Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Monday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Kent Emanuel (CIN) vs STL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
You probably didn’t know Kent Emanuel existed before today, or maybe even until reading this article. It’s completely understandable and bear with me as I got through his story. Inhales Emanuel was drafted by Astros in 2013, made his MLB debut in early 2021 and underwent elbow surgery just over a month later, pitched in the minors for the Phillies and Pirates, and returned to majors for the Marlins in 2024, where he was jostled around from the minors five times and DFA’d twice before the end of the season, signed with the Atlantic league before a stint in the Mexican league, then returned to the Atlantic league in 2026 until the Reds signed him a week ago for one Triple-A start and to take the pearl today, 13 years after he was drafted. After all he’s been through to pitch today, he deserves the time you just took to read all of that.
And here’s the thing – he earned today’s Gold Star! Emanuel performed admirably with 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches (L) against the Cardinals in a poor home park. He had some early jitters with two runs in the first, but settled down after, featuring a four-way split between sinkers, sweepers, changeups, and sliders to make up for his 90 mph velocity. The slowball confounded, the slider acted like a cutter at 85/86 mph and jammed RHB well, and the sinker found outs. He looked like a crafty vet out there, and he didn’t even get the changeup down where it should be, let alone feature a four-seamer upstairs to become a proper SWATCH.
Sadly, it doesn’t mean we’ll see Emanuel again soon. He was called up as the extra man for a doubleheader, and back to the minors he’ll go after this. However, with Hunter Greene out for a long while, you can consider him the SP #6 moving forward, with the possibility of more innings in his future should the Reds need to find any volume. It’s sure to happen in time and, the vibes couldn’t be better, right? At the very least, see what matchup he’ll get out of the gate. There could be some sneaky value before the season’s end. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Nolan McLean (NYM) vs SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 103 pitches.
Just look at it. You know he got away with this. He allowed four straight singles in the first without a run scoring. He walked and HBP the bases loaded to lead off the second, yet surrendered just one run via sac fly, thanks to the fourth putout at home plate in two innings. Absolutely BONKERS. Yes, McLean was Singled Out to allow many of those hits, and he settled down after the opening two frames well, but it was yet another outing of getting to the finish line but refusing to look at the time. I know it’s not my personal best. It’s in there Nolan. I hope you find it. (View Game Card)
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
Sánchez is acting like that kid coming back into the ice cream shop every 10 minutes and asking to taste two different flavors without buying anything. Yes, we’re going to accept another start of a high WHIP, but dude, it’s super annoying. His changeup’s lack of strikes has been the culprit during the recent stretch and I hope he finds a way to get it back to normal fast. Meanwhile, his sinker velocity fell to just 94 mph in this one (96 mph = peak Sánchez) and all we can do is shrug and move on. (View Game Card)
Blake Snell (LAD) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
Phew. He was stellar in his Still ILL, but I was still worried Snell would struggle in Coors after he had such a poor time in Salt Lake City during his rehab. Fortunately, we saw the BSB in full form to RHB (shocking! More at eleven), while his slider was immaculate on the outside corner to LHB for 5/11 whiffs. Yeaaaaah, it’s #HotSnellSummer. (View Game Card)
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs ARI (W) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches.
It really seems to be as simple as asking “Does he have an opener today?” Yes, I think I will consider him against the Yankees on Saturday. If he has an opener. Right. If he’s following. (View Game Card)
Quinn Mathews (STL) @ CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.
Another one-off game for Mathews as he was called up for today’s doubleheader, and would you look at that – another inefficient outing with promise. He faced 100% RHB that tested the changeup I heavily doubted before his debut and the slowball delivered. The pitch was beautifully located on the outside corner at will, propelling a 27% SwStr rate for the game at 23% usage. Honestly, he could have thrown that fell a whole lot more and made it through five with ease. The slider left a lot to be desired as an 86 mph gyro meh + the curveball was flipped into the zone for a cheap strike or spiked into the dirt. The lack of dastardly breakers to RHB puts the honus on his four-seamer to deliver and set up the changeup effectively and I believe it can be that pitch, but it lost over an inch of vert from his debut, while sitting just 93/94 mph and 60% strikes. Still, his flat 1.5 HAVAA and general consistency to locate upstairs is promising, and I dig Mathews a ton for 2027. That park will serve him well. Keep an eye on his next start, too. Like Kent, he’s the Cardinals’ SP #6 and should have routine starts before the end of the year. I’m likely down for those. (View Game Card)
Walker Buehler (SDP) @ NYM (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.
Whoa. Buehler hasn’t had back-to-back six-inning games all season, but he also rarely has such good graces from Koufax to return 13 outs on 15 balls in play. I’m truly happy he’s able to have some success, and maybe he can survive with 67% strikes via cutters, fastballs, and a Temu-branded set of secondaries when he hosts the Twins and heads to Tampa Bay. You already know I can’t endorse it. (View Game Card)
Janson Junk (MIA) @ PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 88 pitches.
