Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: Tanner, Bibee a River

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Wednesday 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.

Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs DET (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 82 pitches.

What are we doing with Tanner Bibee? He’s had a rough season with a 4.46 ERA and 1.38 WHIP and now he’s dug himself a larger hole after failing to come through against the Tigers (The Tigers!) via 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 82 pitches. Sure, he was Singled Out for all four runs in a tumultuous fourth frame, but there’s more to this.

The fella doesn’t command his arsenal well and it’s been a problem for a while. It’s rare to see a start from Bibee with a BSB, including this game where the Tigers jumped on pitches comfortably over the plate in the laborious inning. Last season, Bibee was able to get away with his slider and changeup around the zone and not feature the precision we normally expect from pitchers with his season marks. Now in 2024, his inconsistency is starting to cause problems.

That said, the slider was generally well spotted (and with less movement at a harder velocity…?) and he was making due before that poor frame. I don’t believe Bibee is waiver-wire fodder and destined to carry an ERA + WHIP well north of average marks, though he may simply be a premium Cherry Bomb instead of the rock you wanted on draft day.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Dylan Cease (SDP) @ CHC (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 113 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! Cease gave us his peak self with a Golden Goal, boasting incredible four-seamers along the edge of the zone and a ton of competitive sliders both for strikes and thrown down low for plenty of whiffs. This is the version you want from Cease, as he even got a quick out from an 0-0 cutter. Amazing. Rockie Road next week could be another field day.

Chris Sale (ATL) vs BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 103 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. We’re seeing some BSB action with high four-seamers + the classic Sale slider + LEGIT CHANGEUPS. I’ve waited so long for the latter. Please stick around…

Gavin Stone (LAD) vs MIA (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 89 pitches.

Blame it on the Marlins. To be fair, his changeup was well spotted and churned outs, though I’m still waiting for another pitch to truly show up and make me feel comfortable with Stone against normal matchups. But FINE, he gets the Giants next so I guess we keep rolling this Stone and hope he gathers more moss.

Chris Flexen (CHW) @ TBR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.

Wow, there’s your Gold Star for the night as he was FLEXEN AT THE BEACH. Everything was arm-side, but the four-seamer was nearly two ticks up and paired super well with the cutter. That’s three straight productive starts now for Flexen and with the Nats up next, maybe there’s something there. Just maybe…Nah, probably not. But if I squint harder…Then my eyes will hurt.

Reese Olson (DET) @ CLE (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.

The dude is feeling it with his slider and changeup and that’s wonderful. He’s not this good to be dominating every five days, but he’s certainly pitching well enough to give himself a chance for great ratios. And with the Florida Fish on the menu, expect more slicing and dicing.

Brady Singer (KCR) vs MIL (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.

Watching Singer vs. Ross felt like SpidermanPointing.jpg and I guess we should be happy Singer was able to skirt by with just four whiffs on the board. With the Mariners and Athletics up next, there’s no reason to stop spinning this wheel.

Chris Paddack (MIN) vs SEA (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 99 pitches.

I’m sorry what. Paddack had a terrible WHIP, sure, but 10 strikeouts?! His four-seamer was stupid at 11/42 whiffs, while his slider and changeup were fantastic on opposite sides of the plate. I’m awfully hesitant to believe in his newfound four-seamer SwStr rate, but I have to give him props for solid control of his arsenal. Sadly, this was the Mariners and the Yankees are next and I think there’s too large of a gap between those two offenses to lean into Paddack’s performance sticking.

Kyle Bradish (BAL) @ WSN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.

Dope slider? Check. 20%+ curves? Check. Few four-seamers in play? None, check. WE’VE MISSED YOU BRADISH.

Jordan Montgomery (ARI) @ CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.

That WHIP with just two strikeouts ain’t fun, but let’s applaud The Bear for going seven with a Win. His “deathball” curve + sinkers earned all the outs while his changeup was…pretty bad. We’re talking 12/26 strikes bad. Don’t expect the world from Monty and you’ll be fine.

Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ PHI (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 102 pitches.

Ayyyy, we’re all good. 17 whiffs sure are a surprise, but the line? That’s the good stuff we expect from Bassitt. Keep riding this, I know it’s been tough but don’t pull a Skrillex by dropping the Bass. Put it on the wall and stare at it like you’re gonna actually learn how to play it at the ripe age of 52.

Carlos Rodón (NYY) vs HOU (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 100 pitches.

He was left in an inning too long (Careful, Icarus), but before the extra run was tacked on, Rodón was killing it. 95 mph heaters (93 on the Tucker solo shot. Blegh) with legit sliders down-and-gloveside. He’s starting to believe. You say that all the time. A lot of pitchers are believing right now, I have nothing to do with that. FINE. Keep rolling with Rodón and I hope he keeps the velocity and slider whiffs inflated.

Mitchell Parker (WSN) vs BAL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 77 pitches.

The dude keeps changing who he is and I respect him for it. After showing just a few sliders last time, we now have 16% of them for 42% CSW. Now he gets the White Sox and I’d give that whirl. Who knows, maybe he’ll suddenly be sub 30% four-seamers? Stay tuned. I’ll grab the Flavacol-immersed popcorn.

