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 Twitch weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) @ ARI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 105 pitches.
I recall the deep discussions we had in the winter of 21-22, debating if Ranger Suárez would be able to replicate his glistening second-half that reminded us of Kris Medlen and other legends of our playoff runs. In actuality, what we’ve learned is that Ranger is capable of brilliant stretches when he wields everything in his arsenal and we’re very much in one now after he went 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 105 pitches against the Diamondbacks. That’s just 4 ER across his last four outings with 22 strikeouts, including starts against the Mets and Dodgers.
The curve got whiffs, the sinker earned called strikes, the four-seamer tallied…3/14 strikes?! Seriously?! The changeup wasn’t all too great either, but that sinker and curve were the winners that carried the way through and that’s fine with me.
The lack of command of his cutter, change, and four-seamer have me scared for Atlanta up next, but this feels like a proper Vargas Rule and when he hits the wall, please trust that it is, in fact, the wall. Did you just say that in a horrible English accent? Great, me too.
Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:
José Berríos (TOR) @ BAL (W) – 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 90 pitches.
Berríos flirted with a no-hitter in this one and settled for 7.2 shutout frames. I guess that’ll work. I’m shocked to report he nearly split his fastball usage between four-seamers and sinkers here and guess what happened? He allowed hits on the four-seamer? HE ALLOWED HITS ON THE FOUR-SEAMER. You had it figured out, Berríos, why go and change it? H*ck, that sinker had a 75% strike rate, you didn’t need the dang four-seamer at all. WHAT HAS IT EVER DONE FOR YOU?!
Michael Wacha (SD) vs CLE (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 94 pitches.
That’s eight in a row now for Wacha and I don’t know how you could possibly bench him now. Suitman whispers in my ear The Giants aren’t that scary—ohhh, 1.5 ticks down on everything you say? Well that’s not ideal. Nah, you have to start Wacha. Don’t big brain this.
Eury Pérez (MIA) @ SEA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 93 pitches.
After hearing the news of Trevor Rogers that likely extends Pérez’s time in the major before Miami limits his innings (Craig Mish suggested a valley in the middle of the summer before returning in the second half), Eury elected to take full advantage of his borrowed time with domination against the Mariners. It was a joy watching his slider and change land low while he spotted fastballs brilliantly up and down the zone. This is the man we dreamed of.
Mike Clevinger (CWS) @ LAD (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 77 pitches.
Clevinger was well on his way toward earning a Gold Star before leaving with right biceps tendonitis. Not great, Bob. It’s very rare for that to not be an IL stint.
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs TOR (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 98 pitches.
Whoa, there’s your Gold Star for the night. Can you see the look on my face right now as I see that line against the Jays with just one strikeout and five whiffs? HAISTBMBWT?! Before you tell me that he has a sub 3.00 ERA across his seven starts, I’ll mention that I still hate his fastballs and the slider went just 11% CSW here. Oh, and the Rays are next. Oh, and his name rhymes with Mile. Why is that important? Because this is a streeeeetccccch.
Framber Valdez (HOU) vs WSH (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. See, he’s fine. Stupid Jays.
Reid Detmers (LAA) @ TEX (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! The slider went 10/34 whiffs (incredible) while the curve was legit for 30% CSW and 65% strikes across 23 thrown. This was a whole lot more of what I want to see from Detmers as the four-seamer stayed elevated plenty as well, and yet there’s still another step to go if he can stay consistent with his pitch separation. Steps, not leaps y’all. One more rough matchup ahead with the Dodgers, but if he’s able to maintain these gains, it may be the beginning of the ascension. That would be cool.
Justin Verlander (NYM) vs NYY (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 107 pitches.
Oddly enough, I liked Verlander’s command less in this one, but that’s just me. At least he got his curve inside the zone and avoided mistakes over the plate with the fastball. We’re starting him against the Astros, duh.
Gerrit Cole (NYY) @ NYM (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Guess what. The slider is back?! What? No, that’s still kinda meh at 3/27 whiffs and inconsistent locations. Nah, his four-seamer was as good as ever at 36% CSW and dominated inside the zone with 11 whiffs. Fun stuff.
Osvaldo Bido (PIT) @ CHC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
He’s an arm reliant on sinkers for called strikes without a whiff pitch he can rely on for a mediocre team. That doesn’t sound good. No, it does not. I can see a world where it comes through for him, but I don’t think he’s worth the ceiling.
Andrew Heaney (TEX) vs LAA (ND) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
His changeup was laughable and some of his sliders were not a chance pitches, but the overall idea was there with four-seamers in the upper half and sliders kinda “around the area.” Still some work to do here, obviously. Try something else in the meantime.
Garrett Whitlock (BOS) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 92 pitches.
Yessss, somehow you were still able to stream Whitlock after his start against the Yankees. After this King Cole, do you really need more convincing with his upcoming schedule @MIN + @CHW? Yes. Ugh, fine. His slider and changeup each returned 40%+ CSW, his sinker was well spotted for 11 called strikes, and his secondaries returned a 28% SwStr rate total. Okay I’m in. Atta boy.
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.
When Ober is able to go 39% CSW on either his changeup or slider, you know it’s gonna be a good line. Did you realize he has a 2.65 ERA and sub 1.00 WHIP with nearly a strikeout per inning after this outing? Bonkers, I tell ya. The best kind of bonkers, like with a club and proper sound effects.
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs CWS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 97 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. That’s TATIAGA clocking in and we’re totally okay if he never clocks out. DON’T LEAVE US.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs MIA (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 6 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 101 pitches.
