Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Monday 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.
Sean Manaea (SD) @ DET (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 74 pitches.
I really don’t know what to do with Sean Manaea. He was faced with the poor Tigers offense today (albeit, better against LHP than RHP) and instead of earning the gratitude of managers everywhere, he instead got lit up for 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 74 pitches. Against the Tigers. He’s now allowed 3 ER or more in five of his last seven, pushing the season long ERA to 4.33 and WHIP to 1.28. It’s not great out here.
The sinker hasn’t been the issue this year, boasting the same SwStr rate we liked last year with a near identical strike rate and Hard Contact allowed. Nay, it’s the secondaries that have let him down in a major way. The changeup earns strikes far less often, dropping nine points in strike rate to 60%, while the breaker has gone from a 32% CSW to just a 23% clip this season.
It spells a man who’s still trying to figure it out and not making changes to get there, hoping it’ll click one day. For his sake, I hope it does, but with the Twins up next, I’m not sure he’s worth the hold in your standard 12-teamers. Go chase the fun stuff in Lodolo, Ashby, Detmers, and Braxton instead. Manaea could go on a hot streak inside the final ten weeks of the year, sure, but as of right now there aren’t any signs of it happening.
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 96 pitches.
Mmmmm. I had a whole discussion of Lodolo vs. Ashby today and the correct answer? Why not both? Lodolo killed it with curveballs right on the edge down-and-gloveside, while he earned a whopping 18 called strikes on sinkers…a number I wouldn’t expect to find consistently from Lodolo (sinker called strikes are the least sticky start to start). I think there’s still a bit more sinker command (not control, command) left to work on for Lodolo, but his secondaries were lovely and we’re leaning into his start against the Orioles next. You know, his low sinkers remind me of a summer coach I once had. I told him I was struggled to get my heaters low, prompting him to shout from the dugout for, oh I don’t know, the rest of the game – KEEP IT LOW NICK! KEEEEEP IT LOOOW!
Zack Greinke (KC) vs LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 92 pitches.
These are the starts you roster Greinke for and I’m stunned he earned 13 whiffs here. That’s the Angels without Trout, I guess. Yeeeesh, I just shivered.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs ATL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 78 pitches.
Ayyy the changeup returned! 7/15 whiffs is akin to last year’s numbers (well, better) and he moved toward a slider instead of a cutter that effectively worked gloveside. This can work, y’all. We’re seeing a glimpse of last year’s run right in front of us, all that’s left is the easy schedule. Suitman whispers in my ear HE GETS THE PIRATES NEXT?! ALLLLLL ABOOOOOARD! He’s still just a questionable start, FWIW, but yeah, I’d take a shot.
Kyle Freeland (COL) @ MIL (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 99 pitches.
Jeeeez Freeland, you just had to do this on the night of Ashby’s coronation, didn’t you? He kept the ball down with everything and stole strikes with sinkers effectively – don’t read into this and turn Freeland into a legit streaming option. You’re going to get into a fight with your future self and you both deserve better than that.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs SF (ND) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 99 pitches.
Duuuuude, this is getting ridiculous as Kelly now boasts a 3.04 ERA on the season. Bonkers. Velocity isn’t exceptional, changeup went just 3/22 whiffs (73% strikes, though) and he simply demands to be traded somewhere else. Here’s to it continuing against Atlanta.
Noah Syndergaard (LAA) @ KC (L) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.
The WHIP ain’t great, the whiffs are few, but the man got you a strikeout per inning with just 1 ER. Amen to that, Thor. A+ Men.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs CLE (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 95 pitches.
Even when you’re trying to convince us you’re good again, you have to make it so obvious with a horrific WHIP. Why must you continue to be the way that you are?
Austin Voth (BAL) vs TB (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 70 pitches.
“Oh cool, a bullpen game” – said no one.
Jakob Junis (SF) @ ARI (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 62 pitches.
So this…didn’t really work? I’m sad it was just 62 pitches and he was so close to going the full five frames to leave us satisfied. His slider was excellent, the changeup wasn’t, and I hope we see 75+ against the Cubs this weekend. He could be good for five there.
Paolo Espino (WSH) @ LAD (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 54 pitches.
You know, props to Espino. The curve and four-seamer combined for 1/43 whiffs, but the man survived. That’s as good as any of us can say. I’m sad he’s not stretched out more, forcing me to twiddle my thumbs like a dunce waiting for the time we can possible stream Paolo in proper desperation. Yes, I’m the kind of man who dreams of a random late August evening and pumps his fist over five frames and 2 ER of Espino against the Cubs. I AM WHO I AM.
