Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs HOU (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.
I haven’t endorsed Jack Flaherty a whole lot this season and with a brief IL stint ending on Sunday, I had no interest in taking a shot against a RHB-focused lineup against the Astros. Whoops. 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches (ND). This outing brings Flaherty’s strikeout rate to 31% since May 6th if you remove his injured outing, and jumps to 36% across his last five proper starts since May 22nd.
The number I didn’t tell you? His 1.42 WHIP in that stretch, even with a lower 6.5% walk rate, due to a 65% hard hit rate on his four-seamer. That’s always been the issue for Flaherty and despite returning to nearly 94 mph on his heater in this one, I’m skeptical it can be a strike pitch without damage (just 58% strikes here, its lowest since April 20th!). That puts pressure on the slider and curve to step up and this may be their best act as a duo all year, each returning a 28%+ SwStr rate and 67% strikes, living at the bottom of the zone as we normally see them.
Is this sustainable? Is Jack capable of holding 93/94 mph velocity and this feel for his breakers low? Part of me wants to take the chance in Arlington – he’s always been about rhythm with his breakers and when both are working, he generally deserves success – and the other part of me knows how volatile he’s been all year. Consider him as a strikeout option for those who need it, while I suggest 12-teamer managers stay away. You don’t need to put yourself in harm’s way. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Robbie Ray (SFG) vs ATL (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches.
This is all kinds of weird. What is Ray’s best pitch? His four-seamer, obviously. He’d say the same thing, but didn’t on Sunday with just seven thrown. All to RHB upstairs, and instead going sinker/changeup away to RHB all game. Just five breakers to RHB, too. Absolutely bizarre. His slide piece was mostly saved for LHB, where it went 3/20 whiffs and just 35% strikes, and I’m sitting here wondering not just how much he bribed Koufax, but how even organized the transaction. This surprise sinker play doesn’t work for a long time (ask the Guardians pitchers) and it’s another moment in this absurd month-long spiritual journey. Is that Robbie in a cotton toga on top of that mountain?! Yep, he’s heading to Coors next and he’s a method actor. Uhhhh. He’s playing the role of the pitch-to-contact-because-I’m-starving-for-whiffs-and-lost-my-way journeyman. It’s a temporary gig, though. I think. (View Game Card)
Sonny Gray (BOS) vs NYY (ND) – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
Hot DANG! I didn’t realize it was clear blue skies in Fenway for this Sonny delight. He flirted with a no-hitter through seven frames despite failing to replicate the great sweeper he had last time out. That’s the way it is, he has a kitchen sink where he’s never quite commanding all of his offerings perfectly, but gives himself a chance to get his outs. Keep letting him fly, of course. (View Game Card)
Kumar Rocker (TEX) @ TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.
That’s 36 whiffs in two starts, fueled by his 83 mph gyro slider. No, I don’t fully get it. Yes, I think it’s great how well he can locate that slider down to LHB. He’ll get the Tigers and Angels up next and if you want to Vargas Rule it, by all Johns means, go ahead. I simply don’t believe it will last with his terrible fastballs and inconsistent cutter. (View Game Card)
Drew Rasmussen (TBR) vs ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 99 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Business as usual. (View Game Card)
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs CHC (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
That’s two starts back from the IL and just two hits to his name. Gotta love his Ras Pack, even if the cutter’s 43% strike rate and rare usage isn’t making the biggest impact. There’s just something so hard to hit about his sinker and four-seamer… (View Game Card)
Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
Jeeeez, three walks, an error, and a single scored two unearned runs in the fourth, and I blame the slider’s lack of reliability for his struggles. Not because he featured it, but because Rodón wasn’t confident to throw the pitch when he missed with his change or four-seamer. It’s an issue, and fortunately one that doesn’t inhibit him from productivity. I sure hope he finds that slider feel again or this creaking floor will collapse. (View Game Card)
Chris Sale (ATL) @ SFG (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Yep, still at 96/97 mph. Mind playing nice to Koufax to spare our WHIP next time? K thx. (View Game Card)
Ryan Feltner (COL) @ MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 82 pitches.
