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.
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs TBR (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 93 pitches.
It hasn’t been fun rostering Flaherty across the last month. 21 ER allowed in his last four outings (15 ER in back-to-back starts, yuck) with 14 walks does a whole lot to induce rage drops from fantasy managers, but the signs have been there for Flaherty to climb out of the rubble. Despite allowing a longball in the first off a terrible 1-2 four-seamer, Flaherty produced a strong performance against the Rays, and gave us some much needed comfort: 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 93 pitches (ND).
Sure, a few more hits than you’d like, but this is the guy you want to see. His curveball is absurd with a 52% CSW and 9/27 whiffs, demolishing both LHB and RHB. The four-seamer is getting plenty of called strikes as it sneaks over the plate, and the slider…well there’s a small problem that I hope gets fixed.
Flaherty has some odd tendencies in two-strike counts. He favors his four-seamer a bit too often, especially against LHB where it has a poor putaway rate well under 20% (just look at that Aranda HR, after all). Meanwhile, his slider has underperformed as a strikeout offering to RHB and I’m not exactly sure why (mostly due to a lack of feel down-and-away at times and should be corrected over time). Either way, it’s a small problem that the curve has stepped up to fix (just throw that thing. Always.) and it was a great decision here after the initial problem in the first.
The curve is great. The slider is great. The four-seamer generally does its job of stealing strikes, akin to former Cleveland stars of “Two elite secondaries + a fastball we hope doesn’t get crushed.” You want this. Expect a far better second half than the disappointments of June.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) @ LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 72 pitches.
Eovaldi, don’t you dare leave us again. The fact that you’re still getting stretched out (72 pitches) and still produced a studly six-inning line warms every atrium in my heart.
Will Warren (NYY) vs SEA (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
The fastball command returned (phew) and the sweeper was successful, but not filthy. He focused on keeping it more inside the zone and it froze batters on both sides of the plate for 8/22 called strikes. Sadly, the curve and changeup only had one whiff and one strikeout each and not helpful otherwise, but we’re back on the path of ascension. Those secondaries are destined to return far more than 2/38 whiffs per game.
Nick Pivetta (SDP) vs ARI (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 104 pitches.
The man can’t be stopped. No HRs = a great time at the park for Pivetta, even when the sweeper returned a 43% strike rate, but worked in its rare appearances to RHB. His four-seamer + curve approach is as good as he’s ever had it.
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs CHC (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 61 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! That’s a Gold Star for SWR, who I had zero expectations for with a date against the mighty Cubs, especially with a terribly short leash. I’m still not seeing enough growth to consider him after this, but I’m glad you had a wonderful Birthday Party.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ SDP (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 77 pitches.
Kelly ain’t gonna win Prom King or Queen, but he sure is a crown jewel on our fantasy teams. Thanks for what you do, fella.
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) vs LAD (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 12 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 91 pitches.
Hahahaha. Allowing a HR to Ohtani to lead off the game (on a poor 0-2 curveball after one of the filthiest curveballs you’ll ever see at 90 mph) and then going six shutout with pure dominance with a Golden Goal against one of the best offenses around was an absolute joy (even if the Dodgers have been cold lately). I said in the pre-season that Jay Mis was a Top 20 SP if he throws strikes. He’s actually Top 10, if not Top 5. We feel it in our bones that he’s deserving of AGA and yet we can’t forget the volatility of his last outing. But yeah, you have to start him regardless now. It’s just too fun, after all.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ CHW (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 78 pitches.
That’s some lovely work against a terrible offense, but HAISTBMBWT?! You couldn’t spin one of those curves a little better for a punchout? Why are you the way that you are? He could get the Giants in Toronto after the ASB and I guess that’s okay. I don’t like leaning on his sinker/cutter/curve combo, though – that cutter went 29% strikes here with a 36% NC Rate across fourteen thrown. Oh dear.
Jeffrey Springs (ATH) vs ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.
Oh look, some sunshine and rainbows for Springs, due to the four-seamer getting taken inside the zone with regularity (30% called strikes is absurd for his hittable heater) and the changeup returning a 47% chase rate. Koufax, I don’t know why you chose Springs on this day, but I guess you do you.
Robbie Ray (SFG) vs PHI (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 99 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He served a Philly against Philly (with some Careful, Icarus in the sixth, fortunately both inherited runners were stranded) and this was a start where I would have been fine with a higher four-seamer usage (39%) given his curve, change, and slider all returning low strike marks, especially the 47% clip on his changeup and 53% on his typically reliable slider. Thanks for still giving us production, Ray.
