Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday 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.
Carlos Rodón (SF) @ ARI (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 99 pitches.
Everything is okay with Carlos Rodón…right? He went 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 99 pitches against the Diamondbacks tonight, allowing 5 ER – all on a pair of home runs – and it’s hard not to feel a little weird about the volatility as it’s the third start of five games where Rodón has allowed at least 4 ER.
In short, naaaah. Sure, the slider wasn’t great and he should have coasted against the Sneks, but he was awfully unlucky to have all five of his baserunners score, while his heater was dominant with 12/59 whiffs and a 41% CSW. He’s still an ace and I’m not worried about what’s ahead in the second half. It’s just a blip, that’s all.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Keegan Thompson (CHC) vs PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 97 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! I ranked Thompson low in my daily streamer rankings as I was too worried about Thompson’s inconsistent nature, but forgot that it’s the dang Pirates. I saw your tweets and comments, y’all deserved this line. I’m still skeptical that he’s worth a 12-teamer roster spot, but maybe he can do something similar against the Cardinals next…nah, I wouldn’t chance it. Blame it on the Pirates.
José Suarez (LAA) @ KC (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 78 pitches.
I’m glad we got Bon Suarez as his breaker did solid work and it does make you wonder if he can repeat it against the Athletics next week. I’m not taking the chance in 12-teamers, but it’s not terrible for AL-Only leagues.
Michael Kopech (CWS) @ COL (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.
Soooo Kopech somehow survived in Coors despite a 94.6 mph heater…that returned 34% CSW and nine whiffs. Meanwhile, his breakers returned a 47% strike rate between them and I honestly don’t know how this worked out. I’m still scared of his floor for the second half, but I guess he’s questionable against the Royals next Monday. He knows the path to fix this.
George Kirby (SEA) vs TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 51 pitches.
Phew. I’m amazed he was able to be this efficient as the four-seamer was cooking and the curve was fine. That’s about it, the life of George Kirby. Avoid the next start against the Astros, but return for the Angels after.
Pablo López (MIA) @ CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 11 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 94 pitches.
HEY! EVERY COMPETITIVE TEAM THIS YEAR! HE’S READY TO LEAVE FLORIDA FOR CRYIN’ OUT LOUD. His changeup returned a 41% CSW and the curveball beat that with 54%. What a lovely night.
Germán Márquez (COL) vs CWS (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
Hey that’s three straight starts of 2 ER or fewer from Márquez now. Sure, the other two were the Sneks and Pirates, but this was 18 whiffs inside Coors against the White Sox, fueled by 8/15 whiffs on his curve. That’s legit. Oh, so it’s time to pick up Márquez? What?! No. No no no no. Wellll NO. He hosts the Dodgers next and it doesn’t really matter what he does next, this is such a dangerous proposition that it’s not worth it to chase. That’s still a 1.33 WHIP tonight, y’all.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.
The dude slung about 80% four-seamers at 73% strikes and I absolutely adore it. Strikes are all that matter with the fella as his stuff is just that good.
Angel Zerpa (KC) vs LAA (L) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 59 pitches.
Angel! What? You, Zerpa? No, I’m not Jaime Lannister, why does everyone say that? Do not grace your fantasy teams with this Angel.
Mike Clevinger (SD) @ DET (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 92 pitches.
Yep, this is what you’re supposed to do against the Tigers, though I’m still disappointed to see the secondaries fail to come alive. The slider went just 2/18 whiffs (blegh) and his velocity fell a full tick to 93 and change. This isn’t the Clevinger we’re looking for and we couldn’t be luckier it’s Rockie Road next.
Shane McClanahan (TB) @ BAL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 81 pitches.
Aces gonna ace and earn a Golden Goal. I feel bad for Pablo and his 41% CSW; McShane just had to pitch tonight, didn’t he. The man went 14/28 whiffs on his changeup tonight. 50% SwStr rate.
Hunter Greene (CIN) vs MIA (L) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 105 pitches.
His four-seamer averaged 100.3 mph in this one while the slider sat nearly three ticks harder than usual at 90.5 mph and tallied 11/46 whiffs. Yeah, that’s the sweet side of a Cherry Bomb alright. Think he can do it a second time against Miami? By all Johns means, let it ride, I think I’m with you but I’ll always be anxious about his floor.
Frankie Montas (OAK) vs HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 78 pitches.
Props to Montas surviving five frames and going 78 pitches (he tossed just 53 last time), but that 2.00 WHIP is aligned with what we expected against the Astros. Fun fact: his sinker went 0/19 CSW in this start. That’s not fun at all. No, I guess it isn’t. This was likely the last we’ll see of Montas in Oakland and I think it does prove that he’s healthy enough for a deal to be made. Oh the places you can go…
Dane Dunning (TEX) @ SEA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 85 pitches.
