Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: BB King Remastered

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.

Michael King (SDP) vs OAK (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 98 pitches.

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past month of Michael King, who held a 5.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 13% walk rate as of April 28th with 36 innings under his belt. Since then, he’s held just a 7% walk rate with a 2.49 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 47 IP, including today’s magnificent 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 98 pitches performance. And yes, that’s a 29% strikeout rate in that time, too.

This Golden Goal encapsulates the pristine command we’ve seen from King along this ride. His changeup and sweeper are darting to opposite sides of the plate, while he plays games with his sinker inside and out to RHB. He even sported surprise front-hip sinkers to LHB today, among the four-seamers dotted away and occasional sweeper called for strikes.

He’s a command specialist. It was awfully strange to see King go off the deep end with walks in the early part of the year, but it’s important we’ve all calibrated our perception post-April. King is a Holly, even if this game had a sprinkle of Blame it on the Athletics to elevate the strikeout rate. He’s here to stay.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Bryce Miller (SEA) vs CHW (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.

Blame it on the White Sox. I’ll give props to Bryce for having a four-seamer that can overwhelm a poor offense by just chucking it down the pipe and he did go 8/11 slider strikes, but the sweeper + splitter + cutter combined for 10/23 strikes. I’m still worried about starting him against proper lineups. Figure. It. Out. Are you talking to me or Bryce? Yes. That doesn’t answer the question. YES.

Cade Povich (BAL) vs ATL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 89 pitches.

I got texts from Fast talking about how much I’d love this start from Povich and after watching it, Povich was…fine. He certainly loves his curveball (52% CSW!) and there were some lovely sweepers to mess up a batter, but I worry a little that his four-seamer is too hittable, even if he was able to spot it incredibly well save for one pitch (sorry Olson, hope you’re alright). This was BSB with that heater upstairs + curves and changeups down, but can that really work when you throw a steep heater at 92 mph with mediocre extension and average iVB? I’m not too sure. At any rate, Povich could be out of the rotation now with Kremer possibly coming back in the next turn of the rotation + I doubt the Orioles are still going six-man in the first place. And if he does stick around, it’s the Yankees next. Hold off on adding Povich, even if you disagree with my assessment of Povich as a decent Toby and nothing else.

Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ MIL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 100 pitches.

The walks are super weird (lowish called strikes on the sinker are the biggest culprit) but the rest is normal. We carry on.

José Soriano (LAA) @ ARI (W) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 97 pitches.

We got sinker strikes, we means we didn’t get Soriano yikes. 50% CSW on the curve to clean things up + a trio of whiffs on seven sliders is a lovely surprise. Now it’s Milwaukee + Dodgers and I’d personally let Soriano go to the wire in your 12-teamers. It’s not worth the long two-week stash.

Sonny Gray (STL) vs PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 84 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The sweeper and curve earned strikes once again, while the cutter and four-seamer (isn’t that redundant?) each did their part along the edges and corners. Seriously, that cutter was gorgeous today.

Jonathan Cannon (CHW) @ SEA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 104 pitches.

Wait. Is Cannon actually good? Before you answer that, here’s a Gold Star. I’ve given him some love as a Toby type, but this was sweepers + cutters getting the job done with 10/47 whiffs + 3/15 whiffs and 67% strikes on the changeup…and a solid four-seamer…and a well-spotted sinker. Yeah, I think he actually can be legit…if he can pitch like this constantly and get away with cutters over the heart of the plate. That may be a difficult ask for a start against the Astros next (Blame it on the Mariners, am I right?), but he’ll get the Tigers after that and I think you can take the gamble for a stream then.

Jake Irvin (WSN) @ DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 98 pitches.

The dude cannot be stopped. His curveball went 15/35 called strikes, while the four-seamer and sinker were hanging around like obnoxious kids with fathers who own the school. With Arizona up next, we’re holding on for the ride.

Tobias Myers (MIL) vs TOR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 66 pitches.