Aces gonna walk six batters while avoiding the heart of the plate entirely. Sinkers returned just 50% strikes (yuck) while the slider bested it with a putrid 40% strike rate (double yuck), and the changeup…well that was okay. Sorry, no dumb laughter with the yuck yuck yuck, but you didn’t want that anyway. At least the four-seamer is still silly in the most wonderful way and we look at this start as an odd exception. Why are you throwing 24 sinkers in the first place when you have such a good four-seamer?
Ben Lively (CIN) @ KC (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.
Nothing like a good ole Singled Out with a Win to enjoy your Wednesday nights, am I right? “Good ole”? Oh, I’m sorry, I meant Terrible. Sorry, the letters are like right next to each other. I didn’t see enough here to try against Rockie Road up next, sadly.
Aaron Civale (CLE) @ SD (L) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.
95 pitches for eleven outs isn’t what you want to see, even if it did come with seven strikeouts. Civale was also a tick up on nearly everything, though he only tossed 15 curveballs in favor of 38 sinkers and can’t say I’m a huge fan of that…but he had to. He just didn’t have the hook working (5/14 strikes is bleeggggh) and there’s only so much wishcasting I can do. Great news, however: Civale will get the Athletics + Brewers up next, who will both be likely worse at resisting said hook. I’m in for those.
Jordan Montgomery (STL) vs SF (ND) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 98 pitches.
That’s essentially a VPQS and what else can you really expect from The Bear these days. At least you got some strikeouts? I’m not sure he’s even worth it for the Nationals up next at this point. I guess so, but I dunno, maybe stream something else.
Austin Gomber (COL) @ BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
We’ll take a PQS all day from Gomber as the negative temperature of the Boston offense overruled Gomber being…Gomber. But his slider went 11/41 whiffs! Okay that was pretty cool as it came in a tick harder with extra break both vertically and laterally. It’s likely not sticking around, but that was fun.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 102 pitches.
There was some tension here with Kelly failing to dominate his last outing and the Phils packing some thump, but a Gallows Pole to go along with the PQS is just fine with us. The wonderful 2023 campaign continues.
Tyler Glasnow (TB) @ OAK (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna…wait. Some smart people in the Twitch Chat convinced me to lower Glasnow in the ranks as his success is more about earning strikes than the quality of the opposition and here’s exactly that, with a near Golden Goal yet sporting four walks and more than a hit per inning. But Nick, Glasnow held 65% strike rate for the night. Huh. Stop losing batters then? That’s all I’ve got, maybe Glasnow really wants Oakland to sell the team, too.
Josiah Gray (WSH) @ HOU (ND) – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.
Honestly, that’s better than I expected from Josiah in Houston, and I’m shocked to report that he’s upped his sinker usage for the second straight start. You see, Josiah has tossed the pitch about 5% of the time this year, but went 17% last start. Here? 38% sinkers was his most used pitch with just two hits allowed…one of which was an 0-2 offering middle-away from a RHB and I just can’t endorse that. It’s just the latest attempt from Josiah to find a way to get strikes outside of his slider and curve and given the plans with the four-seamer and cutter failed, why not try sinkers instead? I don’t believe it, but hey, there’s a chance.
Colin Rea (MIL) @ MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.
Everybody doesn’t know who Rea is. I do. Oh Rea Lee, is that you? Sure is! Wow, it’s been forever. How’s the fantasy team? Not great, I started Colin. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT.
Luis Medina (OAK) vs TB (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 79 pitches.
It was the Rays, you knew better. So smart, you are.
Drew Smyly (CHC) vs PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
After a brilliant eight-game stretch following his putrid season debut, Smyly has disappointed managers as he hasn’t been able to find his feel for the curve. It’s close but not quite there, allowing teams like the Pirates to mess him up. He’ll get them a second time and I won’t rule out redemption, but he’s not the arm to chase.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna…hold a 4.12 ERA on June 15th of the season. Oh no. I’m a little in shock, but it comes down to a few fastballs and sliders that got blasted near the middle of the plate and that’s about it. Sure, he could be a little better with his command, but this felt like another one of those One Night Bland outings that every pitcher seemingly has a handful of this year and I wouldn’t read this as Strider massively failing. He still has one of the best fastballs in the game + flicks a fantastic slider over the plate. Sometimes it’s just like that.
Dylan Dodd (ATL) @ DET (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 79 pitches.
This was actually looking decent until a rowdy fourth frame and we’re back to Dodd being just another Dood.
Anthony DeSclafani (SF) @ STL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 78 pitches.
Believe me now? But he had seven strikeouts! Okay okay, the slider had a 47% CSW with 8/34 whiffs, but the fastball command (and changeup + curve while we’re at it) is terrrrrrible. Please stop doing this to yourself.
Michael Lorenzen (DET) vs ATL (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 94 pitches.
Lorenzen was a fun add for the weak teams. Altanta isn’t weak, they have the power of Cola on their side. Joey or Alex? CoLa. Ohhhhh like soda n stuff. Cool cool cool.
Reese Olson (DET) vs ATL (L) – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 89 pitches.
This was a clear bench against Atlanta, but you may want to consider Olson in deeper leagues with 2x starts against the Twins up next. There’s a decent skill set in there that didn’t come out in full here but could show up against a weaker opponent.
Daniel Lynch (KC) vs CIN (L) – 7.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 102 pitches.
Womp womp. At least Justin Mason will have to call me Sir Nick Pollack moving forward and yet I wish Lynch came through as Justin wanted. You know, pitchers n stuff. As for what he actually did, Lynch focused on his changeup over the slider twice as much once again and I just don’t see it as that great of an offering. This Frozen Banana was forgotten behind the Trader Joe’s paste bags as you stare at it and go “oh yeah” before closing the freezer door.
Game of the Day
Shohei Ohtani vs. Nathan Eovaldi – Both pitchers are coming off a rough outing and I’d love to see them both cruise through six, at least.
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 Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Featured Image by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)
Whitlock or Detmers going forward?