Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: FreeLand Rover

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 Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.

Kyle Freeland (COL) @ CIN (W) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 93 pitches.

I gotta talk about Kyle Freeland and how he bullied the Reds to earn a Gold Star via 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 93 pitches in Cin City. The man went 37% curveballs for a whopping 50% CSW and 10/34 whiffs (wow, look at that movement outside of Colorado!) and it bolstered his spectacular return from the IL to a 1.71 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 20% strikeout rate in 26.1 IP across his last four games. Yeah.

The biggest note: All of the offenses have been blegh – Nationals, White Sox, Royals, Reds – with only two at home. Still, Freeland is displaying a legit curve and command that makes him as intriguing as ever. After all, he hadn’t fanned more than five batters in any game this season prior to Wednesday’s effort.

I’m not suggesting that Freeland is an add, but if you want to Vargas Rule this, I don’t blame you. Just be cautious about letting him fly in Coors against the Giants and Red Sox if he leads the crew after the break. Maybe see if the curveball can be this good first or save him for a road trip.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Tobias Myers (MIL) vs PIT (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 103 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! He’s been on a fantastic stretch and the Pirates aren’t the toughest offense, making this a decent play to just see how it goes. I absolutely loved the slider command here and I’m starting to believe there’s something real here. Give it a shot and see how long it lasts.

Shota Imanaga (CHC) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 100 pitches.

There he stood. Orioles, folded beneath him in the batter’s box, dizzy from their emphatic swings that only caught air. The lights shone down on Shōta as his head lifted from its shell under his hat. His eyes glistened as they met the silence of Baltimore. He inhaled slowly, shoulders rising with his chest before declaring to his captivated audience. I’M! AN! AGA!

Bryce Miller (SEA) @ SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 80 pitches.

It’s pretty hilarious to me how simple this is. Miller’s four-seamer has all the things you want (save for extension, but whatever) – he even locates the thing super well upstairs. But when a team like the Padres are prepared for it, they’ll swing over 60% of the time and allow just four whiffs. Four! If only they had something proper to keep them honest…But the splitter! Roughly 50% strikes and just two whiffs. But hey, that four-seamer is still really hard to hit and he spotted it well. We’re happy with this, even with a HAISTBMBWT?!

Erick Fedde (CHW) vs MIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.

We saw a proper Canibal McSanchez approach from Fedde and honestly, not a whole lot else. Sure, sinkers over the plate, sweepers and changeups mostly out of the zone appropriately, but this was the cutter game and it worked. We’re rolling and rolling.

Framber Valdez (HOU) vs MIA (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 95 pitches.

As my On The Corner Podcast host put it, Sometimes you just need to see the ball go through the hoop. The Marlins are the perfect team for that and Valdez certainly capitalized with a King Cole. The curveball was glorious, flirting with a 50% CSW, while the slider was thrown fourteen times and–WAIT. THE SLIDER?! YESSSSSSS. It wasn’t great, but I take this as a day for Valdez to experiment with the pitch and I sure it makes a proper return. He needs that thing as the curve/change hasn’t been as consistent as ideal. Here’s to hoping he escapes the Cherry Bomb tag in the second half.

Zach Eflin (TBR) vs NYY (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 103 pitches.

It’s great seeing a productive Eflin, who nailed his sinker downstairs all day for fourteen called strikes. The Loss hurts and we move on to tomorrow.

Michael King (SDP) vs SEA (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.

The King without a crown. He has a few cavities. BRAD. PLEASE. Everything is cooking and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s coronated in the second half. Think prime Nola type.

JP Sears (OAK) @ BOS (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 114 pitches.

If only Sears could return ten whiffs on an elevated four-seamer every game. Maybe next time he’ll let us know when he’s planning to earn a Gallows Pole, too. A man can dream. He’s a Cherry Bomb and I’m glad we got to see one of the sweeter games. The sweeper has been a great addition this year, returning plenty of much needed strikes for the fastball to cook…when it can cook.

Marcus Stroman (NYY) @ TBR (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 84 pitches.

