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 Twitch.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Jacob deGrom (TEX) @ CHW (L) – 3.2 IP, 8 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 87 pitches.
I didn’t expect to have a Jacob deGrom roundup this year, but after 3.2 IP, 8 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 87 pitches against the White Sox on Tuesday, deGrom now holds a 4.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 130 innings. Wait, seriously?! It feels like something is off, doesn’t it? Then again, this start did raise his ERA by 44 points and WHIP by 5 points, so maybe anyone reacting so strongly to one game should take a moment.
That said, it’s his fifth game of 5+ ER this season and third of his last seven games, featuring five walks for the second time in five. It’s truly strange to see deGrom walk so many batters (him and Wheeler, what is wrong with the 2018 Mets?) and we can easily point to a ghastly 38% strike rate on his slider and 55% clip on his four-seamer. You know, the two pitches he favors roughly 80% of the time. He’s generally impeccable at landing that slider down-and-gloveside, and while the four-seamer hasn’t been the high darling of old, its 70% strike rate for the year is a fair distance for yesterday’s showing. In fact, it was donut command in how it landed outside the zone or down the pipe often, leading to a massive bamboolzin’ of six runs in the first inning as he struggled to find a way out.
I can understand the thoughts that deGrom is pitching through an injury, considering his health track record + a glute injury and a recent triceps fatigue injury scare that had him end his start early on August 13th only to fan ten in six shutout on the 20th. I can understand them so well because I agree with them. Something was obviously bothering him and while you won’t hear a pitcher tell you this was the problem after the game (he said “tonight’s on me”), that’s a pitcher taking the blame instead of making an excuse. In the end, if deGrom does make his next start, it means the Rangers didn’t consider him unhealthy, and I’m going for it. Get ready to move him to the IL soon, though. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Clay Holmes (CHC) @ ARI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 93 pitches.
Whooooa. The Cubs have pushed Holmes to throw a slider/cutter that is vastly different from the cutter he had before. This is essentially an 84/85 mph gyro with a bit extra drop (-4″ roughly) and it did a great job returning whiffs down and away to RHB. Meanwhile, the sinker was brilliant to LHB for outs along the edges, and the sweeper + changeup helped here and there. But the velocity was down a tick! Yeah, it was. I care more about execution and letting Koufax take care of things. The Adobe is as fortified as ever. You can rest easy, now. (View Game Card)
Michael King (SDP) vs PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.
I’ll take it all day, even if it still feels off. That’s just your vibes, Nick. This is always “just vibes”. The four-seamer and changeup had fantastic pitch separation to LHB, each earning plenty of whiffs, but the sinker and sweeper just hung out in the zone without a problem. I can’t say I’m totally confident starting him against the Reds up next, but I don’t think we have a choice. At least the two starts after are solid. (View Game Card)
Paul Skenes (PIT) @ SDP (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 87 pitches.
After 60% four-seamers, he’s back down to 29% here. THANK YOU. He sat over 97 mph, featured all his offerings, featured a ton more sinkers to RHB, and looked all kinds of dominant. This is so much better. (View Game Card)
Adrian Houser (SFG) vs CIN (ND) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 26 pitches.
Houser was pulled early with an elbow injury and I’m devastated. First Carson, now Houser, and the Giants are suddenly in dire need of more pitchers after Robbie + Mahle left at the deadline. Just Webb, Roupp, and Tidwell remain. I’m curious if someone interesting appears two fill in the voids. Probably not. What about Anthony Molina? He pitched after Houser. 4.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hit, 1 BB, 1 K in 53 pitches…maybe? He’s a high 18″ vert arm at 95/96 mph, but the slider and changeup leave a lot to be desired and his command is a bit messy. I’ll keep an eye on it.
George Kirby (SEA) vs PHI (W) – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 92 pitches.
Ohhhh, so NOW you show up throwing ched. Kirby sat 98 mph (typically 96/97) and incessantly pounded it up and in to LHB for 9/29 whiffs, catalyzing his Gallows Pole. He even added a little bit of vert, while his secondaries all lost vert (that’s good!) and it makes me wonder if he raised his arm angle a bit to make this happen. I’m super happy he returned a game like this where he clearly was upset and just fired it harder, though it looks like an outlier from here. You’re still holding the fella, and let’s all hope it’s the new norm. (View Game Card)
Chris Bassitt (BAL) @ STL (W) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 99 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! A Gold Star for Bassitt, who not only traveled all the way into the seventh, but did so while throwing harder. 93/94 mph velocity and 1-2 ticks up on everything is a lovely sight + this was your standard sinkers for called strikes with a lean on cutters and curveballs as the rest of the neighborhood showed up for a little action. Koufax was friendly, the park was friendly, the hitters were aggressively friendly, and it was swell. Don’t you dare go thinking it’ll happen again during a stop in Sacré Verde. (View Game Card)
Zac Thornton (NYM) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
It’s the second coming of Nick Martinez as Thornton put up another successful start with few earned runs and almost fewer strikeouts. He’s returning a ton of soft contact and maybe that’s just how it is. Thornton is acting like a vet in his rookie season. With the Astros and Giants up next, I think it could be more of the same, especially with a slew of RHB ready to get jammed all over again. The floor is a 3/4 ER outing without any strikeouts to salvage, for what it’s worth. (View Game Card)
Seth Lugo (KCR) @ TOR (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.
Hey now, 12 whiffs?! Lugo, do you realize that’s the most whiffs you’ve earned in a game all season?! We saw a much better feel for his curveball down to LHB + the cutter had some fun inside the zone, but in reality, it’s the normal Lugo that went his way. Yay. I’m not banking on that. (View Game Card)
Kyle Harrison (MIL) @ NYM (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
The four-seamer and curveball command were there, the velocity and changeup were not. Harrison was still able to have success with his 94 mph heater, but the lower velo hurts his curveball (3/32 whiffs) and I have no idea why he hates his changeup so much these days. Welp, he’s still effective, so I’m letting this ride. Please get that velocity back. (View Game Card)
Tyler Phillips (MIA) vs BOS (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 84 pitches.
Wow, they let him get so close to completing five frames for just the second time in four games. Womp womp. I love his 75% secondaries approach, especially when everything returned 68%+ strikes outside of the the curve and slider (22% usage combined). Sadly, he’s still a little erratic in general and the Marlins don’t want to push him. The Nationals do look kinda tasty though…NO. Will somebody PLEASE think of the floor?! (View Game Card)
Jackson Jobe (DET) vs TBR (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 86 pitches.
Oh look, it’s Jobe’s fourth start and he still hasn’t eclipsed four strikeouts, despite hurling 97/98 mph four-seamers and legit 91 mph sliders. You have nothing! