Fantasy Baseball Sp Roundup: By George! Harrison!

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.

Kyle Harrison (SFG) vs COL (W) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 106 pitches.

Those Giants are really beating up the Rockies, eh? Kyle Harrison had his way with them in Oracle Park Friday night – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 106 pitches – and with a 2.66 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 27% strikeout rate since returning to the rotation on July 6th, is it time for me to hang up my fears and embrace Harrison?

Nah, those are cherry-picked stats. Harrison had a rough first outing + 2 ER in his last three, while collecting just 11 strikeouts in his previous three games. This was a game of Rockie Road getting served secondaries out of the zone for a sub 60% strike rate (typical) and his heater returning foul balls or whiffs constantly. Nothing new, nothing exciting, no development on the changeup and curve, but the same ole Harrison not taking the leap forward that we want him to.

It doesn’t mean we should block him out entirely – he has the ability to earn these double-digit strikeout games and it’s silly to not consider it for your weekly and daily moves if you need to take a gamble – but I don’t see an arm who has turned a corner from his previous self. It’s just like the Reds game last season and not a moment to lean forward in your seat, excited for the next scene.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:

 

George Kirby (SEA) @ CHW (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The slider is real. It was always real. I don’t mean White Castle, Brad. Oh. Can we get some White Castle? No, BRAD.

Brady Singer (KCR) vs CHC (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 99 pitches.

Uhhhh Singer has a 1.76 ER, 1.10 WHIP, and 22% strikeout rate over his last seven games. No, there hasn’t been a discernable change in my view and this was a whole lot “Here’s my sinker, do something with it.” That said, it’s the White Sox and Red Sox and I’m sure Singer can avoid pink laundry dealing with those two separately.

Framber Valdez (HOU) vs LAD (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 96 pitches.

You see, this is what Framber can look like when his curve and changeup are on point. Both pitches were stupid good and paired with a sinker that was able to nibble the edges instead of carrying the strike load and getting pumped down the plate. Enjoy the Golden Goal, Framber, while the rest of us fantasy managers stop trying to micro-manage your starts – he performs how he does regardless of opponent. Yes, I’m still having nightmares of that Seattle start, thanks for asking.

Ben Lively (CLE) @ PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.

I still struggle to figure out how Lively’s sinker is as good as it is, but it’s hard to deny another successful start, here against the mighty Phillies offense. I would say Vargas Rule, but do we really want to test that against the Orioles?

Adam Mazur (SDP) @ BAL (ND) – 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 39 pitches.

Mazur led a bullpen game. Gotta balance Thursday’s heroics, right? Can’t give them peak all the time, then what is a “peak”? What I give the box scores every night at 8pm. Jack Handey would be proud.

Pablo López (MIN) @ DET (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 97 pitches.

Yesssss. There was some Blame it on the Tigers as the sweeper and changeup got a lot of the zone and whatever, give us all that production. I’m looking forward to his future challenges to show us he can buckle down and execute the change and sweeper when needed. Let’s do this.

Nick Lodolo (CIN) @ TBR (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 93 pitches.

His curve didn’t return the whiffs we wanted, but we saw the four-seamer command that had been missing with that hook landing low as it should. This is the good stuff.

Shane Baz (TBR) vs CIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 86 pitches.

Whoa whoa whoa. Baz gave us some curves last time as he needed help with strikes, but I didn’t expect it to be thrown more than the slider in this outing. And here’s the thing – IT WAS GLORIOUS. PLV had it around 5.50 for the night, it returned a 40% CSW and 80% strike rate, and the four-seamer benefited from a dependable secondary. It’s not like the slider did nothing, either, earning 60% strikes and helping along the way. This version of Baz absolutely works and I completely missed that it was an option. Now will that curve land in the zone comfortably moving forward is another story…

Trevor Rogers (MIA) @ MIL (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.

Today’s Gold Star goes to Rogers for this HAISTBMBWT?! with a Win. And only PL Bot rejoiced. GAME’S OVER LOSERS! I HAVE ALL THE MONEY! No, Rogers isn’t displaying anything quality enough for us to chase. I wish I had better news.

Kodai Senga (NYM) vs ATL (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 73 pitches.

He’s back! He’s through five with elite pitch separation! He has nine strikeouts! He’s…limping off the field? He’s hitting the IL? HE’S OUT FOR THE SEASON?! What is life.

Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) vs SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.

Aces gonna actually get some of his changeups and sliders down! And also his fastballs. Hey, it’s about finding a balance and this is half of it…? He’ll figure it out in full over time.

Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs CLE (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 88 pitches.

A VVPQS with just two strikeouts and a Loss ain’t the world we want for Sánchez. He got Singled Out and we move on.

Zac Gallen (ARI) vs PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 102 pitches.

A co-share of the Gallows Pole is nice and so is the Win, but a PQS? Ehhhh, I want to be blown away Gallen, not making compromises from a Pirates start. But whatever, the curve is looking great, the changeup is helping, and that heater needs some tweaking.

