Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Keeper Kut

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 10 am-12 pm ET.  

Kutter Crawford (BOS) @ CHC (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 89 pitches.

If you’re been paying attention to my notes on Kutter Crawford, you may see today’s brilliant 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 89 pitches line against the Cubs today – King Cole and all – and look back at me, hoping to share in joy and wonder. Unfortunately, what you’re going to get back is a look of hesitation.

WHAT?! Yeah, I’m sad too. His heater sat 1.5 ticks down in this one and he had highly questionable command of the pitch. Yes, he generally sat upstairs with it, but he rarely hit spots he wanted to hit and it was frustrating to watch. Meanwhile, I was hoping for a major push forward with his sweeper, and while the pitch did go 6/8 whiffs (that’s kinda ridiculous), it wasn’t a pitch he wielded and dominated with.

I want to like all of this more. The curve was there, too, with 4/10 called strikes, and the kutter was arguably his most important pitch as he did a good job of nailing it down and gloveside. This sounds great on paper, it really does. But those four walks (and a HBP, too) gave a glimpse of the chaos I felt watching those innings. Crawford isn’t there yet and with a worse fastball, I’m worried this outing was a trap play. If you want to gamble against the Mets in his next outing, I won’t demand you stop and reconsider, but I’m not ready to jump in yet.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs MIA (W) – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 100 pitches.

Come on Nick, give this guy some love already! Well, I dig the 40%+ CSW on his sinker in this one, paired with a curve that packed a ton of strikes, and a 30% CSW slider, even if it returned sub 55% strikes despite being his most thrown offering. I still have my doubts about Bradish’s sustainability with his fastballs relying a bit too much on called strikes and his breakers being a volatile pair, and I especially dislike his date with Tampa Bay up next. But hey, he’s been absolutely money with just 6 ER now across his last six starts. There’s gotta be something I’m missing here, right? Suitman whispers in my ear. His slider is 99th percentile PLV?! Well hot dang, maybe that’s all there is to it.

Max Scherzer (NYM) vs LAD (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 97 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. As long as Scherzer is healthy, you start him.

Bryce Miller (SEA) vs DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 70 pitches.

We knew Bryce would be on a pitch count and I’m happy to report that he had a fantastic 70% strike rate on the slider while his heater did great things at 34% CSW. All is good here, except for a start around 80 pitches or so is likely as he gets the Jays. Don’t love that all around.

Chase Anderson (COL) vs NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 85 pitches.

Yeah, that’s a Gold Star and as I lean into to place it on his shoulder, I whisper gently HAISTBMBWT?! before standing upright with a false, duplicitous smile. Congrats on the star, you butter-hoarding rascal.

Gerrit Cole (NYY) @ COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 102 pitches.

Start your studs, even in Coors. That’s a Gallows Pole for Cole as dominated with his fastballs, sliders, and curves. It’s what you want.

Dylan Cease (CWS) @ ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 99 pitches.

Whoaaaaa, Cease came out firing with his fastball, sitting 1.4 ticks harder, nearly at 97 mph after being a 95/96 mph guy all year. It propelled the pitch to 10/43 whiffs, while the slider did its best to keep up at 33% CSW and 7/40 whiffs. Ummmm yes, I’ll take this version of Cease ALL DAY. The fact it came against Atlanta is the only reason why it wasn’t more of a monstrous outing. I really hope that fastball sticks around.

Bobby Miller (LAD) @ NYM (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 77 pitches.

Bobby 100 was actually just 98 and change in this one as he was pulled early with a knee injury. Apparently he’s okay and could make his next start, while I’m all kinds of upset since we finally saw his curveball get a ton of strikes again. 11/16 strikes! That’s nearly 70%! Give me the normal velocity, that curve strike rate, and sliders that fall down and gloveside, and you have yourself an ace. No joke.

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs ARI (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 89 pitches.

Hmmmm. Kikuchi sported a new curve with three fewer ticks of velocity in exchange for a bigger vertical break and the pitch went 1/11 CSW with just 22% strikes. Sigh. Why can’t we have nice things? At least the slider was great and the four-seamer did whatever it could, but without the hook, Kikuchi didn’t pack quite enough punch. Always have a few extra packs of Hi-C, just in case. The Mariners are on deck and I think we can go for that one, hoping this new curve does a bit more.

Ben Lively (CIN) vs MIL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 57 pitches.

He left this one early with cramping, but even if he makes his next start, I’m not chasing Lively. No dope slider, no dope endorsement from Nick. To be fair, it was a solid slider, and had he gotten more pitches, he may have flirted with ten whiffs. Not dope enough. NEXT.

Alex Wood (SF) @ PIT (ND) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 67 pitches.

Ah, so you wanted to be super inefficient and get pulled in the fourth frame. Totally get it, you do you Wood, we won’t get in the way again. Absolutely not.

Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs HOU (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.

Anderson needed 85 pitches for nine outs. Is that what we call a Baddux? Nah, it’s just disappointment, even with eight whiffs from his changeup and an additional tick on his heater. Efficiency is everything.

Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ TEX (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 98 pitches.

I love that he survived the Rangers with a good slider and a fastball that stayed vertical. I still question if the repertoire is consistent enough for us to rely on him for a productive second half, or if he’s destined for the Cherry Bomb label. I’d be so deflated giving him that Boy Scouts badge. Those are BADGES?! Sure, why not.

Reese Olson (DET) @ SEA (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 75 pitches.

Yep, this works. The slider was the pitch of the night for Olson, racking up nine whiffs and a 45% CSW across 31 thrown and you love to see it. I wish the changeup was more of a threat, and his fastball command left a bit to desired, but the slider was just that good. It’s the Padres + Angels up next and that’s a bit tough given the sole elite pitch in Olson’s arsenal. Questionable starts for both.

Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs SD (ND) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 101 pitches.

All five hits came off breakers. That’s how good the heaters are and how frustrating it is for me to watch Wheeler. Those pitches aren’t as refined as we need them to be, but the fastballs are just soooo good. He has to get better, right? Nick, that’s a great WHIP with seven strikeouts and a decent ERA. Yeah yeah yeah, but he could be a CGSHO guy again. IT’S THERE.

JP Sears (OAK) vs MIN (ND) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 90 pitches.

Whoa, Sears leaned into sliders and changeups down a ton and they came through in a big way. I absolutely dig those secondaries if he can keep them down and hope it continues moving forward. Really wish it weren’t the Astros next…

Jack Flaherty (STL) vs WSH (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 92 pitches.

That’s a Dusty Donut with an extra earned run than you want. The fastball was at 93 and he executed the BSB surprisingly well, though the slider didn’t have far as good results as I expected it would. No matter, I’m starting him against the Cubs and even the Diamondbacks, especially with a hint of legit command as he did here.

Adrian Houser (MIL) @ CIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.

Meh, It’s a Philly and not a whole lot to show for it. And I feel like this was Houser on a decent night…? Yeah, best if we stay away from the haunted Houser.

Joe Ryan (MIN) @ OAK (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.

Blegh. The fastball and splitter command was good, but the splitter held a sub 20% CSW and the sweeper still has work to do. Come on Joe, don’t make me remove the AGA label…

Cristian Javier (HOU) @ LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.

Okay, I guess we’ll take it. Javier didn’t take a step forward with his skills, but if it weren’t for a Moustakas longball on a solid heater upstairs, we’d be a whole lot happier with the result. I still question if Javier can get his fastball back to the same level, while the slider can’t be a 53% strike rate if he wants to succeed. That pitch held a strike rate ten ticks higher last year.

Martín Pérez (TEX) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 86 pitches.

Blegh. Get that changeup down and stop making mistakes with the sinker. This ain’t it.

Tommy Henry (ARI) @ TOR (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 81 pitches.

I still don’t understand why Henry has suddenly shelved his slider, with fewer than 10 thrown in this and last start. It’s not like anything else was all that great instead. Welp, until I see that pitch make a major return, I’m out on Henry. Oh, Tommy.

Osvaldo Bido (PIT) vs SF (ND) – 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 64 pitches.

It’s a bit too risky to chase Bido these days and he may not even have a starting spot anymore with Priester making his debut on Monday. Let’s move on.

Steven Okert (MIA) @ BAL (L) – 0.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 18 pitches.

Bullpen games are like the wind. Most come and go without you noticing, and you only notice it when there’s a problem.

Brady Singer (KC) vs TB (W) – 8.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 92 pitches.

Singer tossed seven shutout frames before a solo shot, then two singles and another home run for all four of his runs in this Careful, Icarus. What a weird game. Anyway, don’t start Singer, he’s too volatile, even if this was seven shutout frames to begin with.

Josiah Gray (WSH) @ STL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 95 pitches.

Please stop trusting Gray for your fantasy squads. If he’s ever going to be a must-add in 12-teamers, there are multiple steps left for him to take.

Kolby Allard (ATL) vs CWS (L) – 1.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 37 pitches.

Allard left this one with shoulder tightness and all I can say is that I feel for him. This was a new chance to establish himself in a rotation and it looks like the end of the line once again.

Seth Lugo (SD) @ PHI (ND) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 92 pitches.

Ouch. It was quite a fall from 18 whiffs and the Phils got to him and mostly his low curveball. I still dig what Lugo brings to the table, but maybe I need to bake in this floor a little more into his rank.

Zach Eflin (TB) @ KC (L) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 46 pitches.

This is just absurd. Eflin was Singled Out by the Royals and I really don’t get it. They laced some decent pitches and Eflin couldn’t catch a break. Whatareayagonnado. Nothing changes in my book, just a One Night Bland.

Justin Steele (CHC) vs BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 82 pitches.

It’s pretty shocking to see this line on a night where Steele held a 21% overall SwStr rate (ten fastball whiffs, seven on the slider). Sure, his heaters were a little more over the plate than usual, but ten hits?! Really?! Yeaaaah, we’re gonna brush this one off and continue to start Steele.

 

Game of the Day

 

Grayson Rodriguez’s Return & Quinn Priester’s MLB Debut – Okay, two separate games, but they are two rookies, each with a major start on Monday.

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

Have Questions? – Join my morning Twitch livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.

Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)