Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday 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.
Cal Quantrill (TEX) vs LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.
I absolutely love it when forgotten pitchers suddenly go on a tear, extending a much-needed hand to managers in dire need of something off the wire. The latest gift has been Cal Quantrill, who blanked the Angels for a fantastic line of 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches (W) on Sunday, closing a two-month stretch as a starter where Quantrill has granted trusting managers a 2.23 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across almost 50 innings in nine starts. And that includes his 6 ER, 12-baserunner disaster in four innings in Atlanta. Whoa. He’d be at a 1.22 ERA and 0.86 WHIP otherwise, which is downright dumb. Cherry picking stats is fun, isn’t it?
There isn’t much to discuss as far as how it’s happening. Part of it is the good graces of Koufax, of course, and the other is much improved feel for his splitter. It was on full display against the Angels with 6/27 whiffs and a ton of weak contact for seven of his twelve outs in play, while the sinker saw extra time earning strikes, and the cutter was a reliable mix-up pitch at 90% strikes. Pretty cool for a night when he couldn’t locate his four-seamer effectively.
He’s feeling it, simple as that. This is a Vargas Rule with the Brewers up next, which means it could run through the end of the season, or it could fall apart as soon as his next outing. I’m inclined to ride it until it stops at this point, but make sure you do when the wall is hit. He’s had a sub-20% strikeout rate in this stretch and there won’t be a whole lot to salvage when things go wrong. It’s what makes him The UnQuantrillfiable, after all. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Nolan McLean (NYM) @ CHW (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 92 pitches.
I’m just kinda speechless at this point. Eno really described it well when he outlined McLean as a guy with a ton of movement on his pitches who just needs to throw them around the zone. Not the highest strike rates, not with a specific approach and locations to squeeze the most out of them, nay. McLean has to ensure that these high-stuff pitches are decently competitive and he’ll generally find a way. I just have to numb my brain and accept him as effectively wild. (View Game Card)
Blake Snell (LAD) vs PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. #HotSnellSummer is the best time of year. (View Game Card)
Nick Martinez (TBR) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.
Yesss, the Vargas Rule LIVES ON! Great rebound after his 6 ER disaster last time out and we continue on, acknowledging that he hasn’t fanned more than five since June 15th. (View Game Card)
Erick Fedde (CHW) vs NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 56 pitches.
Fedde was served an opener once again, and would have been an incredible sneaky Sunday play for managers if his offense could have come through in the slightest against McLean. Womp womp. His value lies in a potential cheap Win as a follower, and that’s not enough for me. (View Game Card)
Kyle Leahy (STL) @ PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 63 pitches.
The Cardinals told us they would be limiting Leahy right when I finally came around on him (sorry I was so late!), and good on him for producing even in this short outing. I still find him more precarious than the absurdly good stretch of eleven games would tell you, and combined with his short leash, I’d look elsewhere, personally. Or hope he can scrounge up five frames on 65 pitches against the Pirates and Oracle Park in two of his next three starts. At least we can all be on board to refuse a date in Coors, yeah? (View Game Card)
Walker Buehler (SDP) vs MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! THE STREAK CONTINUES. After going eleven games without tossing six full innings, Buehler has returned six frames on the dot for three straight. That’s a Gold Star given 6/44 whiffs on his fastballs (yes, that’s high!) and a 48% CSW on his sinker in particular, which saw a usage bump of 13 points all the way to 31%. Whoa. Right?! If you want to Vargas Rule this, I understand, though he’s fanned more than four just twice in his last nine games, and failed to hit double-digit whiffs in each of his last five. This is the peak. (View Game Card)
Jack Perkins (ATH) @ HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
I struggled to read the tea leaves and figure out how long the Athletics were going to let Perkins go as the follower in this one, and not only am I happy to see five innings, I’m also thrilled the Athletics came back from a 6-0 deficit to take the lead the frame after Perkins left, granting him the dub. Now, if we could just take a look at the walks, I need to explain. He walked four in his first frame, including a pitcher timeout and an intentional walk, then he awarded Yordan a second IBB in the sixth. That means he walked just two on a proper “ball four”, which includes the first batter of his outing, where he walked Cam Smith on four straight balls. Funny how that works. Anyway, Perkins had fantastic feel for his sweeper in this one, while the 93 mph cutter was a bit erratic and the four-seamer nor changeup were their best selves, either. The Astros’ RHB crew will always be susceptible to great sweepers from RHP, and I’d be cautious leaning on Perkins against the Orioles up next in Sacré Verde. The ceiling is not worth jumping for. (View Game Card)
Tyler Mahle (ATL) @ MIL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.
Since returning from the IL on June 24th, Mahle holds a 2.29 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 22% strikeout rate across 11 starts and 61.2 IP. If that doesn’t work for you, I don’t know what to tell ya. (View Game Card)
Bailey Ober (MIN) @ SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 87 pitches.
He’s a 15-team HIPSTER I guess? He doesn’t give you a whole lot of strikeouts, and has only returned one Win in his last nine starts dating back to the end of May, but sure, he’s found a way to go one or two ER in 5+ multiple times. Yay. (View Game Card)
Janson Junk (MIA) vs WSN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 69 pitches.
Marlins. Fellas. I know he hit two batters in the fifth inning. Let the dude just finish the fifth anyway. I know the pen got out of it, but one more out = five full frames and a Win for Junk. ANYWAY, he’s still failing to get the whiffs we think his stuff should get + this whole leash issue makes him a clear pass. (View Game Card)
Carlos Rodón (NYY) vs TOR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 76 pitches.
It was his second start back from the IL and Rodón struggled to find the plate all game. He tried to recalibrate himself and failed constantly, and was fortunately able to stave off all the walks. I expect better next time against the Red Sox across 80+ pitches, though it does lower my confidence a touch. (View Game Card)
Shota Imanaga (CHC) @ SEA (ND) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 72 pitches.
No, he’s not injured. Just a man who labored to throw 72 pitches in 2+ innings and was quickly relieved after a pair of hits in the third to prevent even more stressful pitches. That said, Shota sat 90 mph in all three frames, and it was clearly an off day in Seattle. Not enough for me to drop, and if he’s cleared to go against the Reds in Wrigley on Saturday, I’m starting him. (View Game Card)
Foster Griffin (CLE) @ COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 105 pitches.
For a date in Coors, we’ll grab this Dusty Donut and demolish it. Nice to see the cutter flirt with 90 mph, too. Now that we’re past Coors, it’s an easy hold for this Toby against the Royals and Tigers. (View Game Card)
Shane Drohan (MIL) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 83 pitches.
Drohan is leaning into the hard, high vert cutter like his Milwaukee peers, and with an upped velocity of 92/93 mph, I dig it a little more than before. Unfortunately, he didn’t command it or the high heater well, which opened him up to many hits in the zone on the rest of his arsenal. I’m interested in giving it a shot against the Rangers if this is a six-man rotation, especially at 83 pitches, but you never really know what the Brewers will do with their rotation. (View Game Card)
Daniel Lynch IV (KCR) vs DET (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 59 pitches.
We’re nearly at five full frames from Lynch, though he was more efficient than usual to see the fifth in fewer than 60 pitches. All that aside, you shouldn’t be interested in what Lynch brings to the table. This is awfully mid. (View Game Card)
Jake Bennett (BOS) vs SFG (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 84 pitches.
He allowed 3 ER early and settled down to go seven frames after (with an extra unearned error in the seventh) while cashing in a King Cole. Thing is, I don’t think this was peak Bennett. The four-seamer was reduced and found the heart of the plate plenty, while the sinker was taken for far too many called strikes. Still, he did get deserved chases on the changeup and sweeper, and even with Blame it on the Giants, you still have a bar to hit. The man is still a Toby, which I don’t love against the Yankees. (View Game Card)
Shane Baz (BAL) vs TBR (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.
He nearly made it to the finish line for six shutout innings despite holding a 45% strike rate on his curveball. You know, his best pitch. In fact, he had two outs in the sixth before three straight singles and a walk to leave the game with the bases loaded and a run already to his name. Careful, Icarus. He went from fantastic favor from Koufax to complete abandonment and I feel for y’all who needed this. With Sacré Verde up next, I’d be cautious with Baz, but I’m fine with Baz hosting the Sawx and Guardians after. (View Game Card)
Jackson Kent (WSN) @ MIA (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
This is a step forward for Kent, featuring a better overall approach that could translate to success in the near future. Three of his were on pitches out of the zone, and all three walks came in 3-2 counts. He’ll face the Marlins a second time and I’d circle that start on Friday as a sneaky stream for deeper leagues. Maybe even your 12-teamers. Kent is a SWATCH at 93/94 mph with seven feet of extension, 1.5 HAVAA, and decent vert. We’ve seen that work plenty of times. (View Game Card)
Cristian Javier (HOU) vs ATH (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 90 pitches.
WE’RE ALMOST THERE. That’s a Golden Goal for Javier with 18-19″ of vert on his 93 mph heater and a whopping 11 whiffs on his sweeper alone at a harder 82 mph. And the cutter was—wait. WHERE’S THE CUTTER?! I didn’t throw any. Why Javier?! Why?! I guess the sweeper and four-seamer worked so well to RHB that he didn’t need to, though the changeup labored to LHB and he wasn’t terribly efficient across four frames with 76 pitches to his name despite tossing shutout ball with just three baserunners. So of course, this has to come crashing down in the fifth, where he allowed a single, a walk, and a three-run shot off a 1-2 four-seamer down the middle that ended his day. Sigh. After struggling to get strikeouts and whiffs, Javier has now returned 37 whiffs and 13 strikeouts across two starts and that should be enough for us to consider him against the Mets, even if the Angels and Athletics were responsible. And maybe that cutter comes back and helps…? This is an upside play for those in need of one. (View Game Card)
Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) @ LAD (L) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 61 pitches.
