Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday 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.
Chris Sale (BOS) @ TB (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 78 pitches.
It’s always wonderful when we see legit starters make their long-awaited return from the 60-Day IL and we had a pleasant one today with Chris Sale posting 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 78 pitches against the Rays. His fastball sat 95 mph — not the 93.5 of 2021 — and his slider earned free real estate galore with 10 called strikes and a 43% CSW.
This is all to say that I’m awfully encouraged by this return. Sure, it was just four whiffs, and the Rays were able to put wood on more out-of-zone sliders and changeups than I’d like to see moving forward, but I was expecting a worse breaker or a softer heater or maybe something akin to the five walks he had in his final rehab start. Getting five frames of production from an 80-pitch limit is glorious and I hope we see that same velocity with more than two slider whiffs next time out. He could be the second-half savior you were hoping for and I wouldn’t rule out starting him against the Yankees over the weekend.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs CIN (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 113 pitches.
Speaking of the Yankees, Cole saw that I moved him to #3 on The List and did something about it. Aces gonna ace, alright. Mmmmmm.
Logan Webb (SF) vs ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 91 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. The changeup and slider were filthy as the sinker did its thang in the zone. After a rough start to the year, it’s a 2.82 ERA now as he’s also raised that strikeout rate and I sure hope it sticks. It feels like it will at this point with his slider and changeup returning to form, making my spring self look foolish for ever doubting it. It’s a welcome sight, for sure.
Dylan Cease (CWS) @ CLE (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 106 pitches.
Aces gonna ace…even with the poor WHIP rearing its ugly head, once again. It’s what prevents him from sniffing the Top 10 as it’s 1/4 of his fantasy value (no saves, after all), but hot dang that slider is unreal: Its 19-whiff tally tied the third-highest among a single pitch type all season, first among sliders. If only the fastball or curve were just a bit better, you know?
Jordan Hicks (STL) vs LAD (ND) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 38 pitches.
The Cardinals allowed Hicks to “start” again in this bullpen game and it really isn’t worth your time. You have better things to do, like watching more Sandy Alcantara. Go and do that instead.
Shane Bieber (CLE) vs CWS (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 95 pitches.
Oh dang. Aces gonna ace. I’m glad Bieber gave us a start like this after I was forced to lower him on The List this past week. He sat 91 mph on the heater as it earned 10/23 called strikes, and the slider did the rest at 34% CSW. You love to see it and we’re all excited to spin the wheel again later this week with the Tigers.
Austin Gomber (COL) vs SD (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 100 pitches.
Completely didn’t expect this, but it’s still not that great. His pitches were, um, fine? When Gomber normally succeeds, it’s usually with his curve or slider overwhelming batters but neither eclipsed 27% CSW here. I’m still very much out.
Luis Garcia (HOU) @ LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.
Solid rebound from Garcia, but hard to expect otherwise given the sad state of the Angels. He didn’t even have his best stuff in this one and I wonder if the ASB will give him some much needed rest after he dealt with fatigue last fall. I’m here for it.
Spencer Strider (ATL) vs NYM (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 103 pitches.
If only he could have gotten that final out for the Win, it would help with the Dusty Donut of dealing with that WHIP. His slider went just 50% strikes and with his four-seamer doing alright at 63% strikes, it wasn’t quite enough to nullify the lack of dependable breaker. What about the changeup? 4/8 strikes as it’s just happy you remembered it exists. This is a thing with Strider and while I’m stoked he recorded 8/11 outs via way of the K, the volatility is still present. I think a third pitch that he can throw for strikes consistently would go a loooong way to keep those walks down — even just a curve or cutter to flip in there from time to time would do wonders. Something to think about for 2023.
Chris Stratton (PIT) @ MIA (ND) – 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 31 pitches.
The Pirates went bullpen game here (what was it about Tuesday that equated to bullpen games for so many teams?!) and elected to keep Roansy Contreras in the minors until past the break. Bummer.
Jordan Lyles (BAL) @ CHC (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 101 pitches.
Lyles, you wonderful man, YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN. Can you please keep playing teams like the Angels and Cubs? Oh, it’s the Rays next? Ehhhhh I don’t think I’m in on that. These were good times, though. Good times.
Corey Kluber (TB) vs BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
Huge props to Kluber here. Maybe I should have given him more credit for his previous outing against the Sawx as his hook did legit work at 59% CSW + he rocked an effective changeup and decent cutter. He gets the Orioles on Sunday before the break and that seems awfully fine to me — it may be rough staving of their 13th Win in a row though. I kid, I kid…unless?
David Peterson (NYM) @ ATL (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 105 pitches.
Jeeeeez, is Peterson really a thing? He rebounded incredibly well after his first start back from his child being born, boasting 10/46 slider whiffs here and 33% CSW on the heater. And now he gets the Cubs? Yeah, okay, I’m in. You got me Peterson, you win this time. But he got the Loss. NOT WHAT I MEANT.
Jason Alexander (MIL) @ MIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 73 pitches.
It should tell you a lot that this HAISTBMBWT?! was one of the best outings he’s had all year.