Chris Flexen (SEA) vs TEX (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 91 pitches.
Weird Flexen, but okay. I’m glad this worked out across the board for all who needed it, but it didn’t do a whole lot to make me thrilled for the future, especially with the Astros next. That’s a whole lot of NOPE.
JT Brubaker (PIT) @ CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 86 pitches.
I heard many of y’all were streaming Coffee Cakes today and I hope it worked out for ya. That WHIP stings, but at least the slider was cooking for 8/28 whiffs…though everything came with depreciated velocity here – the breakers 1 to 2 ticks down and the fastball on the slower side. I hope it’s nothing. But it could be everything. Eh, probably nothing. He gets the Phils next and that’s another shrug from me with a low chance of something lovely across the board.
Adrian Sampson (CHC) vs PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 100 pitches.
If you elected to take a deep dive on Sampson, props to you for this one. Nothing quite like a good ole Blame it on the Pirates, you know?
Aaron Ashby (MIL) vs COL (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 111 pitches.
Well, well Tyler well. That’s a Golden Goal for Ashby as his slider was stupid good, his changeup earned 75% strikes, and his sinker pounded the zone with some whiffs. Oh, and his curve went 39% CSW too, because WHY NOT. Pretty wild to see him go 111 pitches as well when we were a touch worried at how stretched out he’d be. Look, the stuff is legit and as long as that slider and change are earning strikes, he’s going to be smooth. This is the side we’ve been waiting for from Ashby…but it was also Rockie Road and now he has to deal with the Red Sox next, even if they are a bit weathered at the moment. I’m starting Ashby there and hoping for more of the same and if he’s still on your wire, there isn’t much time left. Go. Go. GO.
Adam Oller (OAK) vs HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 71 pitches.
Hey Adam! Yeah? Weren’t you in that movie with Will Ferrell? Huh? You know, where you shot Derek Jeter. What are you talking about. AH! The Oller Guys! Please, haven’t I been through enough?
Glenn Otto (TEX) @ SEA (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
Blegh. Like the that random knock-off batman figurine I got from my weird uncle when I was six, the breakers just don’t do enough. It didn’t even have arms I could move! Batman just stood there. Looking into my soul. Otto is akin to a weak faucet – there are better streams.
Max Fried (ATL) @ PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 103 pitches.
It’s a VPQS, but two of those runs came on the most ridiculous “double” I’ve seen in ages. His curveball returned a 50% CSW with 8/26 whiffs so at least he’s got that going for him.
Zach Plesac (CLE) @ BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 96 pitches.
Blegh. I was hoping for more from Plesac against the depleted Red Sox crew, but his slider went just 4/23 whiffs and that’s all I need to see. What’s the fun of watching Plesac all year if he doesn’t come through in the sneaky starts? Like a kid curious about a jelly pen, what’s the point?!
Drew Hutchison (DET) vs SD (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 80 pitches.
This is likely the worst blurb you read for a long time, but every time I see his name, all I want to say is “The Hutches Are Open!” and I’ve been resisting telling you for too long. TODAY IS THE DAY I RIOT. Oh, and don’t start Drew. K thx.
Corey Kluber (TB) @ BAL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 88 pitches.
Blegh. Kluber, you took down the Sawx twice and even the Yankees, but them orange bois are givin’ ya trouble? Nah, I’m messing around, he was Singled Out as many hits came from quality pitches on the edge or even out of the zone. Just one of those days y’all. You can roll with him against the Guardians.
Tony Gonsolin (LAD) vs WSH (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
Did the Stanton HR ruin Gonsolin? I wouldn’t be so bold, though he tossed the slider the least of all four of his pitches – yes, all four as his curve was featured nearly 20% of the time. Hmmmm. He’s one start away from losing the AGA label (I knew I shouldn’t have done that) and I really hope this is just weirdness. Please be weirdness.
Jake Odorizzi (HOU) @ OAK (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 81 pitches.
Oh dear. Odorizzi started three straight games against the Athletics and progressed worse with each one. Now he gets the Mariners and I kinda think you’re safe…? I dunno, I loved his pitch separation here and precision on his four-seamer upstairs…I feel like I’m wild suggesting it, but I’ve seen bad Odorizzi. This wasn’t bad Odorizzi.
Trevor Rogers (MIA) @ CIN (L) – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 84 pitches.
HEY ROGERS! IT’S JULY 26TH. I aggressively tap on the non-existant Rolex on my wrist THERE AIN’T A WHOLE LOT TIME LEFT.
Game of the Day
Spencer Strider vs. Aaron Nola – Y’all know this is going to be a blast.
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 Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)