This is as surprising as me getting lost in a tangent during a Twitch stream if someone mentions mechanical keyboards. That isn’t surprising at all. Nothing gets past you. Just like Carmen’s pitches to the Dodgers. Ayyoooooo.
Mitch Bratt (ARI) vs CIN (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 69 pitches.
Remember those two games of 13 IP and 2 ER with 9 Ks and 4 Ks? I hope we can all agree that Bratt isn’t worth it now. (View Game Card)
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs STL (ND) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 103 pitches.
And now he’s down to a 1.22 WHIP for the year, with yet another start of a changeup under a 60% strike rate (albeit 59%, but the point stands). He was Singled Out on the sinker, sure, but if the changeup (and slider, too!) were more effective, he may be less inclined to throw the sinker down the pipe and allow seven hits. I’m still starting him and expecting better, just in the same way I was starting him and expecting worse during his absurd May stretch. At least he’s at 95 mph again. (View Game Card)
Andrew Abbott (CIN) @ ARI (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
Wow. Abbott tossed six frames of 1 ER in 81 pitches, so he came out for the seventh, allowed two hits and a walk to load the bases on seven pitches, and watched from the dugout as all three scored across the next three batters. Careful, Icarus. A 1.50 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and six strikeouts, gone in a flash. It’s too bad, but then again, it’s Abbott. You never really know what you’re gonna get. (View Game Card)
Matt Wilkinson (SFG) @ BOS (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 66 pitches.
Looks like the Giants are trying to stretch out Tugboat and give him a proper shot in the rotation. Cool! He doesn’t have the best stuff, which forces him to execute much better than what we saw here with a ton of hittable heaters over the plate and a few hanging changeups (most were solid, though!). Let’s wait for more. The cutter at 86 mph may be the part he needs to refine inside to RHB (just two thrown, one to a RHB, away and off the plate that turned into a triple to lead off the third. Yikes.), and I’m curious if it blossoms. (View Game Card)
José Soriano (TOR) @ NYY (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 100 pitches.
We had a Careful, Icarus via a sixth inning of three-straight singles before getting the hook with the bases juiced (of course all three scored), though this wasn’t peak Soriano through five. His curveball isn’t the CSW machine we need it to be, and the splitter + four-seamer were featured too often (40% of the time) to fail him so often (54% strikes, two hits). He’s a HIPSTER, alright, but at least Soriano is leaning on the sinker more than four-seamers to LHB now (35% vs. 15%). This is the way. (View Game Card)
Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) @ TEX (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.
A very clear Still ILL for Kikuchi, who was lit up in his final rehab start. This was a much better outing than I expected, with his four-seamer living upstairs and 96 mph and curveballs returning a whopping 78% strikes with 4/18 whiffs, and I also know Kikuchi rarely has the same mix from start-to-start, rooted in whatever he’s feeling that day. Consider him a 15-team HIPSTER moving forward with strikeout potential. I’d avoid in 12-teamers against the Phillies until we can know more. (View Game Card)
Andrew Sears (DET) @ KCR (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 74 pitches.
I was super curious how this debut would go and yes, I’m sad he couldn’t perform better despite my embrace of the PILOT Rule. What we saw was a fastball that he couldn’t land upstairs for enough strikes + a changeup he barely touched to RHB (why?! This should work!) + an 82 mph slider that doesn’t have as much movement you’d want at that velocity. I see a bit of Sean Manaea here with a little more velocity and potential for a proper changeup, and I’m curious how he looks in future games. No idea when that’ll be, and for those considering a stash, note that he’d get the Dodgers if pitching on normal rest. Yikes. (View Game Card)
Tomoyuki Sugano (COL) vs CLE (L) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 92 pitches.
The quest for 15 Wins is running out of time. Come on Sugano, YOU CAN DO THIS. Then again, you weren’t really supposed to be able to get ten Wins, let alone the 12 you have now. Maybe you can’t do this? (View Game Card)
Bryce Miller (SEA) vs CHC (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 2 Hits, 7 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 104 pitches.
Hey. Drop him. But I wanna hear–Drop him. Seven walks are a bit misleading as he had two sets of walking three straight batters, and yet, Miller is so clearly not the guy he was a month ago and is as clueless as a kid in the Lost Woods with a muted TV. I feel for Bryce. There’s the concern of his elbow still bothering him (he never got surgery!) and at this point, we have to consider that as a real possibility. UPDATE: Shortly after I wrote this, it came out that Miller was hiding a lat issue that appear in Texas a month ago. Jeeeeeeez. (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Parker Messick vs. George Klassen – Yes, Wheeler vs. Gilbert is obviously dope. I’m so interested in Klassen’s performance and Messick is phenomenal, too.
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 John Cordes/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