Aaron Civale (TBR) vs CHW (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 82 pitches.

Oh my, this was some horrific command from Civale. Really speaks to the (lack of) quality on the CrySox squad to not make this an absolute disaster of a game. Unfortunately, that’s three straight disappointments from Civale now, and with this brutal valley, I can’t endorse holding on for Fenway up next.

Hayden Wesneski (CHC) vs SDP (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 94 pitches.

It’s a dope sweeper (51% CSW!) and nothing else. I guess that’s good enough for a PQS, but can you really trust this? Is his cutter and four-seamer effective enough at getting called strikes and outs to go six frames consistently? The way I see this, Wesneski needed unsustainable CSW performance on his sweeper + many outs on his four-seamer and cutter to make this – a PQS that hurts in a non-QS league – come to fruition. Feels like a terrible peak to chase.

Ryan Weathers (MIA) @ LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 97 pitches.

Pretty shocking to see a PQS with a solid WHIP against the Dodgers, let alone where he featured a ton of hittable changeups and four-seamers. It’s a letter addressed to “Stanley”- It isn’t for me and likely isn’t for you, either.

Joe Ross (MIL) @ KCR (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 67 pitches.

This is as forgettable of a start as you’ll find. It’s the absolute top of the bell curve as Ross looks out among the massive data set of starts across the 2024 season, hands on his hips. “Look at all those chickens.”

Graham Ashcraft (CIN) vs ARI (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 86 pitches.

Why does this feel like every Ashcraft line. Because he throws a cutter that doesn’t miss bats. Ahhhh, right. It’s the ole game of “Here, do something with this mediocrity.” A classic.

Jordan Hicks (SFG) @ COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.

Blegh. The sweeper was meh, the sinker allowed hits, and that’s your ballgame. At least the splitter was solid and he kept his head above water enough to return a Win. Phew.

Aaron Nola (PHI) vs TOR (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 96 pitches.

Nola. Why are you reminding me of the worst baseball movie and having trouble with the curve? That’s supposed to be your rock. Your foundation. Your sweet teddy bear to pull tight when the thunder cascades. And yes, I know those are a lot of words that could have been summarized by a Careful, Icarus as he allowed a trio of hits in the sixth that became worse after getting pulled from the game. Oh, so he was cruising before getting punished facing the lineup a third time. YOU KNOW WHAT. Yes. That’s exactly right. Carry on.

JP Sears (OAK) vs TEX (W) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 88 pitches.

Womp womp. At least you got a Win? Yay? The command was actually decent and suggested a proper BSB in the future, but the Rangers are legit and he needed to be more than a suggestion.

Martín Pérez (PIT) vs LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 73 pitches.

Uhhhh, yeah I think we’re done here. But the CSW! Naaaaah, let’s put this one to rest. Like a jog through the morning sun, it was a lovely run.

George Kirby (SEA) @ MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 70 pitches.

Aces gonna have some more wonky command as we simply aren’t allowed to have anything nice. It’s hard not to wonder if the knee pain was the issue here and I’m worried about Kirby moving forward. He’s not the guy that should have command issues.

José Soriano (LAA) @ PIT (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 82 pitches.

The fella was cruising until a rough fifth frame put all four runs on the board and knocked him out of the game. Pretty disappointing given his sinker jumping a tick in velocity and hitting 100.8 mph, paired with a new slider coming in three ticks harder at, oh I don’t know, 93.4 mph. But it must not have done well! Uhhhh 40% CSW. He gets the Cardinals next and I wouldn’t let José head to the wire. Stick with this.

Jack Leiter (TEX) @ OAK (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 60 pitches.

Jeez Leiter, this was some horrendous command. You’ve been given a pair of gifts in the A’s and Tigers and you’ve returned ten runs and squandered an easy Win here. Figure it out, I’ll be waiting over here, staring at the wire as I take yet another sip from my Greek-designed coffee cup. Why are they Greek? You can thank the Sherri Cup Company for that.

Osvaldo Bido (OAK) vs TEX (L) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 57 pitches.

Yuuuuup. Sometimes, baseball is what it’s supposed to be.

Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) @ NYY (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.

This was pretty terrible. Lots of hittable pitches, home runs galore, and my faith in the Pasta Pirate has reached its exhaustion point after witnessing all dentes he endured. With Cristian Javier likely returning before next week, I’d reckon Spencer walks the plank to Triple-A. We’ll miss you and your spirally gluten.

Nick Pivetta (BOS) @ ATL (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 58 pitches.

Atlanta + Still ILL = ignore this. But HAISTBMBWT?! By going back and reading my daily SP rankings and realizing you should have started someone else. Fair.

Michael Lorenzen (TEX) @ OAK (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 107 pitches.

Yikes. This felt like a decent Win chance or at least a PQS, but nooooope. Aim for higher standards in your life.

Peter Lambert (COL) vs SFG (L) – 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 67 pitches.

You know what they say about May. In like a Lambert, out like a lying on the couch, wondering why you ever thought about starting this man.

Game of the Day 

Logan Gilbert vs. Pablo López – It’s Lo vs. Ló and let’s all get low to watch the blow by blow. Please stop. You’re lucky Nate and Josh aren’t in this game.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

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