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.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Nolan McLean (NYM) @ PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.
I’ve been waiting for Nolan McLean to give us a start that displayed more than sinkers for strikes and a massive shrug from the rest of his arsenal that turns his strikezone plot into one of my kindergarten paintings. Today, we got that start in Philadelphia: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches (W). Yes, I am excited, thanks for asking.
His sinker was still the foundational fastball, and his four-seamer still has polish left to add as he missed too high out of the zone a few too many times, but he displayed the best feel for his curveball in a long while, boasting a 41% CSW as he bumped it to 23% usage to LHB. It made me wonder why he doesn’t throw the 82 mph hammer more often – it’s a legit stuff pitch and it hovered the bottom of the zone beautifully in this one. You know, McLean, you can throw it to RHB, too.
Speaking of which, I’m a little surprised he’s pulled back on breaking balls to RHB. This one featured nearly 70% sinkers and four-seamers, and he could be more consistent if he leaned on his 88/89 mph slider with 12″ of sweep. That’s more sweep than 2007 Rocktober.
I see this outing as a launching pad for his confidence. The breakers did their part, he got whiffs upstairs with heaters, and his sinker is still hard to hit over the plate + had some fun front-hip action to LHB. The swagger is returning. The Dodgers are coming. The Dodgers are coming?! Oh, right. It’s not fun to see a tough matchup like that after potentially swinging the momentum into his favor, but I think I’m letting it ride. This is the McLean you drafted. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs MIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 99 pitches.
The rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated. His four-seamer and splitter separation to RHB is still something I adore and even on a day when we saw a velocity drop (90.4 mph four-seamers are not what we want to see), he still cruised through seven frames. Yes, that velocity is not fun to see, but who knows, it could easily bounce back by next start in PNC Park – a place where HRs are harder to come by. (View Game Card)
Sean Burke (CHW) @ TOR (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 98 pitches.
The dude is feeling it and we love that. Huge props to him for returning 70%+ strikes on his four main pitches, while the cutter feel was terrible and abandoned quickly. Start him against the Astros and decide what to do with him when he forces you to think again. Hopefully never. (View Game Card)
Eury Pérez (MIA) @ MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 93 pitches.
He’s pulling a John Wick, y’all. Yeah, I think I’m back. He sat a tick up on everything (99.2 mph four-seamers! 89/90 mph sliders!) and all his pitches earned whiffs, including changeups, which returned 7/9 strikes. Wait, wasn’t he struggling so much for months with that pitch? Yes! He was! It sure looks like Eury is figuring it out now and I expect more domination against the Padres ahead of him. His fastballs are so dang overwhelming with their high two-plane movement. (View Game Card)
Ryan Yarbrough (NYY) vs LAD (ND) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 36 pitches.
The Yankees and Dodgers each went with a bullpen game on doubleheader day. Carry on. (View Game Card)
Brandon Young (BAL) @ HOU (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.
Wow, really? This was blegh sinkers over the plate + four-seamers that often missed too high, and a slider that somehow returned 5/14 whiffs. I dunno, I still don’t love it and he’ll get Atlanta next. I really don’t buy this. (View Game Card)
Paul Skenes (PIT) @ CLE (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 100 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. The velocity was fine, the command was stellar. He’s still a stud, y’all. (View Game Card)
Foster Griffin (WSN) @ ATH (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 97 pitches.
It wasn’t pretty in Sacré Verde, but he finished this game and ran onto the bus with the team. The magic isn’t gone yet. I wonder if he’s going to be underdrafted next year, labeled as a massive regression candidate… (View Game Card)
Sonny Gray (BOS) vs TBR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 91 pitches.