Huh. I’m pretty shocked by this one as it didn’t come with whiffs, nor stellar command, nor the changeup cooking like I wanted it to. Nah, this was an efficient game of “here are pitches in the zone” and the Jays obliged. Oh Canada, you’re too kind. Maybe that works against the Angels next week if the balls find gloves, though A) it requires Myers to throw a ton of strikes again and B) the Angels are still a major league team.

Aaron Civale (TBR) vs CHC (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 85 pitches.

YES. The curve went 39% CSW across 18 thrown and the cutter earned strikes and outs. I’m a little worried about the high sweepers in the mix, but yes! He had a productive start with his cutter and curve! Do we start him against the Twins? Maybe! I’m personally not adding Civale yet in 12-teamers as the feel still looks a bit off, but let’s hope he can build on this. Gotta start somewhere.

Jon Gray (TEX) @ LAD (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 65 pitches.

The Rangers limited Gray in his return to the rotation and let’s be happy he didn’t get absolutely trounced, yeah? Great to see his four-seamer sitting nearly 96 mph after being at just 94/95 mph for most of the year. You should be fine starting him against the Mets next for roughly 80 pitches.

Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 102 pitches.

That WHIP hurts, but we’ll take this all day. It was a game of his four-seamer doing all the work with some curveballs helping out here and there, and with the Pirates next, we spin the wheel again. I’m still on the fence for the long term without the curve nor change looking reliable.

Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) @ BAL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.

Hey, that’s pretty great for Mr. Crescendo against Baltimore. There’s a Toby in here with curves, cutters, sliders, changeups, and a 96 mph heater, all spotted generally well to keep himself competitive during at-bats. If he sticks around in this rotation, I think he’s worth your attention, maybe even right now with the Tigers up next.

Cody Poteet (NYY) @ KCR (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 88 pitches.

He’s a Toby who didn’t have his best changeup command. Or best curveball command…or best sweeper command. And if the Yankees keep him in the rotation, he’ll be set to face the Orioles, followed by a demotion given Gerrit Cole should be back after that, if not before. Soooo that’s it? Yeah. That’s it. Maybe something will open up in due time and you have a decent streamer.

Hogan Harris (OAK) @ SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.

Annnnnd we’re back down to 15″ inches of vert, not the 17 or 16 inches we saw across his last two starts, respectively. But it was still a good start! That it was, even with a worse heater and just 6/17 curveball strikes. Oh. He’ll get the Royals next and I’d personally prefer to let this fun ride live…inside the filing cabinet. No need to add any more marks to it, just reflect happily on this run and don’t expect it to continue.

Walker Buehler (LAD) vs TEX (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 88 pitches.

Buehler had a very clear plan in this one: sinkers down-and-in to RHB with a few cutters and sliders away, then cutters + four-seamers + changeups to LHB. Why did you only throw five four-seamers and only to LHB?! It’s such a good offering and he actually elevated the five he threw (all to LHB), including a whiff…but then again, he allowed two hits on the pitch, including Seager absolutely crushing one in the fifth. I dunno, I’m happy he’s trying something and sticking to a proper plan now, but I’m not believing in this plan, exactly. Let’s see how it adapts in his next start in Coors. I’d still hold off for now.

Pablo López (MIN) vs COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.

Ayyyy, we got some redemption! His heater was a bit slower at 93/94 instead of 94/95, but we saw plenty of breaking ball strikes + a 47% CSW changeup. It’s a step forward, though he doesn’t seem as locked in as in the past quite yet. Fastballs were a little rougher and overall, his secondaries didn’t have that extra layer of polish we’re used to. Steps, not leaps, though. Steps, not leaps.

Javier Assad (CHC) @ TBR (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.

Hmmmmm. I feel like this Vargas Rule is over and Assad is just trying to be a Toby now. Does that mean we hold him for the Giants up next? If you want, I think we’re all on the same page that we don’t have to hold Assad anymore. He’s just fine.