The man battled and hung in there for all of you. He’s a Toby and worth the effort in Quality Start leagues, but Wins leagues? I think you need to ask if the WHIP pain and lack of strikeouts bring you too far down.

Luis Severino (NYM) vs WSN (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.

He’s really feeling his sweeper as it went 48% CSW in this one and I’m glad he came out with a Win (thanks Corbin!). He’s a streaming option, not a definat Toby in my book given the sweeper/sinker approach that is just meh to me. But the 48% CSW! A rarity, y’all. You know that.

Drew Thorpe (CHW) vs MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 76 pitches.

This was a game without Thorpe’s changeup working per usual and we saw him adapt with heavy cutter usage. I’m a fan of it – his heater is not something to throw often – and even with a HAISTBMBWT?! this was a great outing. It’s important for Thorpe to establish how to survive when the changeup isn’t its best.

Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs LAD (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.

Phew. We’re starting Sánchez regularly, but this one was a gamble given his cataclysmic start prior + the Dodgers n all. Pretty cool to see him lean into arm-side sinkers instead of setting up camp glove-side, which makes so much sense given the mirror of his changeup and how sinkers are supposed to be – focus on arm-side and life is good. Or at least better.

Pablo López (MIN) @ CHW (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.

The changeup wasn’t as deadly as we’ve seen as the pitch was lofted and easily fouled off plenty, but the sweeper is still excellent and the heater wasn’t punished as it found the zone – in fact, it returned 9/37 whiffs on its own. The slowball is the pitch I have the most faith in and we’re still moving in the right direction. 18 whiffs are 18 whiffs, after all.

Griffin Canning (LAA) vs TEX (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 78 pitches.

Changeups and sliders were still down and it was a standard Canning affair, with the slider going ham at 48% CSW. The Rangers are kinda good again, though, and so it goes. This wasn’t the place to stream him, anyway.

Alec Marsh (KCR) @ STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 101 pitches.

Two home runs were the only blemish on a day where Marsh cruised with his breaking balls. His slider was ferocious down-and-away with a few hooks as well, while fastballs earned a few whiffs along the edges as well. It’s good to see him have that slider feel again and with the ASB ahead, we’re at the point where we don’t know his next opponent yet. We’ll see if he’s in the opening series against the White Sox (decent stream!) or the Twins (Ehhhhh).

Bailey Ober (MIN) @ CHW (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 84 pitches.

Three ER are a bit frustrating and I’ll blame the changeup being a little off and less of a focus as the heater and cutter were spectacular. He was wonderful, don’t let the Bailey Special line make you think he isn’t a different man.

Corbin Burnes (BAL) vs CHC (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 97 pitches.

Aces gonna give us a VPQS and reflect a bit. Burnes really doesn’t have the cutter of old. The pitch used to return upwards of a 17% SwStr rate, even a 13% post sticky-stuff. He fell under a 10% clip on the pitch yesterday and while the curve and slider are working, it does take him down a notch. If you consider Burnes’ cutter like a four-seamer, you can grasp how it doesn’t quite come together to a 25-30% strikeout these days. Not to say he’s not elite – the hit suppression (32% ICR overall!) + volume on a winning team is excellent – but he’s not that guy without that cutter of legend.

Reese Olson (DET) vs CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.

A classic Bailey Special here with a solid PQS and Win, though the strikeouts are a touch low after returning at least eight in three of his previous four. That’s the Guardians for you. The changeup + slider are still good + the fastball is delicately spotted to avoid damage. It’s the guy we want.

Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ SFG (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 99 pitches.

The sinkers were normal, everything else wasn’t. So it goes, at least you got a Win, and we keep on starting Bassitt. You know the drill.

Michael Wacha (KCR) @ STL (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 84 pitches.

Blegh. At least you still got a Win, but I expected more from Wacha after displaying his changeup + secondary (yes, everything else is secondary, including heaters) command prior. The changeup was still great though, and I expect him to get the White Sox the weekend after the break, which I’m obviously all for.

Slade Cecconi (ARI) vs ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 62 pitches.