The dude keeps on going, even if four walks found their way into the line. We do have some issues, though. He was over a tick down on everything, the sweeper feel was horrific and thrown just six times, and he fought all game to get his four-seamer and cutter inside to LHB with little success. Is this the warning sign before it falls off the table? Or is it just a Gray(ish) day? What, like eggshell white? Something like that. After so much success, I don’t see how we can do anything but let him fly against the Jays, but it may be one of the final times you can sell Sonny before it’s too late. (View Game Card)
Robert Gasser (MIL) vs MIA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 86 pitches.
That’s a lovely rebound outing for Gasser, but hot dang did it make me feel uneasy. That four-seamer couldn’t find the zone and his sinker laid itself bare over the plate without damage. The sweeper and cutter were effective, but questionably spotted, and if it weren’t for Rockie Road + @LAA on the horizon, I’d be on the phone, hoping I can get a partial credit for returning Gasser to the wire within 24 hours. (View Game Card)
Ryan Johnson (LAA) vs DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
I’m happy for him, I really am. But I just don’t buy into a guy with sub-90 mph velocity. The best comp I have is a right-handed Fratty Pirate and that’s just so not what I’m going for. (View Game Card)
Robbie Ray (SFG) @ SEA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
I still don’t understand why Ray is throwing more sinkers than four-seamers. He’s getting strikes on the four-seamers he does throw and the sinkers are getting hit. I DON’T GET IT. (View Game Card)
Casey Mize (DET) @ LAA (ND) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 74 pitches.
Mize didn’t pitch poorly, he just got overworked too quickly, like a ten-pitch at-bat to Neto to close the third. His slider is still dope and makes us feel dope, and I’d hold. (View Game Card)
Will Klein (LAD) @ NYY (ND) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 24 pitches.
This was a bullpen game with Ohtani’s knee keeping him from the rotation indefinitely. I wouldn’t expect him back any time soon – why risk it if you’re the Dodgers? (View Game Card)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) @ NYY (W) – 9.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. It’s so rare to see a complete game these days and who cares about the K/9 when you’re getting seven strikeouts, y’all. Just use K%, anyway. (View Game Card)
Jacob Lopez (ATH) vs WSN (L) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 84 pitches.
Huh. Lopez returned to the rotation for his first proper start since May and suddenly shelved the cutter to go two-pitch with sliders and four-seamers. The former was a struggle for Nationals batters (12/40 whiffs!) while the latter did well enough to help him survive nearly five frames. It’s possible it’s the start of JLo being fantasy relevant again, but I’m not going to take that chance. (View Game Card)
Germán Márquez (SDP) @ KCR (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 59 pitches.
This was Spain’s day, not Germány’s. (View Game Card)
Hunter Greene (CIN) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.
The Goodman messed up the Greene with two blasts off pitches middle away, and that’s all the damage Greene allowed in Coors. We saw a massive uptick of splitters here (31% usage to LHB!) and while they weren’t bad (72% strikes is obviously good), it wasn’t a devastating offering, nor do I believe he located it super well to make me believe he found its feel overnight and we should expect it next week, too. Anyway, we’re starting him for his potential Coronation Day in St. Louis up next. (View Game Card)
Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a PQS. A solo shot early, a few convenient hits, and the day became mortal, but Gilbert is pumping 97 mph ched without fear and I dig it. (View Game Card)
Trey Yesavage (TOR) vs CHW (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 95 pitches.
Is there a bigger HIPSTER out there right now? A Golden Goal with nine punchouts a game after seven walks and one strikeout. I have no idea how he suddenly earned 79% strikes on his four-seamer and kept the splitter in the zone 45% of the time, but I’ll tell you this: I sure don’t trust him to do it again. He’s a complete wild card (View Game Card)
Andre Pallante (STL) @ ARI (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 88 pitches.
Blegh. We saw a rough version of Pallante last time out and this was another step back. Fastballs weren’t where he wanted them to be, and his slider was so off that he felt the need to feature 17 curveballs, for 41% strikes. Wait, what. Yeaaaah, not the best. I’d stay away gracefully before this gets worse in Cincy. (View Game Card)
Grant Holmes (ATL) vs TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 74 pitches.