Logan Webb (SFG) vs HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 83 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Doesn’t matter the opponent, you start Webb. That’s why he has the label and you don’t. Hey, I didn’t deserve that. Maybe you did. I don’t know you. Probably.

Bailey Falter (PIT) @ STL (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches.

Blegh. The four-seamer was all there was to it, and it didn’t do enough as he was Singled Out by the Cardinals. Maybe just another few poor outings leads to him getting dealt to the Rays…Nick, stop with that. I KNOW HIS DESTINY.

Reese Olson (DET) vs WSN (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 91 pitches.

Noooooo. This was supposed to be the redemption start for Olson after a pair of disappointing outings. So what is he now, a drop? Nah. Only one hit allowed on each of the changeup and slider – Olson’s two clearly legit pitches. He just has to axe the fastballs here and there while not leaving so many hung curveballs to bail hitters out. Believe in Olson, even with Atlanta next (they aren’t that great of an offense these days!). Your faith will be rewarded with a White Sox start after, too.

Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ CIN (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 102 pitches.

Oh cool, your arm angle has gotten higher again and your changeup + four-seamer is back to being a little weird, but at least you got 11 strikeouts with a sub 1.00 WHIP because your slider was on point. But a 45% CSW changeup! Yeah, that happens and maybe I should just accept it. It’s not a pristinely spotted changeup, but with his four-seamer being the watermelon to feast on, batters are susceptible to the random changeup, even if it’s not spotted perfectly well. We keep riding with him, obviously.

David Peterson (NYM) vs MIA (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 84 pitches.

No, this is not worth the Win. I think. Yeah no, this Dusty Donut is taking multiple breaths to justify and now all the sprinkles are gone. HAISTBMBWT?! 0/14 sliders whiffs just isn’t the man we need Peterson to be.

Braxton Garrett (MIA) @ NYM (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 89 pitches.

This is what happens, Larry, this is what happens when you don’t have your cutter or changeup back. I’m not ruling out that Braxton can find productive frames against the Cardinals next week, of course, but I really don’t want to go after this until he showcases it’s inside the tank. Just lift the bag with the goldfish in it to show it’s still there. Dahlia! Don’t worry, she’s fine. No sewer system can ruin this one.

Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.

Jeeeez Pivetta, this ain’t cool. The four-seamer wasn’t wielded as it should and his curve + whirlybird sweeper returned just 4/41 whiffs. There’s yer problem. It’s annoying and all we can do is start him against the Jays next and hope for the best. But the cutter is gone! Yah, that’s true. He’s still good without it (normally) but yeah, I wish it were still here. Always had a good outlook, you know?

Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) @ BOS (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 67 pitches.

Blegggggh. His changeup wasn’t there and sinkers didn’t find gloves as he needed them to. We’ve seen some nights without Sánchez’s changeup this year and we’ll likely see more of them. He’ll still be solid more times than not.

Framber Valdez (HOU) @ SFG (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 59 pitches.

Oh right, you had a ridiculously stupid good outing last time. We have to correct the world’s imbalance. DUH. What do we do? There’s nothing you can do. This is who he is.

Dan Altavilla (KCR) vs NYY (L) – 0.1 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 27 pitches.

Oh my. Lynch must have allowed fewer runs once he showed up. Nope, that was 6.2 IP of 6 ER. And yet, you’re not surprised.

Slade Cecconi (ARI) vs LAA (L) – 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 75 pitches.

It’s a new changeup at 2-3 ticks harder and less drop, and it went sub 50% strikes and a 16% CSW. So yeah, not great.

Austin Gomber (COL) @ MIN (L) – 3.0 IP, 8 ER, 11 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 72 pitches.

Did you get Gomber’d? I can hear his cackle in your thoughts. But seriously, you didn’t get Gomber’d, right? Right?!

 

Game of the Day

 

Aaron Nola vs. Tanner Houck – It’s Nola Day and Houck’s final boss for his AGA tag.

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

Have Questions? – Join my morning Playback.tv livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.

Photo by Gibson | Featured Image by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)