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 Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Brandon Young (BAL) vs TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 86 pitches.
The Orioles have been in dire need of life inside their rotation. Trevor Rogers surprised Baltimore when he returned to the IL and now eyes are shifting to Brandon Young, who dazzled against the difficult Toronto offense with 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 86 pitches on Tuesday – and that was including a first frame where he was squeezed, allowing his two sole walks and stranded the bases-loaded on a 3-2 four-seamer at 96 mph. His fortune returned in the sixth with a leadoff single erased on a line-out double play to first, then a generous 2-2 fastball called strike three to end his outing. Why am I telling you all this? Because it felt like a game that could have gone either way.
Young’s skillset is rooted in his 93-96 mph four-seamer that boasts 17″ of vert and can live upstairs. The Jays had trouble with it for a 43% CSW, but his fastball command was best against LHB with too many over the heart of the plate to RHB for my liking. A cutter is the trusty sidekick to RHB at 39% usage, but lacks punch at 85 mph (it doesn’t have enough drop to be a slider) with an unsurprising 1/18 whiffs as a result. LHB see splitters and curves in the mix, which were far better than usual in this one, and I wouldn’t expect them to be regulars at Young’s establishment.
I’d be careful chasing him when he has an opportunity to pitch regularly. Wait, he’s not? The Orioles had a doubleheader and with Eflin back + Bradish on the horizon, Young needs a starter or two to be dealt in order to get his innings every five days. He’s sure to get more chances in the near future and I can see nights where he can have a great feel for the heater and take down a poor offense, but the lack of juice in his secondaries limits his ceiling. He was the Knight is silver armor for the Orioles yesterday, but the ability is still too Young to trust.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) @ CHW (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.
You might be concerned that Luzardo sat 94.8 mph on his heater. Don’t fret! It was reported as a conscious decision – it’s an abnormal season workload for Luzardo and the Phillies are being cautious as we enter August. Meanwhile, he didn’t have his best changeup and sweeper command, though its control was good enough against the weak CrySox offense, leaving us all happy in the end.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ STL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
Okay. SO. Sinkers and four-seamer combined for one out in play over 35 thrown with just a 48% strike rate on 27 sinkers (that’s terrible). HOWEVER, the changeup was far better as a strike pitch and the curveball feel was excellent as it landed down-and-in-town to RHB reliably throughout the start. The slider wasn’t there and limited for good reason as I feel okay with this version. If the changeup and curve are cooking, then the 97/98 mph heaters should be decent enough to get through starts if he heads to another squad with a better defense behind him. Here we go, Sandy.
Lucas Giolito (BOS) @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 101 pitches.
Ayyyy, well done fella! And LOOK AT THIS! Changeup whiffs! 9/29 is gorgeous and we haven’t seen the pitch come alive at all this season. His velocity and extension were down on the four-seamer (93 mph, 6.6 feet = blegh) and the slider returned just 1/19 whiffs with a poor 16% NC Rate, but the changeup! We can’t have it all. No, but at least we’re seeing all the elements exist separately, making it reasonable to think he’s capable of returning starts like these regularly. We keep riding against the Royals next, even if it’s Fenway.
Luis Severino (ATH) vs SEA (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 93 pitches.
Ayyyyy a productive outing in Sacré Verde! The cutter feel is there and I’ll always celebrate that. The sweeper to LHB was so dang hittable, though, and it still scares me, and I don’t think I’ve seen a pitcher go more than double usage to opposite-handed batters on their sweeper before. We’re talking 24% sweepers to LHB with just 10% to RHB. So strange.
Sean Manaea (NYM) @ SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 86 pitches.
The velocity dip of last start didn’t return as he sat 91/92 mph here with the same success as an overwhelming strike pitch. Don’t question, don’t think, just start.
Justin Verlander (SFG) vs PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 94 pitches.
The WHIP is annoying and five frames without a Win makes us all a grumpy Pingu, but the 1.80 ERA with seven strikeouts secures the Dusty Donut. The heater was fantastic upstairs at 95 mph (stupid solo shot) and the slider, despite 5/23 whiffs and a 70% strike rate struggled to get down plenty, leading to a trio of hits. That’s the difference, really. Roll him out there again, of course.
Bailey Falter (PIT) @ SFG (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 70 pitches.
This is the last start we’ll see Falter in a Pirates uniform…right?! Why are you looking at me like that. Oh come on, Ray(s). You know you want some of this. Four walks and a HAISTBMBWT?! Sure sure, and you can fix him! Please let me go.