Against Atlanta?! I’m shocked! Oh, wait. No, that’s pretty much expected. Carry on.

Gordon Graceffo (STL) vs KCR (L) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 38 pitches.

Nooooope. The heater isn’t special, the slider and curve is fine, and I’m not here for it.

Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ DET (L) – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 109 pitches.

We got some Dancing With The Disco here and that works decently well against the Tigers, but that curve was not consistent and I’m back to wishing Bibee was the command guy we want him to be. A 50% CSW with just one ball in play is ridiculous for so many sliders over the plate, it’s just that he needs something else to also dominate for him to make this a great ratio play instead of a Dusty Donut. Thanks for the strikeouts, of course.

Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs OAK (L) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 105 pitches.

Lol. Remember when Pivetta was struggling and only had a fastball and curve? Pivetta found his whirlybird slider here and couldn’t stop pulling the lever for more dopamine-infused pellets. We’re talking 13/42 whiffs on sweepers at 43% CSW, but unfortunately a tough third frame led to a trio of runs + a Careful, Icarus as he failed to escape the seventh led to the loss. Womp womp. Be happy the sweeper is cooking, I just wish he could have earned more than 1/36 four-seamer whiffs and tossed more than three cutters. Is it so much to ask for the best version of Pivetta in the second half?

Andre Pallante (STL) vs KCR (L) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 101 pitches.

He nearly got the PQS but allowed a solo shot in the sixth and that’s your ballgame. Better sliders from Pallante this time around, which does make me somewhat encouraged that he can become a decent streamer over time.

Charlie Morton (ATL) @ ARI (ND) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 96 pitches.

Even with a beautifully located curveball, he didn’t have enough to avoid a Careful, Icarus in the seventh, turning a PQS into a poor ERA effort. So it goes, you should be glad the WHIP was manageable with a handful of strikeouts. I want to repeat with Morton: You really don’t need to roster him. The Wins aren’t as high as you want + the ratio volatility hurts.

Patrick Corbin (WSN) @ NYM (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 73 pitches.

Oh look, it’s Corbin going sinker/slider and expecting this to not be a fantasy irrelevant start. Oh yes, such wonder.

Gavin Stone (LAD) @ PHI (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 77 pitches.

Velocity was up over a tick, but the changeup didn’t overwhelm and he got Singled Out by the Phillies. You know, one of the elite offenses in the bigs. Don’t react strongly here and keep the course – the Dodgers desperately need Stone.

Bryan Hoeing (MIA) @ HOU (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 62 pitches.

The classic expression of modern baseball: The Bullpen Game. I’m your host, Bryan Hoeing, and welcome to The Pen. Tonight’s top story: Why can’t I earn any whiffs?

Frankie Montas (CIN) vs COL (L) – 7.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 101 pitches.

Not even 11/28 splitter whiffs could save Montas here. Ahhhh, so that explains the whiff rate. He also was 1-2 ticks higher on the heater and pulled off a decent BSB. Alas, he still can’t be trusted, even when he’s at his peak against Rockie Road. Sigh.

Michael Lorenzen (TEX) @ LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.

Womp womp. An atypical start for Lorenzen, who didn’t go Dancing With The Disco and failed to earn the strikes on secondaries that he normally gets. So it goes, it’s why Lorenzen isn’t a must-add for your fantasy teams. Still consider him as a streamer moving forward.

Martín Pérez (PIT) @ MIL (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 107 pitches.

Blegh. The command needs to be better for Pérez to survive against the Brewers and establish a Vargas Rule in the second half. I hope we see it.

Logan Webb (SFG) vs TOR (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 86 pitches.

Huh. Pretty weird to see just sixteen changeups from Webb, allowing just one hit on the pitch – a home run well out of the zone at the ankles. Everything else was sweepers or sinkers in y-mLoc and yeah, you’re gonna allow hits and runs if you keep throwing pitches middle-height. Whatareyagonnado.

 

Game of the Day

 

Nestor Cortes vs. Shane Baz – I really just want to get another look at Baz.

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

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