Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Silseth of Fresh Air

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 Twitch weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.  

Chase Silseth (LAA) vs NYY (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 45% CSW, 85 pitches.

I’m absolutely astonished to tell you that Chase Silseth earned a King Cole tonight with one of the highest CSW marks of the season, taking down the Yankees via 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 45% CSW, 85 pitches. Yeah, I think that warrants a Gold Star, don’t you agree?

I was very much out on this start, even with the Yankee offense looking all kinds of streamable without Judge in the lineup, as Silseth hasn’t displayed the skills to be a reliable fantasy arm. That idea was very much turned on its head here as Silseth appeared with a brand new breaker with eight extra inches of vertical drop (and two horizontal!) as it came in almost four ticks slower. That slider? 54% CSW with 10/39 whiffs. The Yankees couldn’t do a single thing to it.

Meanwhile, the four-seamer was elevated well and the sinker landed armside plenty, with the rare splitter mixed in. His slider/fastball separation was excellent and while I think this has some Blame it on the Yankees for the ridiculous slider results, this certainly is worth starting against all but the top-tier offenses.

Two major questions arise: Can he execute like this again and when will he get the chance to? The Angels have two days off during the current turn of the rotation, allowing them to go five-man for a bit and Silseth got his chance only because Ohtani needed some extra rest. Monitor the situation and if he’s given the chance to start against the Tigers, we go for it.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Yu Darvish (SD) @ TOR (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 100 pitches.

Darvish once again had a solid approach with his stuff – not quite as precise as last time, but still the same general idea and I’m very much here for it. I have a very good feeling about this second half, y’all.

Brandon Bielak (HOU) @ COL (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 92 pitches.

Coors schmoors, that’s what we always say. No it isn’t. Shhhhh. Quick, POP QUIZ. What is Bielak’s best pitch? If you guessed four-seamer, you’d be wrong but absolutely right tonight as it did all the work. His actual best pitch, the changeup, went 1/20 CSW because life is weird and never makes sense. Like actual sense. So we press on.

Jon Gray (TEX) vs TB (ND) – 4.1 IP, 0 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 63 pitches.

Gray left this one after taking a comebacker to the leg (he should be good to go for his next start) and showed some of the skills we’re looking for, but not convincingly enough for me to buy in for the Astros up next. I need more slider/fastball separation.

Justin Verlander (NYM) vs CWS (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 100 pitches.

The start after I say Verlander no longer has ace potential, he looks like the aceiest ace of AcenWrath. Yes, that’s a real place. His slider and curve were great (still not the pitches I truly want them to be) and the four-seamer was mostly elevated as well, and we’re all happy about it. Probably a touch of Blame it on the White Sox, but we’re thrilled and that’s cool. Not an ace for the next three months now, but cool.

Kyle Hendricks (CHC) vs WSH (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 97 pitches.

You rascal, I knew you’d get your changeup back. Now do it to the curveball please. Please.

Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs MIL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 86 pitches.

Another decent game from Sánchez, even if the WHIP is a little too high. Blame the sinker’s mediocre command and just keep starting the guy. I really dig that slowball.

Zack Littell (TB) @ TEX (L) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 51 pitches.

If only he were Zack Largee, then maybe we’d get a proper start from the guy instead of 51 pitches.

Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) @ KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.

There are moments where everything goes as planned and we can all nod at each other approvingly. Please nod. It wasn’t peak Erod from a precision standpoint, but it’s enough for the Royals, and likely enough for the Giants and Marlins after this.

Ryne Nelson (ARI) @ ATL (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.

Yep, that is exactly what we expected. Mhmmm. 100%. Never a moment of doubt. Wait wait, what are you doing. No no no, there’s no reason to check this morning’s streaming artic–ah. Hi. Look, his four-seamer survived for whatever reason and he was able to sneak some sliders and cutters over the plate for 10/23 CSW (43%) between them. Yay. I find it awfully strange that Nelson is the arm who casually strolls through seven frames against Atlanta despite middling stuff and those wondering if there is something legit under the hood, there really isn’t. 2/52 four-seamer whiffs, y’all.

Kenta Maeda (MIN) @ SEA (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 80 pitches.

Leave it to the Mariners to bring out the whiffs as Maeda returned 12/31 whiffs on the splitty for 45% CSW, bringing all kinds of joy to managers everywhere. If only Senga could go 65% strikes with his splitter too…ANYWAY, the slider did its part as a strike pitch at a 75% zone rate (1/24 whiffs but 33% called strikes) and the fastball gave brief hellos as it avoided balls in play. It’s hard not to love it, though on the nights the splitter isn’t earning a 59% O-Swing, I hope the slider can adjust to perform outside the zone, too.

José Berríos (TOR) vs SD (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 106 pitches.

Whoaaa, nine strikeouts with extra velocity on everything?! That’s pretty dang cool, especially the 50% CSW on his four-seamer out of NOWHERE, especially when the pitch wasn’t saved for elevation and instead was plopped into the zone often. The Padres just welcomed it in like a traffic cop despite that heater being the root of Berríos’ struggles for a long while. Well okay then, we move on.

Graham Ashcraft (CIN) vs SF (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.

Oh hey, another outing where Ashcraft has terrible cutter command, but his slider is solid and carries him through most of the start where he fans few. This sounds like a terrible bedtime story. YOU’RE A TERRIBLE BEDTIME STORY. Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, it’s just that Ashcraft is a perfect example of a pitcher I have zero interest chasing. The ceiling isn’t going to happen unless something miraculous shifts in his arsenal.

Aaron Civale (CLE) @ PIT (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.

Ummmmm, Civale sat four ticks down on his fastballs today and I don’t care what you tell me, that’s a man dealing with an injury. Hopefully it’s one that doesn’t affect him that much.

