Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday 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.
Allan Winans (ATL) @ NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 111 pitches.
We thought Saturday would bring a potential redemption start from Michael Soroka, but what we ultimately got was a better Soroka in the form of Allan Winans, going 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 111 pitches against the Mets in the first game of their doubleheader. When we think of Soroka, we think of sinkers moving across the plate, mixed with solid sliders and changeups and legit command. Well, save for a shaky first inning (a standard affair for young arms getting a spot start), that’s exactly what we saw here.
His sinker returned a 42% O-Swing (DOPE) with a 50% CSW, the changeup went 7/35 whiffs, the slider was consistent at a 42% CSW and his 72% strike rate (which was far better after the first) allowed him to cruise through seven frames against a demoralized Mets crew. The command was strong and his poise was excellent after that first inning. I love this, especially when pitching in front of the Atlanta defense (and their offense, for that matter) and if we see more of Winans, I’d be holding. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta elected to replace Chirinos with Winans, even if Winans was called up just to be the 27th man for the doubleheader. He’s clearly more polished and able to survive far longer in starts. That would be a matchup against the Giants and I’d be streaming him everywhere if that comes to fruition. We can only hope.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
George Kirby (SEA) vs BAL (ND) – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 103 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! Kirby was fantastic and carved up the Orioles with his four-seamer while the secondaries all helped. What about the slider? Ah. Right. Soooooo 0/10 whiffs. But hey! 90% strikes! But yeah, I was excited that it could be the final piece of the puzzle for Kirby to be the stud ace, and while it’s awfully strange to say he doesn’t have that after a line like this, I think y’all understand. It really is a great four-seamer, though, and as long as that foundation sticks (which it most likely will), I’m sure something will appear over time to take him to that Top 10 SP level. I may be more aggressive on Kirby than others next year because of that – the strikeouts will come, especially since he’s on pace for about 170 or so this year despite the low strikeout rate. VOLUME BAYBEEEEE.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 105 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He wasn’t at his peak, believe it or not, and he still got through seven frames of shutout ball. He’s fantastic.
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs SD (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He’s back y’all. The four-seamer is getting called strikes and the curve is low and dominating. That’s two in a row of this and I’m convinced. Nick, you usually wait three starts. I know, but this is the skill that made us fall for him and he’s obviously locked in. GALLEN GALS, UNITE.
Pablo López (MIN) @ PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 92 pitches.
Aces. Gonna. ACE. You can’t deny it any longer, that’s a 2.50 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 30.8% strikeout rate across his last nine starts. Did you realize his four-seamer returned a 49% CSW across 35 thrown in this start?! UNREAL. It’s so fun watching him soar, especially as the ERA has fallen comfortably under 4.00 now at a 3.66 mark. The man deserved better than that first half.
Matt Manning (DET) @ BOS (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.
At least he survived? Maybe that’s a Blame it on the Red Sox, but even still, a HAISTBMBWT?! is never okay. At least the slider command was better…? Nah, we ignore this. The fastball is still just 94 mph (at least not 92/93, that was bad).
Cole Irvin (BAL) @ SEA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 67 pitches.
Everyone wants to talk about Kirby (understandably so), but Irvin is the one who came through for the Orioles to give them the chance to Win in the tenth. Great pitch separation and despite 0/22 CSW on the change, it earned foul balls and outs to keep the Mariners off balance as the four-seamer and cutter returned 10/35 whiffs between them. Wild. If the Orioles stick with the six-man, it means Cole gets a revenge game against the Athletics and it’s hard to argue against that one, if not just for the Win chance. I imagine he’ll be able to go 75+ pitches there, too.
Shawn Armstrong (TB) vs CLE (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 43 pitches.
Like taking multiple Aspirins at a time, this game was a whole lot of relief. Bullpen game? I’m trying so hard to find different ways of saying that. The things I do for y’all.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs NYY (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 116 pitches.
He’s starting to believe. I kinda want to give him the AGA label, but the Dodgers + Padres + Rays are up next and that’s going to be difficult. Still, I’m throwing him out there and hoping for the best. He’s so fun and should get the Golden Goal all the time. The fact he was over 100 pitches and came out for the ninth was amazing.
Tony Gonsolin (LAD) vs COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.
Gonsolin is a Toby who did exactly what he was supposed to do against Rockie Road. The splitter was also better than we’ve seen with 7/23 whiffs and he’s considerable for the Marlins next. A start in 15-teamers and likely 12-teamers, though it’s not a “I have to hold him for this” start.
José Quintana (NYM) vs ATL (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 104 pitches.
That’s pretty dang great against a team like Atlanta. The command was fantastic with his four-seamer up and changeup/sinker landing armside. He’s locked in y’all. Go go go.
Gavin Williams (CLE) @ TB (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 87 pitches.
Ohhhhh BABY. That four-seamer is carving up everyone now, propelling that share of the Gallows Pole at 14 whiffs and 38% CSW. It’s not even that well spotted, too, and his secondaries still need work, and yet the four-seamer had a RIDICULOUS 5.60 PLV. Man, I’m going to be so in on Williams next year, aren’t I?
Luis Medina (OAK) @ WSH (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.
Was it a redemption start? Not really as the slider was good but not elite. We sit out for the Orioles and hope the breakers return to encourage the starts against the Royals and Mariners after.
Andrew Heaney (TEX) @ SF (ND) – 1.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 40 pitches.
