Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: Miller Blight

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.

Bobby Miller (LAD) @ PHI (L) – 4.0 IP, 9 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches.

We really need to have another chat about Bobby Miller. Nick, you believe in him too much. He’s washed. He’s terrible. I SHOULD HAVE DROPPED HIM. You may be right and it’s hard to argue against 4.0 IP, 9 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches. And yet…I’m not sure. NICK. PLEASE.

Look, it would be so easy to just give up and no one would be against me for saying it. But I don’t care about y’all’s emotions dangit! Sorry. I’m here to tell y’all how I see it and this…okay it wasn’t great.

Here’s the situation we’re in. Miller A) Is still throwing 96+ mph B) Pitches for the Dodgers C) Has a decent narrative of needing to shake off rust D) Gets Detroit next E) Had to deal with a full-strength Phillies lineup and F) Was stupid good last year. Also, watching this start had me rolling my eyes at times, from poor luck to not executing the right pitch when he needed to, and also throwing some terrible ones that burned him.

And the end of the day, throw all your emotions away. Step away from this and treat this moment removed from the 9 ER game. It happened. Accept it. Do you truly believe he will do the same thing against the Tigers in Los Angeles on Sunday? He’s likely still hurt. Then they’ll put him on the IL and you save the roster spot. I dunno, I’m sure I sound bananas saying all of this, and yet, the risk/reward of at least holding Miller for the Tigers start seems to be still in our favor. Do what you want, I’m holding.

UPDATE: The Dodgers optioned Miller shortly after I published this. Welp, that’s a tough call as a stash play or not. I’d stash him in H2H, and let him loose in roto. Wow.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:

 

Jose Quintana (NYM) vs WSN (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 103 pitches.

I’m telling y’all, the dude is locked in. The command is exactly what you want and has been for three straight outings, replicating his great run from last season. Keep starting him with Rockie Road next. GO GO GO. Vargas Rule this one til it’s done.

Blake Snell (SFG) vs TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 73 pitches.

The man threw strikes and that’s great. His heater came with elite extension + 17″ of iVB at 95/96 mph, while the Neckbeard approach was alive and well as he – get this – sat gloveside with his heater. I’ve been asking him to do that for AGES. I wonder if something was tweaked or if it was just one of those days. Here’s to hoping he replicates it and can get a few more whiffs on the breakers across 80+ pitches in his next outing against the Twins.

Josh Fleming (PIT) @ MIL (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 24 pitches.

Oh hi Fleming, didn’t see you there. I was too focused on Quinn Priester, who blew us away for 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 95 pitches. Yeah, that’s worthy of a Gold Star and a likely Birthday Party, as he went the Brady Singer method of sinker/slider for each sides of CSW. It’s not something we’ve seen with any consistency from Priester before and I wouldn’t bank on a replication…then again, it’s the White Sox on Sunday. It’s a massive gamble, but there’s obviously a ceiling to hit now.

Ryan Pepiot (TBR) vs NYY (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 101 pitches.

The changeup was dope. The four-seamer was upstairs. The slider did whatever in the zone. Much better than his last start and I truly hope I can quell all the Cherry Bomb whispers in my head. It’s tough to do so while in the turbulence and I’m personally believing in Pepiot stabilizing in full before August. Keep it going kiddo.

Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs LAD (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 76 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. He was pulled early with a back injury that apparently had been bothering him for weeks. Totally messed him up, clearly. Great timing with the ASB, though, so let’s expect him back by the end of the next week or around the 22nd.

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) @ SFG (ND) – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 13 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 100 pitches.

GUESS WHAT. Four-seamers crushed at the top of the zone. Sliders were present and competitive for 31% CSW. Curves did their normal thing at 61% strikes. Changeups…were the least thrown pitch. HE’S HERE Y’ALL. Thank you, Giants, you were everything we needed you to be. Kikuchi’s four-seamer wasn’t as flat as previous outings, but a 1.6 HAVAA is still elite. What a glorious day.

Ronel Blanco (HOU) vs MIA (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 87 pitches.

A bit of a weird one from Blanco as he barely got enough of the zone at times, including some lofted sliders that definitely didn’t mean to land there. And yet, he dominated the Marlins with his changeup and said sliders, while avoiding mistakes on the heater. That’s the Blanco blueprint.

Jameson Taillon (CHC) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 88 pitches.

What what WHAT?! That’s three straight strong outings from Taillon, here against the first strong offense of the stretch. His command was on point, nailing cutters and sinkers to LHB, leaning into his breaker and heaters well against RHB, and overall looking as collected as we’ve seen him. It’s time to jump at this for the Cardinals next time out and hope it lasts for a while.

Trevor Rogers (MIA) @ HOU (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 107 pitches.

Ayyyy, he survived! It’s not the greatest of results and if this was the “reward” for the obvious risk, you wouldn’t have chanced it. That said, his command is better and I can see how he could take advantage of weaker teams if we can trust it…but the stuff isn’t all that great and it’s Cin City next. That’s not the Jolly Rogers outing.

