Bassitt Found

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 Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.  

Chris Bassitt (NYM) vs MIL (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 109 pitches.

I wanted to take a moment and appreciate the return of Chris Bassitt as he went 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 109 pitches against the Brewers on Tuesday night. The last month has been rough for Chris. Three of his last five starts tallied 18 ER between them and it was shocking given the consistent floor for both ERA and WHIP he’s provided since the start of 2018.

But tonight, this was vintage Bassitt. His sinker returned a 41% CSW. His curveball landed strikes 68% of the time and kept hitters off balance. He elevated four-seamers and mixed in cutters for whiffs. It all led to eight frames of a return to form. This start had it all. 

I recognize the possibility this is a Dennis and Bassitt isn’t out of the woods. Still, for a guy who seemingly couldn’t reclaim his former ability, to produce like this is sure to bring a smile to your face. It’s good to be a Bassitt Hound once again.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:

 

Miles Mikolas (STL) vs PIT (W) – 8.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 129 pitches.

The dude was one strike away from a no-hitter. Uggggggggh. The pain of the game, literally here as Mikolas is going to feel this start after tossing 129 pitches. I wonder if the Cardinals give him an extra day off, but they have Thursday off and will likely toss Andre Pallante on Sunday against the Sawx. That should be good news as it sets up a decent two-start week where you can take full advantage of Mikolas’ hot streak. Why couldn’t you have done this during your first start against the Pirates?

Zach Davies (ARI) vs CIN (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 90 pitches.

That’s another outing where Davies featured a good changeup, though the sinker was the true champion here as he commanded it effectively glove-side for called strikes. There’s a chance it continues for another outing as he faces the Padres, but don’t forget the horrid floor beneath.

Tyler Mahle (CIN) @ ARI (ND) – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 119 pitches.

First we have Mikolas at 129, now it’s Mahle at 119, nearly earning himself a King Cole and earning a CGSHO…except this game went into extra. Life isn’t fair, y’all. His four-seamer was as wicked as ever, featuring an extra tick of velocity (it got better during the start and peaked in the ninth!), though he got a decent amount of help from his splitter + his slider and cutter working…when they found the zone. It certainly feels like Mahle is doing what he can to even out the horrors of the spring, though both of his back-to-back double-digit strikeout games were against the Snakes. It does make four games of 4 ER total, for what it’s worth, and it may do enough to earn a start against the Dodgers next. Good luck.

Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs TB (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 92 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. A big double-play to end the sixth kept his goose egg as he hit 100.3 mph on the heater tonight. He’s in prime form and it’s glorious.

Corey Kluber (TB) @ NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 93 pitches.

Wow, this is the most surprising line of the night. Kluber was able to take advantage of the passive Yankee offense with 19 combined called strikes across his sinker and cutter and that made all the difference. Well, that and getting a bit lucky on BABIP, but that’s baseball, ya know? It seems like he’s safe for the Orioles next, but that could be a trap given I don’t think Kluber is doing anything exceptional right now. H*ck, his curveball went 0/25 whiffs in this one. That ain’t it.

Logan Webb (SF) vs KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 112 pitches.

Whoa, a Gallows Pole for Webb? Really?! His slider has been much better over the last few weeks, but the changeup dominated with 10 whiffs alone, playing off the sinker that found itself boasting a 50% CSW by evening’s end. This is prime Webb, folks. Let’s hope it lasts.

Dane Dunning (TEX) vs HOU (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 99 pitches.

Dunning played a bit of the neckbeard game, hugging the east, west, and south edges of the zone and ignoring elevation. It lead to balls in play that fortunately returned outs, but that’s a dangerous game to play on your fantasy rosters.

Tony Gonsolin (LAD) vs LAA (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 86 pitches.

The dude can’t be stopped. His slider was strong here for 67% strikes as the four-seamer, despite its lower velocity this season, earned whiffs + the splitter was a good nullifier. It’s working. IT’S WORKING. Y’all want an AGA, I bet, and I’m not there yet, but he’s certainly going to make it hard to deny if he keeps doing this.

Dylan Cease (CWS) @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 108 pitches.

Ahhhh there he is. That WHIP hurts, sure, but the slider was, well, it returned whiffs but was elevated far too much, and the four-seamer and curve were fine. But it’s the Tigers! So we rejoice. Cease is the SP #3 we thought he would be and that’s cool with me.

Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.

This was the best start I’ve seen from Gilbert all year. Why? Because look at this pitch separation. Four-seamers elevated, sliders staying down, curveballs in the zone, and even competitive changeups in the mix. Was it the man you dreamt of in the pre-season? Who, Devin Townsend? Ohhh Gilbert, nah, his slider is still not a whiff-heavy pitch and the other secondaries didn’t flash plus, but if he’s boasting this command across his repertoire, it really doesn’t matter. His heater can be the whiff pitch if the other offerings act like this.

Matthew Liberatore (STL) vs PIT (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 79 pitches.

Hey alright! This worked! His four-seamer and sinker returned outs, though the slider and curveball combined for just 50% strikes. There’s work to be done here, so make sure to thank the Pirates on the way out.

Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs OAK (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 100 pitches.

This is so far away from what I know Pivetta to be and it’s freaking me out a little. The man in previous years wouldn’t go eight frames, nor would he return just three strikeouts or provide good ratios. WHAT IS THIS WORLD. The Cards are next and I feel like this is more of a Vargas Rule than a legit shift for Pivetta, but you gotta keep pressing on. He’s elevating that heater super well and even got the breakers down, too. Amazing.

Kyle Hendricks (CHC) vs SD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 78 pitches.

Hendricks is a Cherry Bomb these days and it’s nice to see he still has that sweetness in him. Don’t bank on it.

Noah Syndergaard (LAA) @ LAD (L) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.

Ehhhhh, okay. The ratios don’t hurt and you got five strikeouts and maybe I should be praising Thor more for surviving against the Dodgers. Or maybe it’s more confirmation about my lack of enthusiasm for Syndergaard as he’s simply not the man we want him to be. He gets the Mariners and that could be just fine.

Kris Bubic (KC) @ SF (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.

Yeaaaah nah. Sure, six strikeouts, but was it worth it? WAS IT?! He’s still a Frozen Banana to me.

JT Brubaker (PIT) @ STL (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 106 pitches.

I guess this is okay from Coffee Cakes, but I’d look elsewhere to fill in your roster spots where you can. He’s a deep league Toby and that’s no fun in 12-teamers.

Drew Hutchison (DET) vs CWS (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 62 pitches.

Hutch?! What are you doing here?! I dunno, I figured I give it the ole college try again. And give us just one strikeout?! HAISTBMBWT?! I dunno, with a knife? DUDE.

Shane Bieber (CLE) @ COL (ND) – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 105 pitches.

On one hand, my skepticism of his slider was correct: He went just 5/36 whiffs with the breaker that carried him in previous starts. On the other hand, his four-seamer, despite its sub 91 mph velocity, was able to nab nineteen called strikes despite pitching in Coors. It propelled him to a King Cole, though his ratios lit up in the seventh for a Careful, Icarus, allowing a pair of runs and quelling the thrill you had after six. Don’t expect the fastball called strike to stay mile high, but you’ll get more breaker whiffs outside Colorado.

Antonio Senzatela (COL) vs CLE (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.

Oh. It’s you. Enjoying that VPQS? Very much. NO YOU’RE NOT. How dare you accuse me of my taste? HOW DARE YOU TAKE STARTS FROM FELTNER?! We don’t get along very well.

José Urquidy (HOU) @ TEX (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 84 pitches.

It’s a Dusty Donut with that PQS but I’m stoked to see the slider return to form with 9/26 whiffs while the four-seamer earned a 41% CSW. This was encouraging, though the change and curve still have a bit of work left to do before I get actually enthralled again.

Zach Eflin (PHI) vs MIA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.

Eflin allowed a pair of two-run shots in the first inning, then settled down for five scoreless. He sat a tick down across everything, and nearly two ticks on his four-seamer, with the curveball returning just 24% CSW and three whiffs. This ain’t it and I’m sad to see. Man, I was really starting to think his curveball was coming around, too.

Max Fried (ATL) @ WSH (W) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 104 pitches.

Aces gonna…get beat up by the Nationals. Huh. Maybe I should be taking the Nats’ offense a little more seriously — they keep messing up guys when we really don’t expect it. Nothing alarming here from Fried, just one of those nights.

Jordan Lyles (BAL) @ TOR (W) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 96 pitches.

You should be happy to see the seven strikeouts, but Toronto’s bats are as hot as a seatbelt in July. You don’t wanna touch it.

Adrian Houser (MIL) @ NYM (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 96 pitches.

Yeaaaaah I really don’t like rolling with Houser if I can avoid it. I understand in deep NL-Only leagues where you just need innings, but it’s not the play you make elsewhere.

Joe Ryan (MIN) @ SEA (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 74 pitches.

Blegh. He didn’t get his heaters up enough and his slider was gone. I imagine it’s rust from his COVID-IL stint and he should bounce back against the Guardians.

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs BAL (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 68 pitches.

Not even against the Orioles? I guess the people were right. It was a Robbie Ray transformation, just a year off is all. Ouch. Yeah, sorry.

Trevor Rogers (MIA) @ PHI (ND) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 6 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 94 pitches.

Oh dear. I wouldn’t live in Rogers’ neighborhood. I wouldn’t even live in his state. 

Sean Manaea (SD) @ CHC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 72 pitches.

Say what. Manaea, I was just giving you praise for how we were underrating you and this is how you repay me?! His heater fell closer to 90 mph this time around (blegh) and his changeup + slider were far from overwhelming. I’d expect a bounceback against Arizona, though if he has the same stuff, it may be a bit dicey.

Jared Koenig (OAK) @ BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.

This had disaster written all over it and I’m just thinking now of the madman who actually takes the time to cover a package with DISASTER 50 times. Yeesh, some people. Anyway, Koenig isn’t the young arm you want to chase.

Bryse Wilson (PIT) @ STL (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 96 pitches.

It began poorly with his first pitch of the game leaving the yard and it never stopped. He’s cold as Bryce.

Jackson Tetrault (WSH) vs. ATL (L) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 91 Pitches.

He isn’t even in the MLB system and his 94/95 mph heater returned just 9% CSW across 55 pitches and one came on his first pitch of the game (97 mph past Acuña). Maybe he has that heat for more than a frame or so in the future, but yeah, he fell apart pretty quickly and it spells avoid for the time being. Maaaaybe if that heater stays 96+ and he commands the cutter well then we can latch on. Maybe.

 

Game of the Day 

Shane McClanahan vs. Nestor Cortes – Also Castillo vs. Gallen and Flaherty returning vs Contreras and SO MUCH GOOD BASEBALL.

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

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Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)