Ryan Bergert (SDP) vs NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
He did his thing as best he could and he should be happy it was just one run in four frames. There’s some fun in the 19″ vert four-seamer at a slightly flat attack angle, but he needs to elevate it better, while the slider was tough to wrangle. He’s a bit of a Young Gun and I wonder if he gets dealt to a team that can let him start every five days the rest of the year and in 2026.
Casey Mize (DET) vs ARI (ND) – 1.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 59 pitches.
Oh wow. Despite a good NC Rate under 9%, Mize couldn’t find his control, needing 59 pitches for just five outs (and one error, but he was already deep into his pitch count). At least it wasn’t an atrocity and we’ll throw him out there next time. He was at 95.8 mph, so no, this wasn’t an injury thing. Wait, that’s high! Average velocities are generally higher in the early frames when they aren’t gassed. Ah. Right.
Logan Allen (CLE) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 113 pitches.
You hear that? It’s the sound of satisfied managers when they see Rockie Road on the schedule. Way to keep the changeup and four-seamer separate and push over 110 pitches to get through the seventh. Now back to the wire with the Mets next.
Max Fried (NYY) vs TBR (W) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 111 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. The defense let him down in the first for a pair of unearned runs. I love the cutter focus he’s had and that Golden Goal should make y’all feel fine about his blister concerns.
Quinn Priester (MIL) vs CHC (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 86 pitches.
Hmmmm. He was pulled in the sixth with two on and was saved by the pen, avoiding a what would have been a disastrous ego hit to the Priester faithful. My stance is unwavering. The cutter and sinker combo can work, but he rarely commands them well enough for me to believe in its sustainability, as his hit total reflects their locations over the plate. That said, Atlanta is weaker now without Acuña and the Pirates follow. I guess we’re still going for at least two more.
Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs LAD (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
Mmmmmm that’s lovely. His changeup in this game was a great example of a pitch not having good results (54% strike rate, 1/13 whiffs), but its existence just under the zone allowed the rest of his arsenal to thrive above. The curveball is getting strikeouts against RHB again, y’all. IT’S HAPPENING.
Eric Lauer (TOR) @ BAL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 77 pitches.
It’s pretty mid and that’s okay if you were in a situation that demanded a Lauer stream. Just 3/27 four-seamer whiffs is more in line with its quality, though that was a product of its lack of elevation more than anything. Speaking of elevation, Coors is next and I’m not interested, assuming Lauer is still a rotation piece this time next week.
Patrick Corbin (TEX) @ LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 103 pitches.
Look at you, you wonderful man. This was pristine Corbin command against a near exclusive RHB lineup with cutters and sinkers gloveside, sliders down-and-in, and 20% changeups down-and-armside, plus—wait. 20% changeups? From Corbin?! WHAT. He’s gone past 10% just twice this season and to see the pitch featured 21% of the time to RHB with elite feel is astounding. Huh. This might be the best start I’ve seen from Corbin since pre-2020. Seriously. And now he heads to @TEA…
Jason Alexander (HOU) vs WSN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.
He’s a changeup-focused arm who was able to keep it low for 5/23 whiffs and his sinker’s absurd -1″ drop (yes, negative) allowed him to churn strikes with a 79% clip and survive to RHB. There’s something there, especially paired with a sweeper featuring 16/17″ of bend. It feels like a Landen Roupp build with a bigger emphasis on the changeup and worse breaking ball feel.
Michael Soroka (WSN) @ HOU (ND) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 74 pitches.
Oh wow. The curveball that was supposed to take over? He had two that looked good. TWO. The pitch had a 32% NC Rate across 19 thrown, which is a pre-evolution Haunter and I’m honestly shocked this wasn’t worse. He was also down two ticks on everything, but there was no mention of an injury and more of an off-day. Let’s hope so as he would normally be a great play hosting the Athletics and heading to San Francisco next – if he’s not pitching elsewhere, of course.
Charlie Morton (BAL) vs TOR (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 100 pitches.
Low CSW on the curve, 94/95 mph on the heater, and a VVVPQS against a strong offense. But a Win! That’s one Dusty Donut and now it’s the Phillies. I’m not sure I want that.
Seth Lugo (KCR) vs ATL (W) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.
