Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday 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.
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs SFG (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 81 pitches.
It’s strange to talk about Clayton Kershaw as a streamer but after a strong outing last weekend and Saturday’s followup of 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 81 pitches (W) against the Giants, many fantasy managers are trying to decide if he’s worth a pickup or not.
In a word, yes, but not for what you think. It’s not a product of trusting his 88 mph four-seamer’s command or that his slider is looking like the Filthy McGee pitch of yesteryear. And while it was fun seeing a trio of strikeouts on the big curveball, Kershaw doesn’t pack the stupid good dominant stuff of old nor the effortless command that made him cruise without a sweat.
It’s the schedule. Kershaw is slated to get WSN (as a LHP), @COL, CHW up next and on a winning team with good enough stuff, that’s fine with me. Just don’t get too wrapped up in the name.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Jacob Lopez (ATH) @ KCR (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.
These extension bois are kinda fun, aren’t they? Lopez is slinging sliders and four-seamers from the left side without a whole lot of velocity (91/92 mph heaters) but he’s keeping the slider down and generally going up with the heater and cutter at seven feet of extension. It’s weird and not seen a whole lot and it works. When he throws enough strikes, of course. The Royals allowed a 48% CSW in the process due to a ton of called strikes on the heater and that is sure to dwindle moving forward, but five punchouts on the heater is pretty dang cool, too. Are they really pulling this guy out of the rotation for J.T. Ginn’s return? If it’s a six-man, he’ll get the Guardians next (I think I’m in) and if it’s a standard five-man, it would be Houston (ehhhh). It’s not all weird and luck here, but the Shag Rug is so very present.
Hunter Dobbins (BOS) vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
Uhhhh, yeah, that’s a Gold Star for a true revenge game for Dobbins. He didn’t have the amped velocity of his previous outing, but he pulled back the four-seamers usage to just 28%, leaning into splitters, sweepers, curves, and sliders to get to the finish line. It’s a decent kitchen-sink of a mix, even if it’s a little sporadic and unrefined, and it may be good enough to deal with the Giants in Oracle Park next week.
Spencer Strider (ATL) vs COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 13 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 45% CSW, 87 pitches.
Ahahahaha that’s a fun Golden Goal. No, he’s not all of a sudden BACK – You’re too smart to overlook Rockie Road – but I’m thrilled to see his heater up a tick to 96 mph. Those whiffs didn’t come from the four-seamer, though. That went 7/50, while the slider returned 17/35 whiffs, which is all kinds of COME ON NOW. Unfortunately, it averaged 84/85 mph and I’m a bit concerned it still lacks the ooomph of 2023’s iteration, but he had fantastic feel for it and this was a devouring of the weak. Things should be still fun against the Marlins, though the Mets + Angels + Orioles after will be interesting.
Mike Vasil (CHW) @ TEX (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 71 pitches.
Civale was pushed to Sunday, allowing Vasil to get one more day with the pearl in the first, where he showed off three inches extra horizontal movement on the sinker, but elected to go for called strikes away instead of jamming RHB inside. No, I don’t get it. He’s not the sinker/sweeper arm who matters.
Matthew Boyd (CHC) vs PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.
WHERE MY BOYD BOYZ AT?! Okay, okay, just six whiffs and the overall command was kinda iffy here, while the old slider is still a work in progress. But we’ll take six strong frames and hope we can production against the Mariners in Wrigley.
Brady Singer (CIN) @ DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
The slider is still failing to return the whiffs of old + a 52% strike rate and yet, there’s success against the Tigers. It doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to work. But seriously, it doesn’t make sense and I wouldn’t do this against the Cardinals and Yankees moving forward.
Mike Burrows (PIT) @ CHC (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 81 pitches.
I chatter with Eno about Burrows, suggesting he could be someone to consider for 2026 and this outing was a prime display of his ceiling. Burrows’ changeup was disgusting to LHB, boasting and overall 10/18 whiffs on the pitch and six strikeouts. Whoa. The big question is if he’ll continue to get so many opportunities in two-strike counts with the offering. His four-seamer is the best he has to set the table and can work upstairs, though it isn’t the greatest heater around at 94/95 mph, while the slider and curve leave a lot to be desired. Hopefully he can take further advantage of his massive curveball + improve the slider to set up the slowball more often. You may be tempted to give it a shot against the Rangers next after a start like this and while I’m not completely against it, I’d be cautious. He seized every opportunity he could against LHB (which will likely not be the case again) + he’s very susceptible to RHB.
Cade Gibson (MIA) @ WSN (ND) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 15 pitches.
Who?! A trio of Marlins relievers opened for Janson Junk, who performed incredibly well at 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 64 pitches (W). You already know this isn’t something to lean into, though I will give him props for his stellar slider command gloveside + four-seamers up to RHB. Still can’t get behind it.
Hunter Brown (HOU) vs MIN (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 12 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 98 pitches.
Oh dang. He did it. He actually did it. Did what. He found a secondary pitch to earn whiffs. Hunter’s curveball was up 1-2 ticks (nothing else was), leading me to believe a tweak was made and the results were absurd. The pitch obliterated LHB and ended the night with 10/25 whiffs, making this an easy night at the park. This is the first time I’ve seen such a dominating breaking ball from Brown and if it’s real, I don’t care that he gets the Angels and Cubs next in the slightest. Show it to me there and you have a LEGIT AGA arm. Oh, and he’s at 97 mph with sparkling sinker command to RHB. It’s fun being hyped about Hunter.
Joe Ryan (MIN) @ HOU (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He explored quite a bit against RHB, even flexing a new curveball that went 7/8 strikes. That’s cool. Can you get your four-seamer upstairs moving often moving forward? K thx.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs TOR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 98 pitches.
He got low with that changeup and the Jays elected to pass on dealing with his 20″ horizontal sinker (that’s a whole lot of movement y’all). It was BSB for the most part, even if the sinker was a bit more middle than low, but I’ll take it all day. I’m glad he’s over 95 mph at the moment and not moving closer to 94.5 mph.
Jacob deGrom (TEX) vs CHW (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. deGrom didn’t get his slider down per usual and it resulted in four hits. Four! Unheard of from deGrom. Command is the real difference between this season and those prior (okay, and a tick or two on the slider. Fine.) and given that he still gets results without dotting the edges should make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
Trevor Williams (WSN) vs MIA (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.
Remember kids, #NeverTrevor. Seriously, 0/21 whiffs on his slider despite ideal precision down-and-away to RHB.
George Kirby (SEA) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 101 pitches.
Kirby faced a whole slew of LHB and I’m legit thrilled to report he pulled off the BSB against them. Four-seamers and sinkers lived upstairs + curveballs, sliders, and splitter intertwined low to make this happen. The curve stood out more than any with 17/24 strikes (none in play!) for a 71% clip and I absolutely dig it. I wonder if he can pull that off against RHB too…
Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ SEA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 104 pitches.
Oh jeez. Bibee was all over the place. You really couldn’t discern a gameplan save for some changeups and four-seamers while the cutter and sweeper had minds of their own. It wasn’t terrible and Bibee is effectively wild (even in the zone) but the Bibee I was hoping to see out of the gate still hasn’t arrived. I’m cautious letting him fly in Sacré Verde next time out.
Bowden Francis (TOR) @ PHI (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 74 pitches.
You started Francis? Why? When will you learn? WHEN WILL YOU LEARN?!
Michael Lorenzen (KCR) vs ATH (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 89 pitches.
It’s pretty blegh outside QS leagues, but if that’s your jam, I’m happy the PQS landed for you. Please don’t go after this on any regular basis.
Chase Dollander (COL) @ ATL (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
You know, a VPQS against a good offense isn’t the worst for Dollander. And hey! He featured 32% curveballs, splitting between the hook, four-seamer, and sinker across the night. Wait, sinker?! Oh, right. Dollander is throwing a sinker now with 17-18″ of horizontal movement at 96/97 mph. That’s cool, though I don’t quite understand why it’s used more against LHB than RHB. Welp, that’s a good development and hopefully we get to a point where he’s trustworthy even in Coors. If we do, it won’t be for a while.
Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.
Aces gonna labor a bit. The slider wasn’t on point in this one and his changeup was a bit too hittable to RHB, while the four-seamer didn’t demand success as we’ve seen in the past. Not his best and whatareyagonnado.
