I won’t keep this bit, I slightly promise. He’s still 50% strikes with sweepers and four-seamers, you know, two of his main pitches, and I’m still out.
Dustin May (STL) vs LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.
Atta boy May! We’ll take a VPQS against the Dodgers from you all day. But I’m not in a QS league. Okay, don’t take this then. Noted. He’s doing well with the cutter, heater, and sweeper to LHB, but can’t quite get the changeup working, nor the approach to RHB. So maybe don’t go for this until the schedule eases up. But nice job, fella.
Max Fried (NYY) vs BAL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 107 pitches.
Aces gonna fail to get two more outs to get a QS and his fifth dub of the year. I blame it on the changeup missing up-and-armside all game, or maybe the poor fortune of a great cutter up-and-in scoring two in the fourth. Regardless, we press forward.
Trey Gibson (BAL) @ NYY (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches.
We got our first look at Gibson and the four-seamer was a little better than expected initially at 95/96 mph, 7.1 feet of extension, and a generally flat approach angle, but he didn’t spot it well and it settled down to 15″ of vert that doesn’t inspire confidence. When your focus is flat attack, location up is paramount and a 47% strike rate on the heater (41% on the sinker…) ain’t gonna do it. That said, he has a cool 91 mph cutter, a strong 87/88 mph slider, and a legit 84 mph curve. The dude is a spinner and if he can learn the ways of the Guardians, he’ll be a decent, if not solid, arm. That fastball command is oh-so necessary to help him get to the secondaries and avoid damage in play. It looks to have been a spot start and even if it wasn’t, I’m not totally down. Then again, it was the Yankees with a PILOT Rule… but no. He’s unlikely to stick. It would be in Camden hosting the Athletics next weekend if he were, and despite the possibility of a strikeout frenzy if the breakers were on point and the fastballs weren’t touched, I wouldn’t chase it.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ COL (ND) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 87 pitches.
Hey fella. So, many are hyped about you and I went into this with an open mind. Here’s what I’ve got: Velocity is not back (94.6 mph average, topped at 97), the extension is a little down, and the movement…might be back(ish)? It’s really hard to tell in Coors, but seeing a 1/2″ vert drop is less than you’d normally see, which could suggest the days of 18″ vert four-seamers and a good HAVAA could be here. Now, there’s also the addition of a curveball in the mix that returned a fair number of whiffs, but it’s at 79 mph (meh) and returned just 44% strikes. Nope. Not it. Now he’ll get the Dodgers, which is kinda hilarious for an NL East arm (Coors + LAD, WELCOME BACK FELLA), and at least we’ll have a better idea of his skillset there. With the Sawx + Marlins after, I’m still okay holding, I just want to temper your expectations.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs KCR (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 101 pitches.
Not even at home? Not even at home. Move. On.
Parker Messick (CLE) @ ATH (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 78 pitches.
Awwww. He almost survived Sacré Verde, but three solo shots messed him up. So it goes, he’s still dope and I’d be so down to buy low if someone thinks this is the beginning of a slide.
Jack Leiter (TEX) @ DET (L) – 6.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 100 pitches.
That’s a line of a HIPSTER, alright. He also had a PQS through six (and perfect through four!), before a rough seventh that he couldn’t escape (Careful, Icarus). But yes, the whiffs are really cool and it’s so lovely when it comes together. I wish it were more harmonious.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ CHC (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
Blegh. It’s the Cubs, but Kelly hasn’t displayed the ability to cruise through a start yet. I’m okay for a stream against the Mets up next given his fantastic changeup and slider feel, but don’t feel like you need to with Coors up next.
Kyle Freeland (COL) vs ATL (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 98 pitches.
Freeland. Against Atlanta. In Coors. Got it. You got it…now?!
Chris Paddack (MIA) vs PHI (L) – 2.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 8% CSW, 73 pitches.
Sure, I wasn’t expecting much of anything, but remember when Paddack was 94/95 mph? Yeah, he’s now down all the way to 91.3 mph. He threw multiple pitches under 90 mph. Poor fella.
Game of the Day
Payton Tolle vs. Tarik Skubal – DUUUUUUUUUDE.
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)