That’s the second Win in three games for REB and I don’t care if it’s in a great neighborhood. I ain’t buying what you’re selling. But I leaned into the cutter for 28% usage instead of 7% usage! And it returned 71% strikes! Cool, it’s not a great pitch and this is a bad line if not for the dub. WHATEVER. (View Game Card)
Cam Schlittler (NYY) vs LAD (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna get worked by the Dodgers with so many foul balls off the sinker and cutter. It happens, you see the strikeouts and whiffs, after all. Don’t overthink it. (View Game Card)
Joey Cantillo (CLE) vs PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 80 pitches.
It may seem weird to see a co-share of the King Cole with this line, but this was two earned runs through five, then both baserunners reached at the start of the sixth and eventually scored. “Careful, Icarus.” His curveball is still the main act, and fastballs are still 92/93 mph instead of napping near 91 mph. These are good things. Keep rolling with the kid. (View Game Card)
Shane McClanahan (TBR) @ BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.
His slowball was there, but the 95 mph heater had no interest in flirting with 97 mph at the bar, despite all the back-and-forth they had in the office for the last few weeks. Not sure what was going on with it today, but it’s not going to stop me from starting McShane against the Guardians. (View Game Card)
Hunter Brown (HOU) vs BAL (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 6 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.
No, the fastball isn’t back. The velocity is a bit (96.3), but 36% strikes with his sinker not faring much better at 43% is an atrocity. Everything wanted to be Superman and soared up up and away from LHB, but I was super impressed by his hook. 30% usage with 43% CSW at 84 mph and -16/17″ of drop is filthy. If only I could believe the fastballs would be fixed by next start. I’m benching against the White Sox. (View Game Card)
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) @ ATL (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 81 pitches.
Jeeeeez Riley messed him up for a pair of solo shots (albeit on a pair of terrible pitches), but this was a game of legit curveballs and splitters with the cutter and fastball doing a poor job giving him support. I’m still a believer in Eovaldi, but there’s only so much time left in the season and I think I have to lower him in the ranks. Uh oh. I can’t believe I’m typing this – In his last ten games, Eovaldi has allowed fewer than 3 ER just once. Then again, he had fanned at least nine in each of his last four before this one, too. I’m going to call this a weird off day (a tick down + far less movement) and with SEA, @TBR, SFG up next, I’m holding. (View Game Card)
Alan Rangel (PHI) vs NYM (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.
Is it bad that I want to call him Shawn? You know, the character from The Good Place who ran hell. ANYWAY, he still has a fun changeup, but it’s not fun when it floats down the pipe to LHB. Don’t do that, and while you’re at it, please find something else inside this arsenal. The 93 mph heater and blegh slider ain’t it. (View Game Card)
Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) vs STL (ND) – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 68 pitches.
Is this the end of the Vargas Rule? His schedule @WSH + @PIT isn’t too hot and his command was off in this one, with heaters sailing out of the zone and changeups missing just a hair too much. Be careful. (View Game Card)
Noah Cameron (KCR) vs SDP (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 90 pitches.
Welp, that’s not at all what I expected. Cameron failed to tease his heater outside the zone (over 55% zone rate), while his secondaries sat well over the plate and it was trouble. Sigh. He’s not worth the mess. (View Game Card)
Zebby Matthews (MIN) @ CHC (L) – 3.0 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
He’s just too dang hittable. This wasn’t one frame, but rather runs scoring across each of the four innings he saw. That’s 16 ER in his last three starts, y’all. I’m not interested. (View Game Card)
Ryan Feltner (COL) vs CIN (L) – 2.1 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 71 pitches.
I know that one start was cool. Let’s all just be happy he had it. (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Freddy Peralta vs. Jacob Misiorowski – Peralta gets a revenge game, Jay Mis proves that he’s okay after getting extra rest for fatigue.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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