Heaney had a sickness and the Rangers knew they were likely going to need to pull him early. Write this one off and with the Brewers up next, he’s not the worst option. He’s the same Heaney.
J.P. France (HOU) vs LAA (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 100 pitches.
Look at France, doing everything you could possibly ask of him. He made a case for the Astros to keep with the six-man as his cutter was brilliant and kept his change and four-seamer separate. Not a bad play against the Mariners next, but this was the ceiling we’re not sure he’ll hit again.
Jake Irvin (WSH) vs OAK (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 99 pitches.
Awwww, we’re back to 95 mph (not 96), but at least it’s not 93/94. Meanwhile the curve did well with nearly 70% strikes and a 33% CSW + the changeup helped across ten thrown. Wait, he throws a changeup? Yeah, kinda. This was a Blame it on the Athletics that I’m happy Irvin was able to take advantage of, but I still need more than the curve in the chamber.
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) @ CWS (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 86 pitches.
One more to go for the AGA. The four-seamer is doing everything right, now it’s on one of the curve/slider/change to wake up in full to properly dominate.
Steven Matz (STL) @ KC (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.
Another solid outing for Matz as he continues to be a reliable Toby. Not a Holly as I’d have hesitations against above-average squads. But with the Mets and Pirates next, we’re holding. That’s likely a bench against the Padres after, though. They kill LHP.
Michael King (NYY) @ MIA (L) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 44% CSW, 41 pitches.
With the sudden IL of Nestor Cortes, the Yankees went with King as the opener + 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 69 pitches of Jhony Brito. Yeah, that’s the greatest line you could hope for (save for the lack of Win) with just five hard-hit balls on the night. He relied heavily on his changeup and mixed in the rest decently well – the near 70% CSW on the curve isn’t gonna stick, though. There’s a small temptation to try it against the Red Sox next weekend given their lack of thump lately, but I’d prefer to chase something else with a higher ceiling.
Jesse Scholtens (CWS) vs MIL (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
That’s three straight of 6+ frames with essentially a VPQS from a source you didn’t expect. The slider was killer at 8/33 whiffs and fantastic precision, while the curve earned strikes and the four-seamer did what it could. Huh. He gets Coors next, but the Athletics are after…
Peter Lambert (COL) @ LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.
Hey, a PQS against the Dodgers from Lambert ain’t terrible at all. So that’s cool.
Justin Steele (CHC) @ TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.
It’s still not the precise Steele we saw earlier in the year, but still good enough to give you a decent WHIP and seven strikeouts. He’ll bounce back, especially with the great schedule ahead of him.
Taijuan Walker (PHI) vs MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 6 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 94 pitches.
And thus, the avalanche has come. The velocity is now down to 90/91 mph and I encourage y’all to jump off this if you haven’t yet.
Rich Hill (SD) @ ARI (L) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 83 pitches.
I wonder if the Padres will let Nick Martinez start instead of Hill when they have to make a rotation decision with Wacha/Musgrove returning…just a thought.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 99 pitches.
A rough fourth frame with each of the first four batters reaching and capped off by a three-run shot messed this one up for Bassitt, who was dominant otherwise. He should be locked into your lineup without thought.
Cole Ragans (KC) vs STL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.
Nooooooo. I watched this one in full (duh) and if you want to say “welp Nick, you were wrong” go ahead. I’ll also tell you that the skills I adore from him are still there and no pitcher is immune. Hold Ragans and you won’t regret it. Seriously. Come on Nick, you’re just getting too enamored with another young arm. Maybe I am and he definitely has a chance to have these more ragged games where he doesn’t quite hit the spots he wants early in counts. And maybe it’s part of the process as he still has 96/97 mph velocity and four secondaries + a slider that went 9/23 whiffs. I actually don’t think he trusted his four-seamer enough in this one at just 26% usage. He has a great set of weapons, but that heater should be more of a 40% pitch as it carries the strike load to allow for more chases. Paired with a cutter that oddly was thrown just five times, this process is one I think can work. Also, a 63% strike rate overall is usually not a four-walk night. OKAY I’M DONE, START HIM.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs DET (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.
Blegh. The changeup was its normal self, but the sinker got hit and the other stuff didn’t help. The two home runs came off a slider & cutter, which is more to the point of Bello needing to figure those out. I don’t think we’ll see that until the off-season and it doesn’t make him a bad play for 2023, just annoying.
Denyi Reyes (NYM) vs ATL (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 109 pitches.
Poor guy, getting his first game in the bigs since May 1st only to be hung out to dry against Atlanta. The fastball is all kinds of meh at 90/91, but at least he has a decent slider and cutter. Welp, see ya later.
Alex Cobb (SF) vs TEX (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 92 pitches.
Cobb went 3/40 splitter whiffs and faced the Rangers. Yup. Regardless of the offense, the skills are far worse from Cobb since his return from the IL with the splitter missing. Drop him if you haven’t yet, especially with Atlanta next. Yikes.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ HOU (L) – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 82 pitches.
The changeup was still good and yet, it’s the Astros. The Rays are next, BUT THEN the Mets and Athletics. Like Deckard, Anderson can stay a while (and listen) on the wire. Sidenote: Cain was kinda demanding about the listen part. Imagine if you told some rando LISTEN.
Game of the Day
Freddy Peralta vs. Dylan Cease – This is the most chaotic duel I’ve seen in a while.
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 Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)