Eury Pérez (MIA) @ CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
Yesssss. We saw something new from Pérez here – a sweeper mostly served to RHB and it was fantastic – 4/11 whiffs and a pair of strikeouts with just a pair that spun out of his hand poorly. Sign me up for that. Against LHB, I’m surprised the curveball was featured just three times, though all three were non-competitive up-and-away, out of the zone. He’s still trying to make the changeup work (it’s not) and the slider was the major helper while the four-seamer continued to be the dominant pitch that it is. He really doesn’t need the best secondaries, just one at least to complement the fastball for each side of the plate. The slider & sweeper work for RHB, now just figure out one for LHB and we are golden. And look at that, 88 pitches! We’re cruising, y’all.
Taijuan Walker (PHI) @ SFG (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 63 pitches.
Oh wow. You actually helped out the Phillies, even if just for four innings. I’m happy for Walker, I really am. I hope he had some friends around him for his Birthday Party.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs COL (W) – 9.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 107 pitches.
Well how about this. Rockie Road helps the medicine go down, but I have to give massive props to Bello for attacking RHB incessantly with his sinker. We’re talking 58% usage of a 68% zone rate sinker (whoa) that surrendered just 2/34 hits. That’s how you set up a 6/19 whiff sweeper for 53% CSW and three strikeouts. Meanwhile, the attack against LHB is still suspect in my view. Sure, the changeup had a trio of strikeouts with 5/14 whiffs, but a horrific 36% NC Rate, while the four-seamer was featured 43% of the time and Bello fought with it constantly to land upstairs. I still don’t see a truly reliable arm here and I wish I could say something different. I’m not ready to tell you the sinker will always perform like this, nor will this LHB attack work against better teams. With the Rays in Fenway + potentially @CHC and Dodgers in Fenway on the horizon, I’m fine letting Bello sit on someone else’s wire. Fun stream here, though.
Mitch Keller (PIT) @ KCR (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.
Ayyyy, way to come through! He featured 24% sliders to both sides of the plate and I’m all for that – really anything but hyper deadzone fastball usage, especially when the slider had a 0% NC Rate. I wonder if you can push that toward 30-35% usage…
Seth Lugo (KCR) vs PIT (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
What, just five strikeouts now? YOU’RE SLACKING. But seriously, thanks for being the reliable Holly you are. Does he get enough love from the community for his 2.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 101 frames this year?
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) @ MIL (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
He deserved this loss after big-timing Misiorowski. The old vets should be excited and proping up the new star arms for the next generation, not calling them “that guy who twisted his ankle.” Oh, and I guess the slider was good down in this one and Koufax helped him with the rest. I’d rather not chase the former TATIAGA unless I needed Wins. Don’t expect Kershaw to last through August, by the way.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) @ MIN (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
Ehhhhh, alright. This is obviously a helpful line, but HAISTBMBWT?! It’s not like whiffs weren’t there, he simply couldn’t put em away as efficiently as we’ve seen in the past, rooted in a whopping 63% zone rate on his splitter. Gotta get that bad boy down. They’ll return, don’t worry.
Ryan Pepiot (TBR) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.
The three walks stick out and yet, this is a fantastic line. Thanks Pep, I appreciate the effectively wild cutter that you made adjustments on during the outing, and look at this! A sinker to RHB! It went 43% strikes. Okay, fair. Really odd to see Pepiot throw 13 sinkers and 8 four-seamers to RHB, but then again, it wasn’t the best commanded four-seamer we’ve seen from him, and it’s a new look for something low to RHB with the high heater. Not sure I love it yet, especially with these chaotic sliders in the mix, too. We’re not at his final form yet. Definitely not.
Brandon Young (BAL) vs NYM (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 66 pitches.
Ayyyy that’s a solid outing! It’s not the Brandon of old, but the Brandon of Young with the Mets sending many LHB to the plate, forced to endure his fantastic changeup that returned 6/20 whiffs and 80% strikes…and a longball. Paired with a 94/95 mph four-seamer at 18″ of vert and a 1.1 HAVAA, there is some intrigue here akin to a Paddack-type, especially with a RHB attack that is highly suspect. I’d be careful trusting this against any non-LHB rampant lineups, and even then, I’m not sure he can avoid the Shag Rug consistently. Just 66 pitches here, too. I don’t think I’d stream him against the Marlins on Sunday.
Sonny Gray (STL) vs WSN (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 70 pitches.