Colin Rea (MIL) @ PHI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 74 pitches.

Ah, more “chuck some heaters and cutters and hope for the best working out somehow”. That’s my favorite.

Trevor Williams (WSH) @ CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 98 pitches.

It came with nine baserunners, a no-decision, and just one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!), but at least you got a 3.60 ERA for the night. That’s good right? RIGHT?!

Dakota Hudson (STL) vs MIA (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 66 pitches.

If you hadn’t been introduced to Dakota before this one, I feel like this line is perfect. Normally it’s extrapolated over five or six frames, but you get the gist, especially with the HAISTBMBWT?! thrown in. Welcome, it’s not a town you want to visit often, if at all.

Luis Castillo (SEA) vs MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 104 pitches.

Aces gonna return a Dusty Donut as he nearly produced a VPQS. Yeah, but 22 whiffs! 41% CSW! I’m with you, he’s dope and makes me feel dope, but I know many will see those ratios and complain. Sometimes baseball doesn’t play out as it should. But he went 11/31 slider whiffs at 58% CSW! IT’S THE DREAM! You’re talking to the guy with a new Castillo Bobblehead who has been singing his praises since 2017. I’m with you wholeheartedly, especially with the stupid good pitch separation he had tonight. He’s a stud.

Ross Stripling (SF) @ CIN (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches.

You see the PQS, but then realize it was 76 pitches and it’s awfully rare to get one of those in fewer than eighty pitches. Sadly, the changeup is still blegh at 17% CSW and 2/23 whiffs, but props to Strip for surviving Cincy. Ish. That is a 4.50 ERA with two strikeouts and a Loss, after all. But the WHIP! Yes, the oh-so-cool WHIP.

Ryan Yarbrough (KC) vs DET (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 82 pitches.

I’m squinting to see if there’s any hidden value in this start from the Fratty Pirate and…nope. I got nothing. It was some really good squinting, though, I promise. Fine but what about his arsenal? Oh you mean the two tick velocity drop on his sinker? No no, the change and curve. Ah, the only redeeming qualities as they had strong CSW marks. Good for them, I’m sure their parents are proud.

Austin Gomber (COL) vs HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.

You know, that’s a solid effort for a guy hosting the Astros inside Coors. H’ok enough with the weird Gomber praise, we’ve got things to do.

Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ STL (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 103 pitches.

In annoyingly traditional fashion, Alcantara got roughed up early, then settled down to go six frames to help make up for his early struggles. Seriously, it was four runs with six baserunners (and a three run shot) in the first, then shutout ball with just four baserunners after. It’s so obviously there for him to dominate and these mini-lapses inside starts destroy him. It doesn’t feel fair, does it?

Rich Hill (PIT) vs CLE (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 97 pitches.

Whenever I see Hill add a tick or two of velo on the day, I just think of Maester Pycelle jumping up out of bed and doing some stretches. Even if the sinker is up two ticks, it still sat just 87.2 mph, you know. Oh Hill, this year may be it. I won’t forget you, you know. I know. DUDE. Don’t sneak up on me like that.

Charlie Morton (ATL) vs ARI (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 103 pitches.

Oh, so you aren’t going to be on a glorious run starting in July after all. Cool cool cool, yeah, awesome. Why are you the way that you are.

Ken Waldichuk (OAK) vs BOS (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.

I really want Waldi to find himself in these opportunities he’s getting, setting up a possible surprise play in 2024. If he just gets that four-seamer elevated and sweeper hugging gloveside with consistency…oh and please get the changeup down, I don’t know what it thinks the life of a slowball is, but it ain’t this.

Touki Toussaint (CWS) @ NYM (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 107 pitches.

One of these days I’ll see a line that is a full numerical descension. We all have our dreams. Like Touki actually being fantasy relevant? No, my dreams can actually happen, #RealisticExpectations. Dickens’ long-awaited sequel…

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs LAD (ND) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 91 pitches.

Ah, a HAISTBMBWT?! from Kremer after he’s been on a bit of a hot streak. It is the Dodgers, after all, but the overall command was nothing like I’ve been seeing from him lately – four-seamers were not elevated, and cutters weren’t close to gloveside-and-down. He’ll shake it off, right…?

Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ LAA (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.

I know what you’re thinking. Well, one of like ten different things. Are you sure he didn’t swap lines with Silseth? Nick, you told me he was gonna be an ace! He was injured for nearly four months and he’s still not ready?! That last one is actually a quote I saw from a Yankee fan and it’s all kinds of ridiculous. Yeah, this was a terrible game. Rodón struggled to find the zone (sub 50% strike rate on sliders is horrible) and couldn’t make the adjustment, even if his stuff allowed only four hits in the end. Four hits! And yet, we see this from arms all the time. Give him a moment to get his footing and he’ll reward you plenty. The stuff is still there and don’t let the world of ultra small sample sizes dilute the waters.

Brayan Bello (BOS) @ OAK (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 67 pitches.

He allowed three homers. That’s it, that’s the blurb. He would have been just fine if two four-seamers and a changeup didn’t leave the yard. The sample size of three individual pitches are going to enrage so many and make them do silly things for fantasy baseball. Don’t be that person.

Julio Urías (LAD) @ BAL (L) – 5.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.

What is going on this week? Is no one safe?! The Orioles jumped on everything he threw in the zone – fastballs and curves alike – creating a rough first and third frame…and fourth…and fifth. No real red flags for us to report, and after all, Kremer on the other side allowed more hard hit balls with half the hits. Whatareyagonnado. 

 

Game of the Day

 

Zac Gallen vs. Spencer Strider – Dueling aces are an absolute blast to watch.

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.

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