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 weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Graham Ashcraft (CIN) vs CWS (L) – 1.2 IP, 8 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 52 pitches.
If you’ve been following my blurbs during the SP Roundup, you’ll know today’s Graham Ashcraft start of 1.2 IP, 8 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 52 pitches against the White Sox isn’t the biggest surprise. He’s been an arm who has seemingly overperformed despite high velocity, and on a night with his command failing him in the right moments, it could go wrong.
This was exactly that – cutters in the upper half were battered and Ashcraft couldn’t buy an out. This start isn’t a death sentence for Ashcraft, more of a reminder of what his stuff still allows despite what the stuff would suggest. His command isn’t what it needs to be and no, I would not have it in a house with a mouse. I’d rather sell it and have something better for breakfast. Okay fine, maybe sell it after he faces the Marlins later this week and likely rebounds.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Cal Quantrill (CLE) vs MIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 95 pitches.
That’s the Quantrill life – he’ll fail to do anything special before showing up and going seven shutout frames with one hit as he jammed so many sinkers inside. The Angels are up next and I really don’t think it’s worth it. This is the peak, y’all.
Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) @ PIT (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 93 pitches.
The day the slider command is all over the place, just six whiffs, and a 22% CSW, Kikuchi found a way to make it work. What was the way? Probably asking the Pirates nicely to not earn any hits, I dunno. He got away with this one and now he gets Atlanta. Nope, no thank you.
Bryce Miller (SEA) vs HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
The fastball is just that good. We saw 71% of them here with 0/25 whiffs on anything else and it doesn’t matter. Imagine what Miller does when he actually develops the secondary stuff as he’ll constantly see 5+ frames for what should be a winning ballclub. Hold on tight, y’all.
Joe Musgrove (SD) vs LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.
Phew. Interesting to see just 17% sliders as he favored more four-seamers and cutters, but we’re all cool with this as he pitched with a blister on his foot against the solid Dodgers offense. Can I wait one more before handing him the AGA tag? Like 90 pitches with more than a strikeout per inning? That would be cool.
Javy Guerra (TB) vs NYY (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 18 pitches.
More shenanigans from the Rays with Josh Fleming following for 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks across 80 pitches. And none rejoiced.
Hayden Wesneski (CHC) vs MIA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
The sweeper earned 36% CSW as the four-seamer and sinker actually helped a bit. I’m still not too thrilled about this – just 3/25 breaker whiffs – and it’s not the time to rush to the wire for Wesneski in my view. It was more of a Blame it on the Marlins than the beginning of the ascension.
Taijuan Walker (PHI) vs BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.
Well hot dang, look at you! Walker got trounced last time and elected to do something craaazy with 54% splitters here for…24% CSW. But a whole lot of strikes and it worked. Y’all know I don’t trust it + Coors next = absolutely not. Yes, that equation looks like one my four-year-old nephew would make. Apples + Elephants = a crayon without a label. He might be on to something.
Ryan Yarbrough (KC) vs OAK (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 66 pitches.
This is the best you could possibly have hoped for from The Fratty Pirate and it was two strikeouts against the Athletics. I think that says everything you need to know. Suitman whispers in my ear 106 mph?! TO THE FACE?! Jeez, I hope he’s okay. Poor guy.
Bryce Elder (ATL) vs BAL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 96 pitches.
I didn’t love this start and it’s a Dusty Donut I think we’re willing to woof down. You definitely don’t need to hold with the Rangers + Dodgers next.
Steven Matz (STL) vs DET (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 84 pitches.
HE DID IT. I love the fact we could circle this start as the start where Matz would actually be productive for your teams and yet, I’m not enthused at all moving forward. WE WANT LIBERATORE.
Tyler Wells (BAL) @ ATL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 96 pitches.
Hey, that’s pretty dang solid from Tyler against a great Atlanta offense as he flirted with a little extra velocity here. Are we okay with the Pirates next? I think so…? He’s just a Toby and that seems alright.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ CHC (ND) – 8.1 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 113 pitches.
Aces gonna ace and earn a Gallows Pole. Welp, guess you’re not falling down The List after all. So glad to see you return. Some legit BSB action here with high heaters and low changeups, though the slider could be a little better still. He’s about to feast as he hosts the Reds and heads to San Francisco and I cannot wait.
Mason Miller (OAK) @ KC (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 98 pitches.
Just 22% CSW isn’t exactly what we’re hoping for, but the heater sat 98 mph and the cutter went 71% strikes. That works against the Royals and you love to see it. But he got the Loss. Because life is dumb. He gets Texas next and that’s pretty dang risky without his slider or four-seamer earning a ton of whiffs here. Play it safe in roto leagues, good luck in your H2H.
Joe Ryan (MIN) @ CLE (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 100 pitches.