Ryan Bergert (SDP) @ ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! Yes, one ER too many, but a 1.00 WHIP with eight strikeouts is pretty dang impressive for the youngin’. He kept his heater upstairs and it worked well for 8/45 whiffs, even if the velocity was a tick down and his vert fell 1.5 inches to 17.4″. The sweeper appeared out of nowhere, too, and oddly was used as an effective pitch against LHB 25% of the time. I’m not sure if that will be a successful gameplan moving forward and we can look elsewhere in the short term with the Dodgers ahead, but if he holds a job, you may want in against the Nationals after. The slider is still great against RHB and that sweeper may work against the Nationals’ heavy dosage of LHB.
Tomoyuki Sugano (BAL) vs LAA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
Blegh. Sugano is best dealing with LHB via his splitter down-and-away + cutters and four-seamers up-and-in. This required sweepers to take the reins + the splitter isn’t nearly as effective. Lesson learned. The Rays should be a better matchup.
Andre Pallante (STL) @ MIL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 82 pitches.
Wait, seven strikeouts?! Huh, didn’t expect this kind of Dusty Donut from Pallante, but the slider went 7/22 whiffs and I guess that happens. He also sat 95.5 mph on the cut-fastball, which is kinda dope. Just one hit on thirty-eight thrown and if that slider gets featured more and the chaotic curve and sinker are ignored, he could be making something legit happen here. JUST SAYIN’. Suitman whispers into my ear No way, he gets to stroll down the Reds Carpet next week?! ALRIGHT IT’S TIME. Just this once.
Tylor Megill (NYM) vs TBR (L) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 82 pitches.
Bleeeegh. Remember that new slider? 47% strikes and 1/15 whiffs. Wat. Yeah, this was 9/30 four-seamer whiffs, which is great n whatnot, but he needs the supporting cast. I don’t think you can do this against the Phillies up next.
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs SDP (ND) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.
I dig that he’s trying to go BSB and it’s really strange to see Gallen execute a gameplan often, but then lose it here and there and have a poor night. I have good news, though – his schedule is great moving forward: @COL, @CHW, SFG, KCR. I think you’re okay across all four – the curve is phenomenal and the fastball command is better than the line suggests.
Drew Rasmussen (TBR) @ NYM (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.
A Win is cool n stuff,but it’s no fun seeing his four-seamer get battered around like that for two longballs and four hits. It was cutters + his pair of heaters for 80/87 pitches and these games will happen. i still love the fella and you should too.
Jose Quintana (MIL) vs STL (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 101 pitches.
Bleeeeegh. After showcasing excellent feel since his return from the IL, Quintana’s command was horrible. We’re talking 31% strike rates and when the strike rate is younger than my age, we have a PROBLEM. His sinker had to get far too many strikes, which landed over the plate too often as a result and the whole thing was a mess. It doesn’t mean he’s completely donezo and @MIN + PIT could both return positive outings ahead. The floor is back, though, and that’s a sad thing. I enjoyed living in the clouds.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ BAL (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
Ouch. His trusty changeup allowed a pair of longballs, while the four-seamer and cutter allowed their normal collection of base knocks. It’s the Yankees next and outside of a night hosting the Red Sox after, Anderson has a terrible schedule ahead of him. Doesn’t seem like now’s the time to have him rostered.
Landen Roupp (SFG) @ LAD (L) – 1.2 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 45 pitches.
Uhhhh that was terrible. Not that we expected this to be the greatest performance of the day or anything close against the Dodgers, it’s a major surprise to see Roupp suddenly fail to find strikes with his all of his pitches, especially the curve. The Dodgers were patient, took their hacks comfortably and that’s your bullp
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs CIN (L) – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
Wait what. Reds Carpet Flaherty was an absolute bust?! He allowed a homer on all three of his main pitches, but the real story was a horrific strike rate on his slider and curve, both losing two inches of drop and his curve losing 2-3 inches of sweep. This is an atrocity and you should see my holding my collarbone in my best WHY I NEVER! accent. Let’s act like this never happened.
Game of the Day
Kyle Harrison vs. Dustin May – Two youngins who could be so much more than what they’ve been.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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