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 weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.
Jake Odorizzi (HOU) @ OAK (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.
Soooo remember when Jake Odorizzi was a thing? It appears as if he’s doing it again after going 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches against the Athletics on Sunday.
“Appears” is the key word there. When I see an Odorizzi start, there’s one major factor that matters: Is he painting the top of the zone red? It’s Odorizzi’s signature design, and believable success is rooted in his ability to so, hopefully with cutters, sliders, curveballs, or splitters filling in the gaps down.
This start…didn’t really have that. Sure, there’s a smattering of red, but not where you want it to be. But Nick, are you saying this isn’t real?! HE EARNED SEVEN STRIKEOUTS! He sure did. Against the Athletics. But he gets them again! Well that’s…okay fine. You can start him there if you like, I’m here to say that’s not a lock of a start and Odorizzi isn’t doing old Odorizzi things. Proceed with caution.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Taijuan Walker (NYM) vs MIA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 99 pitches.
This is one h*ck of a run for Walker as his heater carried him in this one + a 68% strike rate on splitters made for a solid supporting cast. The Cubs are next and why wouldn’t he continue his season-long 2.63 ERA there? Unreal. Just keep in mind, he did something similar last year and it fell apart. Taijuan is sure to come down to Earth in some way in the second half.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ NYM (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 93 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Are you trying to stop Sandy? Why? YOU CAN’T STOP THE SANDY MAN. This was far from the best we’ve seen him — his changeup floated, his heaters weren’t as precise, and the slider was a bit erratic — but he still found a way to give you glorious ratios. What. A. STUD.
Alex Wood (SF) @ SD (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 83 pitches.
I wa so tempted to make Alex the featured pitcher today and call it “Identifying Wood” after one of my favorite images on the internet. He earned a Golden Goal today with this brilliant effort against the Padres, a team where a commenter did a solid job pointing out that I’ve overvalued against left-handed pitching. Wood had his slider ON for the first time in a while, earning 41% CSW as the heaters matched the mark up in the zone. I dig this y’all, though it’s unclear if it’ll stick as he gets the Brewers next. That’s not a lock but I’m awfully encouraged after this.
Tyler Gilbert (ARI) vs COL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 81 pitches.
That’s a HAISTBMBWT?! against Rockie Road. I guess that’s a successful day at the park, but y’all know not to trust Gilbert.
Zack Greinke (KC) vs CLE (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
Greinke won in the battle of the properly spelled “Zac[h/k]”, and funny to do so when he recorded the most Ks of the year. I’m glad this worked, I wouldn’t expect it to repeat against the Jays.
Max Castillo (TOR) @ SEA (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 59 pitches.
With Gausman pushed back, Castillo took the pearl and did decently well. We could see him again on Saturday against the Royals, but he’s clearly not stretched out so don’t touch that one.
Nick Nelson (PHI) @ STL (ND) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 42 pitches.
Twas the night of a bullpen game and all through the park, no one was happy, not even Chan Ho…Park. But Nick, never go full Nelson! Really? He has a pretty sweet repertoire and I kinda hope the Phils move him to the rotation with his 96/97 heater, wicked slider, and solid change. Just saying.
Germán Márquez (COL) @ ARI (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 101 pitches.
AHA! The one start I’d consider Márquez actually worked out as he was on the road and against the Sneks. Don’t get any wild thoughts hosting Pittsburgh on Friday, though.
Cole Irvin (OAK) vs HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 81 pitches.
Props to Irvin here, who had BABIP on his side, getting 16/18 outs in the field against the Astros. Good luck trying to do it a second time on Saturday.
Drew Hutchison (DET) @ CWS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.
More like STARTsky & Hutch, am I right? I’m so sorry for that, and I doubt many of you actually trusted Hutchison in your lineup today, and I’m skeptical this will stick. I like his high-heater intent, but is the slider anything special? And is that heater actually good even with that location? I’m not buying it.
Ian Anderson (ATL) vs WSH (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
One of the many co-winners of the Gallows Pole today, Anderson survived like he did back in 2020. The changeup did all the work, the heater kinda stayed elevated, and his curve was all over the place. He’s not there yet.
Michael Kopech (CWS) vs DET (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 82 pitches.
Ummmmm he sat 92.9 mph on his heater today. That’s three ticks down from his season average. YEP. I wonder if the White Sox will let him rest through the ASB instead of starting him Friday against the Twins as he clearly needs help right now. This is scary.
Austin Voth (BAL) vs LAA (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 76 pitches.
Whoa, this worked! I certainly didn’t touch it and it’s a whole lot of Blame it on the Angels, but props to his four-seamer earning 8/35 whiffs I guess? Sure, because his curve and cutter hovered a 50% strike rate and that’s not it. This may be the last we see of Voth as the Orioles could axe the six-man once the ASB ends. That’s fine with me, this start wasn’t a Voth of confidence the line suggests.
Eric Lauer (MIL) vs PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 102 pitches.
