Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Friday 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.
Reese Olson (DET) @ TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
We’ve now seen three starts of Reese Olson since returning from the IL, and last night’s performance against the Rangers was his best yet: 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches (ND). I’ve been tepid across his return from the IL, but this one is different. This looked like his former self.
That eye test is rooted in his slider/changeup tandem to LHB that worked incredibly well. Watching 9/10 strikes on the breaker with a 40% CSW without a hit is glorious, while the changeup was good. Not great, but effective enough. The slowball sung against RHB, though, returning 5/10 whiffs under the sinker, which either leaked too far over the plate or missed wildly – 52% strikes and 21% NC Rate. This wasn’t the most overwhelming outing, but it was a pitcher leaning on his secondaries, while saving sinkers for RHB and decently spotted four-seamers to LHB.
Consider him a low-end Holly for now, especially with the Pirates ahead. I do wish he’d locate that sinker inside and slider down-and-away to RHB, but this will do.
Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) vs STL (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.
This was a start labeled as a “do or die” for his sweeper against the majority RHB lineup and the pitch stepped up to the challenge. 8/33 whiffs with few mistakes is what he needed, setting up fourteen called strikes on his heaters. And hey! That cutter was great to LHB with three outs on five thrown. That’s hot. He’ll get another RHB heavy lineup with the Astros next time out and this could work again.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs HOU (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 100 pitches.
Against Houston, it’s no surprise Castillo had to deal with a slew of right-handers and the pair of heaters with the slider worked incredibly well. Solid pitch separation with high four-seamers and low(er) sliders + sinkers, though 4/42 whiffs on the latter pair is a result of keeping both regularly inside the zone. I still feel Castillo is holding on by a thread and yet he hasn’t lost his ability to locate four-seamers up and the rest down. We keep riding it for as long as that lasts.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs SFG (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
Oh, this worked? Nice. Fastballs and curves returned strikes, supporting the cutter that took the night off, and despite getting Singled Out with seven hits on his sinker, he was able to wriggle out of it for the sake of your fantasy teams. But it was a 1.58 WHIP. Well you can’t have everything, you know?
Quinn Priester (MIL) @ LAD (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 77 pitches.
Uhhhh wat. That’s a Gold Star for Priester against what is clearly a still cold Dodgers offense, but I refuse to diminish this outing so swiftly. Six innings of ten strikeouts is impressive as it is, but needing just 77 pitches to do so is bonkers. His 92/93 mph cutter baffled more batters than usual, the sinker landed backdoor to RHB with the best precision I’ve seen from the pitch all season, and we even had reliable sliders in the mix per usual. This was his peak and the first time I’m legit impressed by Priester. The sinker and cutter were simply so much better. It could be a Dennis of sorts, but I’d take the shot against the Mariners @TEA after this and hope it’s real.
Taj Bradley (TBR) vs BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.
This was a game of getting his four-seamers well in the zone (nearly 60% rate!) with good-enough (TM) cutters. No, I can’t bank on that happening enough, nor that Bradley will face the right offense for this to go well. I don’t like starting pitchers that feel like a game of Pooh Sticks. Please don’t let Taj be at the back of the pitching lines…
Spencer Strider (ATL) vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.
More of the same. Great slider, questionable four-seamer. Seriously, 50% strikes with 4/46 four-seamer whiffs has to make you a little uncomfortable, right? But yes, 11/42 slider whiffs carried him to the lovely line you see. I’m still worried that this isn’t sustainable without a dominant fastball.
Patrick Corbin (TEX) vs DET (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 92 pitches.
His slider and cutter were fantastic to RHB, and the sinker escaped damage to LHB (somehow). I’m happy for you, Corbin. A 3.91 ERA across 99.0 IP and 18 starts is absolutely incredible after posting four straight seasons of 5.00+ ERA each.
Dylan Cease (SDP) @ WSN (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 94 pitches.
Cease dealt mostly with LHB and brilliantly executed the BSB to earn a Golden Goal with ten strikeouts on sixteen outs. I sure hope you guys didn’t do anything stupid after his last outing. He deserved this one and lady luck wasn’t there to ruin it for him.
Jonathan Cannon (CHW) @ PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 86 pitches.
Sir, we are ready to light the fuses. SOUND THE OVERTURE. This was a whole lot of Koufax via sinkers down the pipe (10/13 outs on balls in play!), who I’m sure was bored and wanted for something exciting to play on the radio. I got you, Sandy.
Kyle Freeland (COL) vs MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
Freeland exclusively faced RHB and flooded the zone with all his offerings, leading to many outs in play on the heater. I’m happy he was able to celebrate a Birthday Party. Not many recognize those in Colorado. Why? Can’t light candles that high above sea level. That’s not real. YOU’RE NOT REAL. Hello?
Tyler Glasnow (LAD) vs MIL (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 88 pitches.
This was far from Glasnow’s best showcase (only four-seamers were good and the breakers were blegh) and I’m stoked to see the sinker’s presence once again. I feel for y’all who have been so unlucky with Glasnow’s Wins, though. Just one all year from Lanky McLankster.
Brandon Walter (HOU) @ SEA (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 95 pitches.
The changeup wasn’t staying up quite enough to get bites, but the sweeper and four-seamer did plenty of work in the zone and Walter cruised, taking advantage of a start @TEA. I wish it weren’t Arizona next time out (that’s a tough one), but it’s the Nationals after and I’d jam with that.
Colin Rea (CHC) vs BOS (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
Atta boy Rea. The Sawx aren’t nearly as threatening on the road and that’s how we use Rea – just against mid teams to hopefully steal a Win. Maybe that’s the Royals, though they’ve been far more promising leading up to the break.
Michael Soroka (WSN) vs SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 85 pitches.
The pitch separation with the four-seamer and curve is what we want. The changeup is not. But that’s alright, Soroka is serving us well as a Toby and he’s sure to wear his brown suit on the Reds Carpet next week. You want that.
Sean Manaea (NYM) vs CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 69 pitches.
Despite a sub 50% strike rate on his sweeper, Manaea still dominated via incessant four-seamers. Yeaaaaaah, you want this fella. He’ll get more volume soon enough, just put him in the lineup.
Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA) @ PHI (ND) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 17 pitches.
He opened for three frames of Jake Eder (He’s on the Angels now?!), who was pretty blegh with three runs. Let’s move on.
Nick Lodolo (CIN) @ NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
Mmmmm that’s so good Lodolo. The whole arsenal is there y’all, LEAN INTO IT.
Ian Hamilton (NYY) @ ATL (L) – 1.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 26 pitches.
The Yankees went with a bullpen game to push back Max Fried and props to Coffee Cakes showing up for 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BB, 4 Ks. No, you shouldn’t pick up JT Brubaker, but let’s be happy for him.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs KCR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 97 pitches.
You know what I’m going to say. The changeup wasn’t great and he’s not jamming RHB with heaters. 44% strike changeups, y’all. COME ON. The sinker was a bit better to RHB, but we’re not there yet.
Lucas Giolito (BOS) @ CHC (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.
Womp womp. I was scared of this one and honestly, it was a bamboozling early (his first three batters were: Walk, Walk, Three-Run HR off a great first pitch 93 mph fastball up at 0-0), then five shutout innings before a Careful, Icarus in the sixth. Yes, both his walks were to his first pair of batters and at least it wasn’t laboring for the full outing, you know? I’m still annoyed by the slowball’s mediocrity – 2/17 whiffs with a 53% strike rate and 18% CSW is not the slowball we want – but the slider was looking like a proper #2/3 pitch. It’s a little risky against the Phils next, but I’m leaning start.
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) vs LAA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.
Oh jeez, you really are the Cherry Bomb of previous years, but you gave managers a far better run early in the year making us believe this year was different. Two HRs were the difference here, one a solo shot on 98 mph down the pipe, and the second a two-run shot off a great low 90 mph changeup that I’m still shocked was launched over the fence. He was a bit off and failed to earn the same number of strikes as he usually does on all his offerings (all pitches failed to eclipse 60% strikes) and that’s just the Luzardo life these days. Sigh.
Bailey Falter (PIT) vs CHW (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 78 pitches.
He was bamboozled for three runs in the first and was otherwise his mid self. No, there isn’t anything more than the four-seamer. Still.
Justin Verlander (SFG) @ TOR (L) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 66 pitches.
He had a rough second inning but was sitting 95/96 mph and had a good looking slider. That second was a painful watch, with four grounders all returning hits, and I don’t think that terrible frame dictates more terrible frames in the future. I think I’d pick up Verlander for Atlanta and coast after for two starts against the Pirates + a date with the Nationals. It’s worth it.
Seth Lugo (KCR) @ MIA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches.
Two HRs in the first (another bamboozling on Friday, SO MANY BAMBOOZLES) led to three runs and the rest was normal Lugo. We brush this off and move on. Yes, the curveball is still dope.
Chris Paddack (MIN) @ COL (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 97 pitches.
Blegh. I actually liked what Paddack brought to the table, which I know is all kinds of weird. But look at that, 17 whiffs! He elevated his 95 mph heater at seven feet of extension, the split-change was down, and he even nibbled the down-and-away corner of the zone to RHB with his cutter and slider. I’m down for the Nationals + Red Sox up next, and yes, I’ll take Coors a little more seriously these days.
Andre Pallante (STL) @ ARI (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.
Annnnd that’s pretty much what we expected. You deserve better.
Slade Cecconi (CLE) vs ATH (W) – 8.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 107 pitches.
The Slade Brigade foamed at the mouth watching him toss four perfect frames…without a strikeout. Cecconi allowed three runs across the next four frames and was left in for the 9th despite already tossing 90 pitches. The result was a Careful, Icarus with three runs in the ninth, the final run scoring after he left. The regression was sure to hit after fanning just one batter prior to the ninth, and no, I didn’t see something new for me to suddenly buy into Cecconi. You do you, y’all, I even watched the first four frames trying to understand it and it felt a whole lot like Koufax wanted to have some fun.
JP Sears (ATH) @ CLE (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 74 pitches.
Yikes. I still love that low changeup, but the sweeper barely worked and the four-seamer was tagged a fair amount. This can still work against the Rangers next, but that’s more of a desperate stream or reserved for 15-teamers.
Charlie Morton (BAL) @ TBR (L) – 5.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 86 pitches.
Ah. So this Vargas Rule seems donezo, but the curveball was actually still amazing…? Outside of the HR, of course. He just got bamboozled in the first and then a Careful, Icarus in the sixth. With a solo shot in the second. And some struggles in the third. OKAY FINE. I still wonder he can still make it work given the curveball’s 9/39 whiffs and 49% CSW with a 74% strike rate. I’m tempted to stick with it agaisnt the Guardians…
Game of the Day
Sonny Gray vs. Ryne Nelson – I’m so curious about Ryne and I hope it’s a Sonny day.
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)