I guess this is okay…? He did well avoiding the heart of the plate as he spotted changeups and slider down, with solid cutters glove-side, and it may outline a hot stretch for Dunning moving forward…though this isn’t much of a “hot” start. He does get the Angels next, though, and I may consider that on a desperate Sunday.
Mitch White (LAD) vs WSH (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 98 pitches.
I’m glad the breakers performed better here (especially the 40% CSW curve!) but a 1.50 WHIP without a win and just four strikeouts ain’t enough for me to jump on board. That heater is still awfully susceptible to damage. With Andrew Heaney back tomorrow + a possible new starter at the deadline, I believe this may be the last we see of White in the rotation for a bit. It was a…ride. No adjectives for you.
Tyler Gilbert (ARI) vs SF (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 71 pitches.
I still can’t believe he tossed a no-hitter in his MLB debut. For such a boring arsenal, it’s a surprisingly interesting fact.
Bryan Shaw (CLE) @ BOS (ND) – 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 50 pitches.
Weird seeing Kredik Shaw toss 50 pitches and who could have guessed it, he went 88% cutters. Oh, right. All of us. Anyway, it was a bullpen game soooo yeah.
Bryse Wilson (PIT) @ CHC (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
A PQS for Wilson is as much of a Win as you’ll get from him. So enjoy the half-Birthday Party, which we all know is just an excuse to have fun with friends. Why, that’s my favorite kind of excuse.
Taijuan Walker (NYM) vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 101 pitches.
I’m not sure you’re okay with a PQS and a Win when it comes with those poor ratios and just three strikeouts. The Yankees, man. They getcha good. The Nationals should be a lovely respite.
José Berríos (TOR) vs STL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 99 pitches.
Blegh. Sure, it’s one out away from a VPQS, but against the Cardinals without their two best hitters? Really?! Fine, you get the Tigers next and that should be a lovely night at the park, but for real Berríos, I’m getting a bit upset you’re not undulating like you normally do. Get. It. 2. Gether.
Josiah Gray (WSH) @ LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
This could have been worse and his stuff was generally solid across the board. Curves landed for strikes, sliders earned whiffs, and even his four-seamer earned over a 15% SwStr rate. But it was the Dodgers and we can’t have nice things. The Mets are next and that’s a tough call in my book – I’d generally play it safe and avoid it, but hey, it could work.
Spenser Watkins (BAL) vs TB (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.
Welp, that wasn’t fun. The cutter went 7/26 whiffs, but the heater got smacked around a ton and there’s your ball game. He was a Do Not Start after all, and he will be that again against the Reds in Cincy on Sunday.
Garrett Hill (DET) vs SD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 88 pitches.
This isn’t the Hill you want to die on.
Andre Pallante (STL) @ TOR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 78 pitches.
Obviously. You don’t need me.
Ethan Small (MIL) vs MIN (ND) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 63 pitches.
This wasn’t the recipe for success and I’m not sure we’re going to be seeing a lot of him – the Brewers get a pair of off days, removing their necessity for a fifth starter for a while. That’s beside the fact Small isn’t ready to be relevant for your fantasy leagues. I should have led with that, huh.
Luis Garcia (HOU) @ OAK (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 108 pitches.
Garcia, I’ve been turning the corner on you and now you do this. Against the Athletics. Does my respect mean nothing to you?! The heater was a tick down and far worse than what we’ve seen, while there wasn’t much else outside of the cutter. You have to wonder if it’s the first sign of fatigue after he showcased a decline last year, too, but it’s too early to be certain about that. I still think he’s okay to start against the Sawx this weekend.
Jordan Montgomery (NYY) @ NYM (L) – 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 71 pitches.
Yeeeeesh, right after I made The Bear the featured pitcher last time he started. Brush it off, he’ll be fine against the Royals next time out.
Aaron Nola (PHI) vs ATL (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 92 pitches.
Despite having all the whiffs and CSW and strikeouts, the man still has these games where he can’t keep runs off the board. Sigh. He deserves better, you know?
Dylan Bundy (MIN) @ MIL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 77 pitches.
Huh, I totally forgot Bundy was still a thing for a moment. Welp, see ya later.
Josh Winckowski (BOS) vs CLE (L) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 73 pitches.
He was returning from COVID, making this a bench in what would have otherwise been an interesting streaming option. Don’t rule out Winck just because of this HAISTBMBWT?!
Game of the Day
Braxton Garrett vs. Luis Castillo – It may be the final start Castillo makes in a Reds uniform + will Garrett be able to repeat his slider performance against a team that doesn’t rhyme with Girates?
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 Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)