So he went from 21 whiffs to just five on his four-seamer as his command of the pitch (and everything, really) was “hey, let’s throw this down the middle, for the most part.” I’m glad it still resulted in seven strikeouts despite that, but it’s a step back in my view. He has a challenge against the Giants next that I’m not sure he’s ready for. I’m not thrilled about it, but I won’t rule it out — he could have that command in a blink and dominate once again.
Paolo Espino (WSH) @ ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 65 pitches.
Espino’s slider + curveball returned 11/37 whiffs here and it makes me wonder if he can be a rare streamer once he’s up to 80+ pitches. Something to not forget about in August.
Andre Pallante (STL) vs PHI (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 100 pitches.
He served a Philly, narrowly missing a VVPQS. Not exactly great, y’all. Andre Aghastly? Andre the giant question mark? Andre the…you get the idea.
Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs TB (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 103 pitches.
I’m still digging this pitch separation from Lodolo as he elevates sinkers and does his best to keep his secondaries down. There’s still a bit of efficiency missing as he needs to spot those curves and changeups better, but I dig this y’all. Grab Lodolo if you still can.
Zach Plesac (CLE) @ KC (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.
Plesac’s slider was legit + his changeup still had a high strike rate. Those two factors have carried him through this hot stretch and I’d expect more of the same against the Tigers on Friday. Enjoy the share of the Gallows Pole, Zach.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 99 pitches.
He was given a challenge facing the Jays and this isn’t nearly as bad it could have been. The curve did earn some whiffs on the curveball (4/18) but this is really more of the same. He gets the Rangers next and that’s all good with us.
Dylan Bundy (MIN) @ TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 77 pitches.
He had been on a great run, but I think we all expected it to come to end in the near future. Why couldn’t it be after this cushy start? But the Rangers are kinda heating up. NOT NOW. I think I’d pass against the White Sox next time out — I don’t love this 50% fastball approach with just 14% sliders.
José Quintana (PIT) @ MIL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 80 pitches.
Ah dangit. I was hoping Quintana would carry the same command we’ve seen over the last month or so and the fastball crept down + the changeup floated up. Blegh. And now it’s Coors soooo yeah. See ya in August if you’re lucky, Quintana.
José Suarez (LAA) @ BAL (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 52 pitches.
This was a Sunday streaming option and it just didn’t go his way. His heaters were poor, his curve was all over the place, and Suarez was not the man we sought. I guess we’re non-Suárez now.
Dane Dunning (TEX) vs MIN (ND) – 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 66 pitches.
Dunning isn’t worth your consideration against the Twins. Y’all knew this.
Drew Smyly (CHC) @ LAD (ND) – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 56 pitches.
Yuuuuup. You don’t need me.
Julio Urías (LAD) vs CHC (ND) – 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 59 pitches.
Huh. I wanted to wait one more start for his AGA label, assuming he’d get it here. Wow, I’m happy I did. He had a horrid first frame and got pulled early as the pitch count soared. Not much more I can say but start him against the Angels and hope for better days.
Shane Baz (TB) @ CIN (L) – 2.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 53 pitches.
Okay, got a minute? I need to articulate this third inning for Baz. Single, 2-run shot for India on a 1-2 slider that he hooked over the wall, a “triple” that was a single and a bad dive in the outfield, a grounder to first where they have Pham between third and home that they throw away, a 2-run shot for Stephenson on a high 3-0 fastball, a single on an 0-0 curveball (NO FREE REAL ESTATE FOR YOU), and a 2-run shot for Moustakas on a neatly low 0-0 changeup that knocked him out of the game. Yeah, WHAT?! Was he tipping? It seemed like the Reds knew what he was throwing by the end of it + a lot of this didn’t go his way. I wouldn’t read into this start at all and would try to grab Baz from those who are terrified.
MacKenzie Gore (SD) vs SF (L) – 3.1 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
Rated-R: Gore. A pair of two-run shots + a disaster fourth did MacKenzie in here as his fastball velocity has fallen to 93.5 mph. He’s been sub 94 mph for the last five outings after sitting 95 and 96 mph prior. Not great, Bob. I imagine the break can do him some good, or, who knows, maybe the Padres rest him and let Nick Martinez get some starts in July/August, then bring MacKenzie back. We’ll see, all conjecture here and Gore could easily start again later this week and succeed against the Sneks.
Jameson Taillon (NYY) @ BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
Really odd to see Taillon go 76% four-seamers/sliders as someone who normally spreads the wealth across his six-pitch mix. He hasn’t been in a groove for a bit (he wasn’t able to produce against the A’s and Pirates, remember) and I’d feel awfully uneasy if I had to start him against the Red Sox a second time. He’s not there.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs NYY (ND) – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.
Ouch. He hung far too many curveballs, tossed a 2-0 heater down the middle to Stanton and upstairs 0-2 fastball to Carpenter that both left the yard, and there’s your ballgame. He’ll have to wrestle with the Bombers again soon and that seems too risky for me.
Game of the Day
Max Scherzer vs. Max Fried – I feel like this will be pitching TO THE MAX.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)