Andrew Bellatti (PHI) @ TOR (ND) – 1.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 19 pitches.
This was mostly a bullpen game, with Mark Appel (yeah, that guy!) going for three innings after. He tossed 95 mph sinkers with a decent slider, but nothing you should take note of.
Beau Brieske (DET) @ KC (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 79 pitches.
I imagine those trusting Beau are happy with a PQS, even if it’s against the Royals. I feel like he’s just a Toby at best and this is too dang boring for me to lean on in any reasonable way, but there’s worse out there.
José Berríos (TOR) vs PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 13 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 46% CSW, 94 pitches.
HE IS THE GREAT UNDULATOR. Sure, the Phils were without Bohm, Realmuto, and Harper, but that’s a Golden Goal and one of the highest CSW marks we’ve seen all year…so of course it was a PQS. His curveball was — get this — 61% CSW across 31 thrown, if there was any wonder if he had the breaker working. And now he gets the Royals? Yeah, let’s make that four straight solid outings, please. K thx.
Kris Bubic (KC) vs DET (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 99 pitches.
Hmmmm. The command wasn’t there and the heater was closer to 91 mph than 92…Yeah, still a Frozen Banana. One that’s left in the freezer only because I don’t know when I’m taking out the trash and I gotta keep the flies away. Poor thing.
Adrian Sampson (CHC) vs BAL (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
He was fresh off his best-looking outing of the year and didn’t carry much of the same excitement, even if his sinker returned 35% CSW. Pretty easy to turn down off-brand Homer.
Daniel Castano (MIA) vs PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 64 pitches.
Weird he got pulled at just 64 pitches as he worked his cutter/slider approach once again to decent success…? I dunno, y’all know I don’t want to go after this. Cast(ano) your love in another direction.
James Kaprielian (OAK) @ TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 70 pitches.
The Rangers were the common foe for Kap last season, for whatever reason, and it looks like the rivalry of the hammer beating the nail continues. He’ll likely get the Astros next so any possible interest you had should be eradicated. Like my dreams of being an art student at NYU…Dude, you’re 43 and work in finance. A MAN CAN STILL DREAM. Is this because I didn’t come to your sip and draw on the roof last Wednesday? IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LOVELY TO HAVE YOU THERE.
Konnor Pilkington (CLE) vs CWS (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.
You want a shrug? There’s a shrug. Enjoy it, forget it, I don’t care. This start simply was.
Graham Ashcraft (CIN) @ NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 106 pitches.
I mean, he had to deal with the Yankees, and just three earned runs in five ain’t that bad. I don’t think the Cards will be too much better on Sunday, sadly, but hey, it could happen. And no, the sinker still wasn’t a major factor at just 13 thrown. Weird, I know.
Noah Syndergaard (LAA) vs HOU (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 80 pitches.
Yeaaaaaah, Syndergaard isn’t the kind of pitcher you start against the Astros. His changeup has been his best offering this year and returned just 1/14 CSW with only six strikes. Yikes. I’m not saying you shouldn’t roster Thor, just be a little selective with his starts is all.
Davis Martin (CWS) @ CLE (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.
I didn’t expect six frames from Martin, but I certainly expected to see a fantasy line that made no one happy. There’s some intrigue in that slider (32% CSW, 7 whiffs), but the whole package needs a whole lot more polish. This is why I don’t trust people with two first names.
Mike Clevinger (SD) @ COL (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
He was a Do Not Start as this one was in Coors and, welp, it didn’t work out. The slider returned just 3/18 CSW as his velocity dipped to 93.6 mph. I may be too high on Clev and holding on too much to the idea that he can return to 95 mph on his heater + a 20% SwStr rate on the slider, but I assure you he won’t have to deal with Coors on a regular basis. He’s still worthwhile in 12-teamers, of course.
Glenn Otto (TEX) vs OAK (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 62 pitches.
The slider was plenty better here, but the rest was not. We’re not there yet. AGAIN! Start him again? No, like practice again. You know, martial arts n Hiya! n whatnot. Please don’t start him.
Josh Winder (MIN) vs MIL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.
Blegh. There may be something there if he gets more time on the hill, but he’s still just a Frozen Banana for now. Let him wind up some more in this jack-in-the-box.
Mitch White (LAD) @ STL (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 90 pitches.
Womp womp. I kinda dig White’s slider…normally. It wasn’t very good here, his curve was worse, and it meant he had to rely on his super hittable heater. Soooo yeah, not great. The Dodgers will likely add an arm at the deadline & push White as far back as they can post All-Star-Break, so we may not see much more of him in the rotation moving forward.
Dallas Keuchel (ARI) @ SF (L) – 2.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 62 pitches.
Ewwww. Come to think of it, it’s pretty funny a man named Dallas has us Ewwwing all the time. You didn’t just make that joke. SURE DID. That’s for the older readers, thanks for being here.
Game of the Day
Cristian Javier vs. Shohei Ohtani – I feel like Javier will light up the scoreboard while Ohtani works his magic.
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 Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)