I’m sorry, does that say zero strikeouts? ZERO?! Sir, you have to pay for bread here. THEN I DON’T NEED NO BUTTER. (View Game Card)
Emerson Hancock (SEA) @ CLE (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 98 pitches.
Blame it on the Guardians. Well, that’s not totally fair – Hancock has been solid! It was strange to see him return to the four-seamer ways with an extra 1.5 ticks of velocity (96/97 mph!) but at 7″ of vert and 1/35 whiffs as a result. It was Hancock brute-forcing his way through the lineup as cutters, sweepers, and changeup failed to do a whole lot, and his curveball was the reluctant choice for 6/10 strikes. He’ll get more LHB next time out against the Jays, allowing for the proper sinker to do more work, but this really has second-half regression written all over it. (View Game Card)
Sam Aldegheri (LAA) vs ATH (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.
Oh, that’s nice. He’s a SWATCH with a four-seamer that is all over the place and not to be trusted at 91/92 mph + a meh changeup. Don’t go eating too much cake at this Birthday Party. (View Game Card)
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) @ SDP (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 84 pitches.
I’m still surprised to see Sheehan move so far away from his changeup, and the slider missed a ton upstairs while the curveball danced around for a remarkable 43% SwStr rate and 79% strikes. Not his best (as I’d shout in college watching an opposing pitcher’s first pick-off move), but we’ll take it. (View Game Card)
Kyle Leahy (STL) vs MIA (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 87 pitches.
Ayyyy, that’s a solid line with a 95 mph four-seamer at 7.3 feet of extension…and 2/28 whiffs. Oh. Yeaaaah, this has Blame it on the Marlins written all over it. I’d avoid against the Cubs. (View Game Card)
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) @ NYM (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 96 pitches.
A super weird outing as a predominant sinker/sweeper arm to both LHB and RHB, saving just 40% of his pitches for the four-seamer and changeup to split to right-handers. Whatever works, eh? No HRs! (View Game Card)
Ryan Rolison (CHC) @ MIL (ND) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 23 pitches.
This was a bullpen game for the injured Cubs rotation, with Bryse Wilson returning 4.1 IP of shutout ball, believe it or not. I don’t. Yeah, that’s a choice. Let’s move on. (View Game Card)
Tyler Phillips (MIA) @ STL (L) – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 97 pitches.
You’d think I’d be excited by this, but let’s be real. A HAISTBMBWT?! across 7.1 IP frames with these ratios is hilarious, especially with just 38% weak contact. Noooooope. (View Game Card)
Hunter Brown (HOU) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 103 pitches.
Solid. Not stellar, but we’re happy with this. I’m surprised to see his four-seamer as the weak link in the chain, with just 1/27 whiffs and a low 56% strike rate, but I loved the changeup stepping up in a huge way to LHB. We’re talking 74% strikes, 7/19 whiffs, and 29% usage as the curveball did little to no good. I’m skeptical the slowball will be this successful in the future, and I hope the four-seamer gets back to its level of dominance…at 97 mph. It’s not the most dominant offering when hovering 96 mph. (View Game Card)
Connor Prielipp (MIN) vs COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.
What. Is. UP. A Gallows Pole from Connor is a huge surprise and a product of his slider + curveball returning 27% SwStr each across more than 50% usage. Whoa, the curveball?! Yuuup. I dig the big hook’s two-plane movement at 82/83 mph and apparently so does he, and the changeup I’ve been waiting for doesn’t have to be that pitch if these breakers do the work for him. THAT SAID, it was Rockie Road and it’s the Yankees on Saturday. That could very well be a rude awakening and I’d be cautious running him out there without fear. It may be worthwhile holding for the Angels and Guardians the week after, though… (View Game Card)
Shane Bieber (TOR) vs TEX (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 92 pitches.
This was much better for his curveball, and nothing else. We’re getting closer, but if you’re debating between Bieber and a few other options, I can’t tell you he’ll take advatange of @TEA or the weak Padres lineup. His four-seamer is still lacking movement, and the slider is coming in slower than before. (View Game Card)
Kodai Senga (NYM) vs PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 80 pitches.