Carson Fulmer (LAA) vs OAK (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 77 pitches.

He nibbled and threw enough variety to redeem himself from his previous outing. Almost. That’s a Philly and the three strikeouts without a Win make this not worthwhile. Totally possible he does enough against Rockie Road (the WHIP was good at least!), but that’s only for deeper leagues.

Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs MIA (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 97 pitches.

WHAAAAT IS GOING ON MY FELLA?! Oh, hi Professor Chaos. ZIP ZAP DOODLY-DOO! Yes. I know. Such Chaos. Can you please give us Freddy back? I miss him.

Brayan Bello (BOS) vs NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.

Ehhhhh, I was hoping this would be the start where Bello would soar and dominate, but the change and slider weren’t at their best. They were fine, just not what they can be. Get ready for some fun against the Mariners up next, though.

Luis L. Ortiz (PIT) @ ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.

Now he’s Dancing With The Disco and keeping the four-seamer upstairs while the cutter sits around the zone with the breaker. Not a fun start and could have been commanded a bit tighter than the loose “just throw strikes” approach, and with the Astros next, I don’t think Ortiz makes a big enough impact to hold onto him.

Gavin Stone (LAD) @ HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 99 pitches.

Not a fun matchup for a Toby. It looked bad on paper, which is always a death sentence for Stone. Ayyyyy. Funny you say that, Oakland is next and Stone should rip them up.

Paul Blackburn (OAK) @ LAA (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 72 pitches.

Wellcome back Paulie Punchouts. We needed another return from the IL SP this week and I’m glad Paulie could step up for us. Can we start him now? Nah. But his next start is…oh. The Dodgers, yup. And even if it were the Mariners I’d be like a Husky and have pause.

Andrew Heaney (TEX) @ TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches.

Blegh. The slider wasn’t as solid and the four-seamer didn’t perform as well upstairs. SO IT GOES. I’m still in against the Cardinals.

Nestor Cortes (NYY) @ BOS (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 81 pitches.

I want Nestor to be a set-and-forget, but this was Fenway and it didn’t line up to be the kind of start you want for Nestor. Treat him like a proper Toby – only start in middling or below starts – and you’ll have a good time. SQUAWK! Of course I’ll tell the people that the Phillies are next and that’s a clear sit. I wouldn’t dream of leaving that out.

Keider Montero (DET) vs MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.

He fills up the zone with sliders decently well, but there isn’t much else there. We’re not ready to jump in.

Sonny Gray (STL) vs WSN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.

I’m sorry Sonny, but that’s your third 5 ER game in four starts and I have to take away the AGA tag for now. I’m still trusting you on the regular, but you’re just a Holly these days.

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs TEX (ND) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.

Low fastballs and a few low breakers got hit + a hung slider got crushed. Uggggggh. Now he gets Baltimore and it’s frustrating. I feel he’s right there and maybe he gets dealt before that Baltimore start to grant him an easier schedule. He’s shelved the changeup. The breakout is coming y’all. Just give him a decent schedule and he SOARS.

Charlie Morton (ATL) @ NYM (L) – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 60 pitches.

Don’t believe his lies. You can’t trust the fella. You just can’t. It’s a short blurb since I wasted some time trying to make the Memento meme and I messed it all up. So this is all you get. DEAL WITH IT.

Kyle Hendricks (CHC) @ KCR (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.

If you consider Kyle as a streamer, think otherwise. You’ll be looking down during your journey and realize this stream was The River Dricks all along. Charon, you fiend!

MacKenzie Gore (WSN) @ STL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.

Okay, Cherry Bomb. Two fastballs in the third in the same spot led to 5 ER off two longballs to left and caused most of the damage, but Gore never looked comfortable on the bump in this one. Few overpowering at-bats and a failure to weave in the secondaries as he has in the past so well. The skills are still in there, but I’d rather be the one missing his second-half breakout than burning my team for the final two months for continuing to trust. You’ve already waited too long. I KNOW.

Kyle Freeland (COL) @ SFG (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches.

Hey, eight strikeouts! He had been on a roll, well, results-wise with a bit of luck helping him in his previous outing, and I’m happy to see 33% CSW with eight punchouts, fueled by some lovely breakers. He still got hit a lot though, and it’s not enough for us to actually jump on board. Just wanted to celebrate the little things.

Drew Thorpe (CHW) vs SEA (L) – 0.2 IP, 8 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 39 pitches.

Ho’ boy. He nearly got out of this unscathed, but a single on a horrible fastball down the pipe with the bases loaded + back-to-back-to back jacks followed. All on the four-seamer. He really should stop throwing that thing and lean on the 87 mph cutter more often. I legit love that cutter and his changeup is still great (I’m shocked he allowed a double off it here). So you had a bad day…

 

Game of the Day 

 

Joe Ryan vs. Tarik Skubal – That’s some good baseball.

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)