Sure, we’ll take that. He didn’t have the greatest sinker and four-seamer, but the sweeper continues to be the studly putaway pitch against LHB that we saw last season. Keep being Sonny.
Kyle Freeland (COL) @ BOS (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.
Freeland nearly took full advantage of a start outside Coors, granting a Philly and Dusty Donut in a Careful, Icarus. Five shutout frames before that tough sixth, with both baserunners scoring after getting pulled. Get me out of this place. I know Freeland, I know.
Joey Cantillo (CLE) @ HOU (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 84 pitches.
Many good things here: The pitch count is above 80, his four-seamer went 41% CSW, and his changeup went 11/30 whiffs. The bad? He failed to execute pitches when he needed to, which led to a few walks, allowed the first two batters on in the fifth, got the hook, and both scored, and he had to grind for many of his strikeouts. You should be encouraged by this one and jump all over his start against the White Sox on Sunday.
Jake Irvin (WSN) @ STL (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 98 pitches.
Womp womp. Just 14% curveball usage at 29% strikes should tell you everything. No, he’s not feeling it.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) @ NYY (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
Blegh. Sure, the Yankees, but a Careful, Icarus with a three-run shot from Stanton in the sixth inning. Come on Gilbert, we know you’re incredible, can you please be actually be incredible? Stop floating the slider and go BSB already with heater/breaker. YEESH.
Clay Holmes (NYM) @ BAL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 87 pitches.
You see this line and wonder if it’s time to drop The Adobe. Thing is, this start was way better than the previous ones where he struggled to find sinker strikes and a secondary to back it up. In fact, this was a Careful, Icarus with just 1 ER through his first five before disaster struck in the sixth with his first four baserunners reaching. This is the Holmes from April/May and…Suitman whispers into my ear. Oh. OHHHH. Right. Sean Manaea is returning and the plan is to piggyback him with Holmes for the next start and possibly a few more after the break. Okay, you can drop Holmes. I’m not saying he’s donezo and not worth your time at all, but it makes sense for the Mets to lower his workload for about a month, then rely on him more in late August/September as they make their playoff push. I also don’t believe you need Holmes to win in September, making this not the stash play you want. First Raz, now Holmes. Dang workload management.
José Soriano (LAA) vs TEX (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 82 pitches.
We saw three stellar starts from Soriano, a terrible outing, another gem, then this. That’s 50/50 across his last four, here with just 47% strikes on the sinker and a 13% NC Rate. Yuck. What’s strange to me is his reluctance to feature his curve against LHB despite needing all the help. At least he turned to it more against RHB, but that sinker was unruly and simply terrible but still featured it 57% of the time to LHB and 34% usage to RHB. He’s a HIPSTER and I’ll be better about labeling him as such moving forward.
Aaron Civale (CHW) vs TOR (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 79 pitches.
At least you know he’s not there yet and you can avoid him. So thanks for that…?
Hunter Brown (HOU) vs CLE (ND) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.
Aces gonna…oh come on. Couldn’t you wait a little longer after I gave you the AGA tag to have your dramatic regression outing? His heater was a bit of the problem with a low 57% strike rate that forced him to do too much with his other offerings, including the rare changeup and cutter to LHB, both of which allowed a HR across ten thrown between them (1/1 on cutters to LHB…). Obviously we hand-wave it for a game, especially with 97 mph still present. Let’s move on.
Didier Fuentes (ATL) @ ATH (L) – 1.0 IP, 8 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 40 pitches.
Okay, OKAY. This is going to take some time. At least it was a 42% CSW fastball that was generally upstairs…? NICK. NOT NOW. Fine fine fine, just consider him in dynasty, THAT’S ALL. Spit it out. AndAlsoMaybeHeClicksInTheSecondHalfIfAtlantaTradesStartersAndHeIsInTheRotation.
Nick Martinez (CIN) vs MIA (L) – 5.0 IP, 10 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 85 pitches.
Ah. When Martinez doesn’t have a good changeup, things go south real fast. Especially when it’s a 41% strike curve and sub 60% strike four-seamer. Yikes. He’s still a deep streaming option, but maybe take a break for a few, eh? But it’s Rockie Road next. You know, that can still be good. Off days exist, people.
Game of the Day
Cam Schlittler vs. Seattle Mariners – It’s an MLB debut and I’m stoked for it. 97 mph, a trio of breakers he throws for strikes, a good situation on a what should be a winning team. Give me something gooooood.
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 Steven King/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