Kodai was opened for and had himself a lead before Schwarber launched a down-and-away 1-2 four-seamer over the fence for two runs. Otherwise, it was a day of his Ghost Fork making a haunting for the first time in a while, boasting a 26% SwStr rate near 30% usage, and his cutter did its part with many strikes. This is a better version of Senga, not his peak. I’m still out against Atlanta up next. (View Game Card)
Gavin Williams (CLE) vs SEA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 103 pitches.
The fastball isn’t coming with the 7.4 feet of extension we saw last time, but the 98 mph is still there and…he threw one to a RHB infavor of 39% sinkers instead. But he couldn’t command the four-seamer! The intent, y’all. IT’S ABOUT INTENT. I hope that after his sinker allowed four of his six hits on the day Gavin will shift back to his four-seamer focus (it’s a deadzone sinker!) and then it will be the success we’ve waited so long for him to have. (View Game Card)
Zack Littell (WSN) @ BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches.
Littell had himself a string of six Wins in five games from May 3rd to June 6th (I know, y’all. I. KNOW.) and it’s nice to see him get another dub. Can’t say there’s a whole lot to get amped about here, though. It’s the standard sliders and splitters over the plate, with more whiffs than usual on the heater. It’s a horrible schedule of PIT, NYY, @COL up next, so you should definitely avoid this. (View Game Card)
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs CIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 79 pitches.
A PQS with a dub is a great day for Keller fans. I’m happy for him, and sadly, like war, nothing changes. Why yes, I did just watch Fallout for the first time, how did you know? (View Game Card)
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs WSN (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 1 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 85 pitches.
Dude. We were just getting so amped. He still had his breaking ball velocity! It gives me some joy no joy okay a little joy no joy to say this when he’s facing the Nationals, but it doesn’t matter how hard you throw ball four. You gotta stop spiking those breakers, fella. I want to believe the feel will return overnight, but you know the deal by now. All we can do is hope. (View Game Card)
Aaron Civale (ATH) @ LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 90 pitches.
To his credit, this was a grand slam in the second frame and smooth sailing otherwise. To not his credit, this is a Wonka and he’s awfully prone to those, and this wasn’t even his home park of Sacré Verde. Noooope. (View Game Card)
Michael King (SDP) vs LAD (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
Can’t say I’m shocked. The approach was a little more apparent with low changeups and high heaters to LHB, but he’s a distance away from his prime self. Well, tomorrow is another ball game. It’s against the Dodgers again. Well, the day after tomorrow is another ball game. (View Game Card)
Luinder Avila (KCR) @ CHW (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 86 pitches.
Welp, the breakers weren’t there. He needs those like a dog needs pet. Go pet your dog. And Avila? You can pet him too, I guess. No, do we like him on our squads? Nah. He hasn’t finished six frames once in four games of 80+ pitches and I don’t see a path to overall consistent production. (View Game Card)
Anthony Kay (CHW) vs KCR (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 73 pitches.
No, this is not Okay. Yeah, he had two strikeouts, not zero. I gotta stop doing this bit. Simply put, the man was hittable. He didn’t have foundational pitches to lean on and it crumbled in front of him. The good news? It’s the Guardians up next, even if this should have been a decent play against the Royals. He’s still streamable. (View Game Card)
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ TBR (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 93 pitches.
Blegh. He’s off the Toby list, alright? You can move on. (View Game Card)
Brady Singer (CIN) @ PIT (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.
Singer has been on a roll, but the Pirates are a fantastic crew against RHP. He maintained the high-low pitch separation, but a bit too much with sub-10 % zone rates on both breakers to LHB. He earned a fair number of chases, but we want down and in town. The Orioles shouldn’t be as hard of a matchup up next and with these whiffs, Singer is still a considerable play in 15-teamers. (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Nick Lodolo vs. Robert Gasser – Two southpaws I have my eye on.
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 Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