And y’all wanted the AGA label last time out. His velocity was down a tick and his secondaries returned 4/36 CSW. Is that bad? It’s worse than not giving errors to outfielders who lose balls in the sun. THAT’S TERRIBLE. I think Joe Ryan is tossing a new slider instead of the sweeper now, featuring a breaker with three ticks lower velocity and nine inches more vertical break as it lost four inches of run across the plate. With a 1/12 CSW, I may consider sticking with the old one, or maybe he needs a little more time with it.
Julio Urías (LAD) @ SD (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
That’s a Dusty Donut but you should be thrilled by his heater sitting 94/95 mph, a full two ticks higher than what we’ve seen all year. Just locate it better and don’t get Singled Out next time, okay?
Ryne Nelson (ARI) vs WSH (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 90 pitches.
I’m glad to see a better outing from Nelson despite the horrid WHIP as the four-seamer jumped up to 95.6 mph (nearly two ticks!). I’m still waiting for the breakers to fall into place (no pun intended but you don’t believe me and I think we gotta talk about trust issues) as it’s the final element that will make Nelson soar. I mean, 19% CSW and just five whiffs?! Despite the heater velocity, I’m not sure it’s enough to feel great about the Giants and Athletics up next.
Adrian Houser (MIL) @ SF (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
Oh hey, it’s Houser. What else is on? Do people still ask that these days? I feel like the days of channel surfing is going the way of the save icon. What is that anyway? IT’S A FLOPPY DISK.
Brandon Bielak (HOU) @ SEA (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 13% CSW, 87 pitches.
Nothing like just 2 ER across twelve baserunners before the end of the fifth innings. Seattle, get it together. WE WANT WHITLEY. Suitman whispers in my ear. 13 ER in three games? OKAY MAYBE WE DON’T.
Alex Faedo (DET) @ STL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 72 pitches.
Hey, he’s back in the majors! With a slick slider! And nothing else! It’s the same guy we saw last year – small potential to go off in a game based on that slider, but not an arm to chase.
Tanner Houck (BOS) @ PHI (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 74 pitches.
It’s awfully close to being productive and props to Houck nailing his slider down with 73% strikes. I wish I liked the rest of his stuff a little more, even if his new cutter has a hint of being something. Just not enough for me right now.
Joey Lucchesi (NYM) vs COL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 70 pitches.
The fact that this start may not even be the end of Lucchesi’s time in the rotation is such an indictment of the current Mets rotation. Shambles. Shambles everywhere.
Michael Kopech (CWS) @ CIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 99 pitches.
Four home runs? 94 mph heaters? 3/37 breaker whiffs? Just like shows dedicated to the lives of “celebrities,” we should really stop giving Kopech any focus.
Ryan Feltner (COL) @ NYM (ND) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 6 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches.
You had to go five more outs to get a Win. Five more. After allowing just 2 ER in the previous three games combined, you allowed 4 ER to a Mets offense that failed to record more than 3 ER against Senz-A + Gomber + Erod. JUST SAYING.
Ross Stripling (SF) vs MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.
Blegh. The changeup was just an 8% CSW pitch and I had high hopes for Stripling to pull through in a defiant start. Instead of “hey look at me!” it’s “hey, what are you looking at?!” I’m sorry Ross, you’re a Frozen Banana now. Slowly closes the fridge door as the light fades
Gerrit Cole (NYY) @ TB (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 95 pitches.
Nick, does this mean we have a new #1 SP for The List tomorrow? Please. Y’all know I’ve been searching for his slider to return, but he’s still the most consistent SP in town for the full season. Whatareyagonnado.
Roansy Contreras (PIT) vs TOR (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
A King Cole for Contreras at a low 33% clip isn’t the biggest amount of praise, though I’m shocked to see the curve go 10/18 CSW. The curve? He has one? RIGHT?! He had to turn to something else instead of the slider and the four-seamer, and the curve was the best he had. I’m not seeing a lot in the approach to say “oh, this was the Jays and the Orioles will go better.” Keep staying away.
Trevor Williams (WSH) @ ARI (ND) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 86 pitches.
I never want to see a pitcher fail, though this start has the markings of “all is right in the universe.” His previous success was an illusion.
Martín Pérez (TEX) @ LAA (ND) – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 71 pitches.
Yiiiikes. I don’t think Pérez was demonstrably worse with his command here, but this happens and it’s tough being a Toby. Somedays you get mustard on the tie and you just gotta appreciate tomorrow being a new day, hopefully without wearing the same tie. We hold for the Athletics next.
José Suarez (LAA) vs TEX (L) – 2.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 74 pitches.
The Rangers are a great offense (yes, against LHB too) and even with the encouraging signs of Suarez’s changeup, it’s not enough to challenge a stream like this one. The Guardians and Twins up next make him a little more interesting deep leagues.
Game of the Day
Tony Gonsolin vs. Freddy Peralta – I have my doubts about Gonsolin and I hope they are quelled while Peralta could make a good case for an AGA label.
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)
wtf is AGA?