Uhhhh, that’s a Philly from a VVVPQS, but a dub is a dub, eh? Blame his lack of curveball feel for 21% CSW while his cutter + heaters returned a near 20% NC Rate combined. Be happy you got something of value on an off day from Lugo.
Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) vs TEX (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 105 pitches.
Two outs from a VVPQS with five strikeouts? Naaaaah. No thanks. That’s a man getting Singled Out with a hittable heater at 1/39 whiffs. Plenty of foul balls on the pitch made it worse and it was a struggle. He’s a HIPSTER, but at least he didn’t go 0/30 slider whiffs again (6/31 is much more in line).
Sonny Gray (STL) vs MIA (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 91 pitches.
THAT’S THREE STRAIGHT, NICK! Whoa whoa whoa, no need to barge in like a deer lost in the city. Poor fella, this was a two-run shot and Singled Out with great sweepers, four-seamers, and curveballs (save for the hook’s HR). But the Marlins! I know, and now it’s the Dodgers and Cubs. It’s still probable that the sun will come out tomorrow next week. The skills are still there, even at 91 mph on the four-seamer.
Erick Fedde (ATL) @ KCR (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 78 pitches.
Is that what you want, Atlanta? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?!
Tyler Glasnow (LAD) @ CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.
Uhhhhh, I gave you AGA. HOW COULD YOU. The new sinker was thrown maybe a little too much at a low 48% strike rate, though I understand why he’s trying to make it an even split (keep em on their toes!). The slider tried its best but was hung aplenty, and the curve went 2/8 strikes. Yeah, this was terrible. Maybe I shouldn’t have given him that tag yet…
Colin Rea (CHC) @ MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
Awwwwww. His fastballs were spotted well, but the splitter and slider let him down. As long as his rotation spot sticks (Brown should get the bump if the Cubs acquire a starter), I’m still starting him for the Reds Carpet, @STL, and Pirates up next.
Joe Boyle (TBR) @ NYY (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 77 pitches.
Womp womp. Absolutely wild to see Boyle go 52% slider at 92 mph, though it found the zone 50% of the time and was more reliable than the heater. That said, he didn’t locate it super well inside the zone and his four-seamer’s 48% strike rate was too tough to mask. I like the slider emphasis as a stabilizer, but he needs to show me more consistency with the four-seamer before I’d jump in, especially with the Dodgers and Yankees (again) up next.
Pierson Ohl (MIN) vs BOS (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 72 pitches.
I did a video breakdown of this debut. The jist? He throws a super hittable 92 mph heater that he commands generally well, with a disgusting 80 mph changeup. The curve was a decent assistant to LHB, while the 86 mph cutter is lackluster and can have a rare moment to a RHB. Ohl had a trio of three-ball counts where the Sawx punished him for an extra-base hit as Ohl refused to nibble out of the zone, including Story’s two-run shot on a 3-2 changeup down the pipe. It’s hard to buy into Pierson due to his lack of support around the slowball, but if he can find some velocity over time to make his fastball a bit more effective and create a harder breaker that can live consistently in the zone for strikes, then we’re talking.
Easton Lucas (TOR) @ BAL (L) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 70 pitches.
He was throwing almost two ticks harder (that’s cool!) and leaning upstairs with 16-17″ of vert and a good approach down-and-gloveside with his slider. But alas, the Orioles had different plans. We don’t go after it for now, but I do wonder if he somehow finds starts on another squad as a trade chip or in need for the Jays later this year. He may be something of intrigue.
Jonathan Cannon (CHW) vs PHI (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
The cannons arrived, but not for me. The Phillies blasted a pair of two-run shots and the four-seamer wasn’t the overwhelming whiff pitch that we saw last time, though 4/20 is still a strong clip. Weird. Anyway, now’s not the time, obviously.
Logan Evans (SEA) @ ATH (L) – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
If I’m the Mariners, I’m ensuring Evans doesn’t get the next start with some acquisition later at the deadline to fill this spot. Evans doesn’t do enough with his arsenal, even if he’s a little better at spotting that sinker than previously.
Tanner Gordon (COL) @ CLE (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 71 pitches.
Yeaaaaah. Sounds about right.
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) @ DET (L) – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 11 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
Oooof. His changeup was demolished for a pair of HRs, his sinker command was terrible to RHB, and where’s the four-seamer?! You can’t trust Pfaadt right now.
Game of the Day
Ryne Nelson vs. Chris Paddack – I love watching Ryne pitch and Paddack makes his debut as a Detroit Tiger.
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)