Chris Sale (ATL) @ ARI (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 100 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Sale’s four-seamer and slider blended over the middle of the plate in this one + his changeup went just 50% strikes, and yet he still dominated. That’s our lanky stud.

Logan Gilbert (SEA) @ SDP (W) – 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 87 pitches.

Aces gonna not have his best cutter and slider but still take down the Padres. Gotta love that 37% CSW as there was some Dancing With The Disco here, though just one four-seamer whiff is a bit unnerving. Is he just a fantastic Holly instead of a proper ace? Maybe…

Max Scherzer (TEX) @ LAA (ND) – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.

Two solo shots turned this into a Dusty Donut and it’s another outing that leaves me a bit skeptical that Scherzer can be the man of his name. He’s Median Scherzer these days – A solid Holly with the slider working well at most.

Zac Gallen (ARI) vs ATL (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 105 pitches.

Blegh. I was really hoping Gallen would defiantly regain his AGA label. The changeup and slider weren’t there and the heater was middling, while the curveball? It was dope and I could hear its cries for support all the way over here in Cape Cod. Please. ANYONE.

Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ TBR (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 95 pitches.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH CARLOS?! Nothing. This was a dumb start to a baseball game and that’s it. Rodón allowed four runs without earning an out – two sliders that just returned hits + two fastballs he’d rather have back, including a three-run blast. The rest of the game? Three baserunners in four innings with five strikeouts. He looked great and I wish he used his changeup across those first four batters instead of saving it until after as it returned 7/26 whiffs. You had Rosario dead to rights if you went changeup instead of heater! It absolutely feels bad and it’s daunting with the Orioles up next, but I’m still in for the second half. He’s absolutely above average.

Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs COL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 69 pitches.

Womp womp. I believed he would be less susceptible to the laws of Still ILL against Rockie Road and a minimum IL stint, but NOPE. This was sinkers down the pipe + four-seamers and curveballs failing to do the work they should. In other words, a man struggling on an island and wondering what he can possibly do to escape. The good news? He’s at 70 pitches with the Marlins up next. Expect 80+ there and far better results.

Roansy Contreras (LAA) vs TEX (ND) – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 37 pitches.

You thought Roansy would have a redemption arc in Los Angeles? Au Contreras. 

Brayan Bello (BOS) vs OAK (W) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 23 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 105 pitches.

A Golden Goal with a stupid number of whiffs and CSW and…5 ER?! Blame it on the–NO. Bello was awesome in this one and some poor luck led to him getting Singled Out. Okay fine, at times. It was a game of a ton of awesome ability and legit talent mixed with a few more bounced balls than ideal and some poor luck in play. Oh, and a three-run shot in the sixth inning as his final pitch of the game. Yes, it wasn’t a good changeup and that’s how baseball goes with a bit of Careful, Icarus. I really love the version we just saw, even with some hung sliders, and I’m in for the Royals next. Stay strong.

Adam Mazur (SDP) vs SEA (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.

Not even the Mariners can save Adam. For you readers who are a curious blend of Michigan residents and art connoisseurs, I’m calling these early struggles the Mazur Blue Period. Yes that’s a stretch. Yes I’m proud of it.

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs CHC (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.

Womp womp. It was a strong first start back with ten strikeouts, this one was nothing of the sort. He has Cherry Bomb tendencies and can be a dart throw for a Win and a handful of strikeouts on a given night. Treat him like that and you’ll be fine.

Cal Quantrill (COL) @ CIN (L) – 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 52 pitches.

CAL story, Bro. He didn’t have the splitter and that’s your ball game. Let’s not? Yeah, let’s not.

Jake Irvin (WSN) @ NYM (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 94 pitches.

Sacre bleu! The Mets were ready for the curveball and hacked away at the pitch as it zoomed around the zone for a whopping 81% z-swing rate and just 1/17 whiffs tells the whole tale. Obviously not ready for this to be the end of the road for Irvin (he deserves at least two clunkers of his curveball failure to jump ship), though if that curveball continues to act pedestrian, Irvin is sure to fade into the mists of fantasy irrelevance.

Ben Lively (CLE) @ DET (ND) – 5.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.

Yikes. Is this the first true stumble against a poor lineup? He threw everything down the heart of the plate and that’s just not going to work against anyone. He’s been so helpful for so long, you gotta give him another chance to redeem himself against the Rays, right?

Kenta Maeda (DET) vs CLE (ND) – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 49 pitches.

Maeda returned just 2/24 whiffs across his splitters and sliders and y’all know that can’t be the life Maeda lives moving forward. You’ve already put him on your “DON’T ADD” list and I’ll let you know when you may want to rectify that.

Colin Rea (MIL) vs PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches.

Annnnnd we’re done with that. At least the sinker and cutter were decently down, though he had a lot of pitches well out of the zone and it just wasn’t it. Not out of the question for him to perform against the Nationals, though the ceiling isn’t high.

Joey Estes (OAK) @ BOS (L) – 1.2 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 55 pitches.

Ah. WELL then. And now it’s the Phillies so yeah, let’s not? Cool.

 

Game of the Day

 

Shota Imanaga vs. Corbin Burnes – Must watch television.

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). Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire.