Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: A River of Hope

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 UT questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.

River Ryan (LAD) @ HOU (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.

Have you picked up River Ryan yet? Stop reading this and do that now. His second start in the bigs was dominant via 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches, where he walked his first two batters, gathered himself, made huge pitches when he needed to, and surrendered his sole run after getting pulled with a man on third on the very next pitch. HE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED IT.

He has a legit four-seamer. He has a legit curveball. He has a legit slider. He has a legit changeup…that shows up 1/6 times, BUT LET’S STAY ON POINT. Ryan had a much better approach going BSB with some filthy hooks in the zone, sliders that made many hitters look dumb down-and-gloveside, and would you look at that, he was able to handle 90+ pitches in a start.

Now he gets Oakland and I’m excited to see what we get. He has the stuff and now the command & approach are catching up. Let’s roll.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Bailey Ober (MIN) @ DET (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.

Yesssss. His changeup was brilliant, returning 12/31 whiffs and a 52% CSW, while the heater and cutter played their parts. That’s a 3.17 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 27% strikeout rate across 19 games since his horrific opening outing and it feels like AGA should be awarded soon. How about two more and we’ll call it a deal? I can’t award it after the Tigers here and the White Sox next. That doesn’t seem right.

Hunter Greene (CIN) @ TBR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 100 pitches.

Uhhh, should we consider the AGA tag for Greene? I’ll put him in Tier Three at the very least this week. He deserves it, y’all know he does.

Yilber Diaz (ARI) vs PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 79 pitches.

Huh. His only hit of the game was off the very first pitch, then it was nibbling around with sliders and curves while the four-seamer tried to steal strikes when it could. The seven strikeouts + four walks line suggests “effectively wild,” but I saw a Pirates team not knowing what to do with the breakers and not taking advantage of the 95-97 mph heater. That’s hard to do at that velocity, Nick. Very true. There could be something to this, but the General Disarray has me wary, especially with the Pirates lineup helping him find his way through five. Then again, he gets the Pirates a second time and that could be more of the same. I’d be cautious.

Reynaldo López (ATL) @ NYM (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 57 pitches.

He left this one early with forearm discomfort and is getting an MRI. Oh no. Yeah. It has been an unbelievable ride y’all. A 2.06 ERA across 19 starts and 104.2 IP. We didn’t deserve you. Nick, it’s not guaranteed he’s hitting the IL and missing the rest of the season. Suuuuuure, but you know. Yeah…

Shawn Armstrong (TBR) vs CIN (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 29 pitches.

Nothing quite like a bullpen game on a hot Sunday. Nothing? Yeah, that disappointment at the park is unparalleled.

Erik Miller (SFG) vs COL (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 11 pitches.

Why not two? A second bullpen game, this one to help Jordan Hicks transition to the pen as he tossed 35 pitches. What a ride it’s been, Hicks. I’m sad to see the velocity didn’t return at the lower pitch count, sitting just below 94 mph. That ain’t it.

José Berríos (TOR) vs TEX (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 100 pitches.

Berríos allowed a 52% ICR in this one and got away with it. Remember, for all the times I’ve lamented the poor fortune of pitchers performing well, luck goes both ways. This isn’t a return to form as much as I want it to be.

Tobias Myers (MIL) vs MIA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 75 pitches.

His sole run was a HR to the first batter, after which he cruised through four. That’s baseball for ya. I’m a little curious why he didn’t come out for the fifth at 75 pitches, but at the very least, he’s still in rhythm as a Neckbeard and we keep it going against the Nationals.

Alex Faedo (DET) vs MIN (L) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 45% CSW, 29 pitches.

He opened for Kenta Maeda, who returned 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 83 pitches. That’s as good of a line as you could hope for from Maeda, catalyzed by excellent splitters right at the knees and below. Still can’t trust him, though. Sorry.

Mitch Keller (PIT) @ ARI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 97 pitches.

Ayyyy fun stuff, Keller. That’s your fourth straight start of 2 ER or fewer, though you’ve only collected 18 strikeouts in that time. It’s hard to deny the 3.30 ERA on the season and a recent stretch like this, so have at it and keep starting him. Let’s hope the 1.21 WHIP doesn’t get worse.

DJ Herz (WSN) @ STL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 79 pitches.

For a guy with 14/15″ of vert (roughly average) and poor extension at just 93/94 mph, he sure knows how to get the most out of his heater. There has to be some deception I’m missing on the fastball given its good-not-immaculate location that propelled his fastball to return a 31% SwStr via 15/49 whiffs. What. Yeah, it’s bananas. There’s your King Cole, despite the changeup and slider returning 21% CSW between them, and it solidifies Herz as a Cherry Bomb. You really don’t know when he’ll have starts like this.

Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ BOS (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 25 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 105 pitches.

This is the new Rodón and y’all better start believing it. A Gallows Pole with 11 four-seamer whiffs and 9 changeup whiffs is divine as he’s using the secondaries incredibly well to ensure batters aren’t jumping all over the heater. He should coast against the Jays.

Bryce Miller (SEA) @ CHW (W) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.

I’d want a little better than a PQS from Bryce against the White Sox, but you got a Win and a flirtation with a new secondary! Yes! The curve went 4/10 whiffs and maybe there’s something there that Miller can latch onto moving forward. He threw all but one of them in the sixth and seventh. Huh. It’s a tight curve at 84/85 mph and I wonder if he started to realize that it could be a legit weapon…when he doesn’t hang it and nearly allow a HR off it (to Benintendi, no less). I dig that pitch a lot and I hope we see him use it from the first inning next time out. There could be something to this.

Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) vs LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 97 pitches.

Hey, that’s pretty dang good from the Pasta Pirate. We’ll take a PQS from him all day and a 36% CSW speaks to his high strike rate with four-seamers and secondaries. The only problem? He faced the Dodgers. I have to wonder if he’ll have it in him against the Rays next, though I’d likely wait to see if he can keep it going there before pulling the trigger.

Miles Mikolas (STL) vs WSN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 89 pitches.

A quiet PQS that helps none in standard Win leagues. Yep, that’s Mikolas.

Javier Assad (CHC) @ KCR (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.

Assad’s cutters and sliders were far better this time around, landing gloveside often and helping him return a PQS with solid marks. I was never truly “in” before the injury and those asking if it’s time to pick him up, I’d say that’s up to you. He gets the Cardinals next, making for a decent experimental start, but it’s not something I’d be leaning into. He needs the HOTEL on his side + proper rhythm with all his pitches, including the sinker that was a bit mediocre here.

Tanner Houck (BOS) vs NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 97 pitches.

It’s not great, but at least he toughed it out for a PQS while he didn’t have his best stuff against an elite offense in Fenway. That splitter can’t go 1/20 whiffs in the future. Houck is a Holly and will be moving down The List accordingly this week.

Albert Suárez (BAL) vs SDP (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 83 pitches.

This may be the end of Suárez in the rotation with the Orioles possibly making another move at the deadline or Chayce + Cade forcing the issue. We had some good times, Albert.

Kolby Allard (PHI) vs CLE (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 63 pitches.

Oh Dralla. It’s interesting to see you again. Yes, I know, a HAISTBMBWT?!, what a thoughtful welcome gift. I wonder who replaces you before the Seattle start…

Austin Gomber (COL) @ SFG (L) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.

It’s just not enough right now. I doubt the Rockies would deal Gomber, but I’ll continue to hope they do to hopefully find a way to extract what used to be a super fun arm. Colorado just doesn’t help spin guys like Gomber. But Márquez! Okay, decent point. I dunno, I just want to see him hit the reset button…?

Joey Cantillo (CLE) @ PHI (ND) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 75 pitches.

Per usual in an MLB debut, Cantillo allowed a HR to the first batter he faced on a 2-0 heater down the pipe. He allowed a second longball to Schwarber in the third, tallying all three runs, but that’s not the real story here. Cantillo sits low 90s with his heater, pairing it with a legit high 70s changeup and decent low 80s slider. I definitely see a Toby in the future here, but for now, it’s a little rough around the edges with a heater that has elite extension and decent iVB, but likely will continue to get hit around unless he has pristine command. Cantillo’s walk rates suggest that reality is still a distance away.

Garrett Crochet (CHW) vs SEA (L) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 64 pitches.

Aces gonna have his final start in purgatory. The White Sox limited Crochet, who labored through each frame despite having his normal stuff. It’s been a weird two weeks managing Crochet, and I  expect it to change completely by his next outing after the trade deadline clarity.

José Soriano (LAA) vs OAK (ND) – 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 62 pitches.

Blegh. He got Singled Out here, but the Athletics weren’t missing anything Soriano threw. He’s a streaming option that failed us here and could redeem himself against the Mets up next. Some days the sinker cooks, some days it doesn’t.

Cole Ragans (KCR) vs CHC (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.

Aces gonna Careful, Icarus, allowing two runs in the sixth (one after he left), ruining what was another strong night on the bump in a flash. By the way, why just five cutters? Sure, three of your first four hits were off the cutter, but two of them never left the infield grass and the other wasn’t elevated enough. At least the changeup is still fantastic and the four-seamer…well that’s sitting 95 mph still and at least it’s not 93/94 mph for the whole game. Yes, I miss the 97 mph average heater and definitely feel he needed that heat to prevent damage at times here, but he’s still a strong pitch you expect success from every game. He’ll be in Tier 2 on The List today, but still an ace.

David Peterson (NYM) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 88 pitches.

Seven strikeouts are a welcome sight with a 50% CSW slider + four-seamers well elevated and still managing to get a fair number of strikes…but that’s it. It’s often strange when I can’t quite decide if I’m okay with a pitcher or not and Peterson is simply…there. I can see how it could come together, but he hasn’t displayed it yet this year and it wouldn’t be wise to believe he will tomorrow. The strikeouts aren’t going to stick like this, save for rare moments. Like Herz but worse.

Kyle Tyler (MIA) @ MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 75 pitches.

Remember kids, don’t trust people with two first names. Gerrit Cole? Joe Ryan? IT’S A BROAD RULE.

Jonathan Hernández (TEX) @ TOR (L) – 2.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 8% CSW, 36 pitches.

Whoa. With Michael Lorenzen tossing 40 pitches and getting the early hook on Saturday, the Rangers decided to use him again for 55 pitches the very next day, which actually worked out with 1 ER across four frames. What a weird weekend. If he’s not dealt, then it’s the Red Sox up next, taking advantage of Thursday’s off day. I’m not too encouraged by that.

Randy Vásquez (SDP) @ BAL (L) – 2.0 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 63 pitches.

That checks out. The Orioles are tough and Vásquez’s run was unsustainable. Maybe he will bounce back against Rockie Road later this week.

Osvaldo Bido (OAK) @ LAA (L) – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 79 pitches.

If you reversed this start and his prior against Houston, the world would make just a little more sense. We’d still avoid Bido, but at least it would feel According to plan. That’s all we really want. Happiness is just expectation management. You don’t really believe that, right? Ehhhh, a little? Maybe?

 

Game of the Day

 

Luis Gil vs. Zack Wheeler – Yessssss. Such a fun matchup.

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 Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X)