It’s nice to see the Marlins trust Junk enough to go at least five frames recently, even if he hasn’t held a 10% SwStr rate since May 4th. I wonder if he just needs to channel his inner Skywalker to defy the odds again. He’ll get the Nationals back-to-back up next, which is generally a lovely matchup, and yet, Junk simply isn’t doing enough with his stuff to make me want to chase it (not to mention, he was even worse he with an inch less vert and 1-2 ticks lower velocity). (View Game Card)
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs ATL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
Both runs scored on his final pitch – a horrible 2-1 four-seamer down the pipe to Acuña for a two-run single – and I still don’t quite understand why it took so long to score off him. I don’t understand why I’ve taken so much time figuring out how to tell you this isn’t worth our time. Funny how that works. (View Game Card)
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs CHW (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 96 pitches.
It’s a PQS due to a three-run HR to lead off the fourth…but a well-deserved Golden Goal with 91/92 mph velocity. WE NEEDED THIS. Also, 15/32 whiffs on his splitter is BANANAS. (View Game Card)
Luis Castillo (CHW) @ CHC (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 99 pitches.
That revenge game against the Reds was awesome. It was also the only game above five strikeouts since May 25th, and second of the season above six strikeouts, including seven punchouts on March 30th. So you’re saying there’s a chance. I’m saying this HAISTBMBWT?! is not surprising at all. (View Game Card)
Shane McClanahan (TBR) vs BAL (ND) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 57 pitches.
We had the return of McShane and I’m not shocked in the slightest that he was pulled so quickly. Shane certainly looked like he was, and his frustration surely boiled over watching the very next batter knock in two ducks on the pond with a single to center, adding to his ERA. It wasn’t the sharpest we’ve seen him – the changeup was up, the fastball was down the pipe, the slider was erratic – but at least we got 95/96 mph velocity. Expect 70-80 pitches in Camden next time out, and that could be an easy five frames. (View Game Card)
Mitch Bratt (ARI) @ BOS (L) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 12% CSW, 65 pitches.
Annnnd there’s the Brrraaaatttt strikezone plot I’m used to. HAISTBMBWT?! I didn’t expect him to have his first double-digit whiff game, but one?! Wow. (View Game Card)
Rhett Lowder (CIN) vs STL (ND) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 99 pitches.
Lowder nearly pulled off a Quality Start, but a two-out single scored his fourth run in the sixth. At least he lasted for two more outs with a strikeout to make it up to you, right? It’s almost a Wonka. FINE. There are worse options than a date in Arizona up next, but I’ll pass. (View Game Card)
Andre Pallante (STL) @ CIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.
The fella got Singled Out, mostly in the sixth where he allowed three to touch the plate. Careful, Icarus. Not much to see here, just your standard Pallante meh with a ton of pitches left over the plate. It could go better in Philly or hosting the Pirates, but that’s up to you. (View Game Card)
Framber Valdez (DET) @ PIT (W) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
Ah yes, our weekly reminder that Valdez is absolutely lost. Wonderful. (View Game Card)
Michael Wacha (KCR) vs ATH (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 79 pitches.
Three HRs did all the damage here on a night where Wacha featured a 90% strike rate on his changeup and a 41% clip on his four-seamer. Yikes. You may be scared now given the whole Vargas Rule thing, but it’s DET, @CLE, MIA up next. You gotta hold. (View Game Card)
Martín Pérez (ATL) @ MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 82 pitches.
The man was bamboozled in the first with two walks, two doubles, and two singles that the Twins cashed in for a four-run frame, and it takes a vet to take a deep breath and toss four shutout after. Would be nice if you took that breath before the first inning, though. Pérez didn’t pitch nearly as poorly as the line suggests, and I wouldn’t rule out at least one (if not two) cheap Wins across his next three games – @MIL, Rockie Road, @WSN – for those in deeper formats. (View Game Card)
Brandon Young (BAL) @ TBR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 82 pitches.
Well that’s awfully disappointing. As expected, his four-seamer’s vert was insane at 19/20″, but the Rays were ready for it and took it for a ride just like the MvC2 character select screen predicted. I’m not sure why he completely abandoned the splitter here (only five thrown and his first came in the middle of the third inning), and I really didn’t hate the four-seamer command. Some days you allow four runs on three bombs and shrug. (View Game Card)
Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) vs DET (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 59 pitches.
Yeaaaaah, the Pirates had an interesting rotation at one point, and now have sub-60-pitch Mlodzinski, under-delivering Bubba, recovering Jared, who knows what from Skenes, and Golden Brax just trying to get keep the hype alive. Rough times for a team with such a great stadium. (View Game Card)
Tomoyuki Sugano (COL) vs LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 89 pitches.
Awwww. I guess we’ll have to wait a little longer for Sugano’s potential 13th Win. Sigh. I really didn’t see this one coming. Uhhhh. Dude. Give me a little more credit than that.
Mason Barnett (ATH) @ KCR (L) – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 83 pitches.
Maybe one day the cut fastball with lively secondaries will come through. I’ll give y’all the live news report when it happens. “This just in. Mason IS HERE.” I see what you did there. If only I were confident he read the roundup each day… (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
George Klassen vs. Cristian Javier – Klassen just threw a lot of strikes, while Javier has underperformed lately. I get a sense he could break out here.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire and respective owners | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@abeardoesart on Bluesky and X)
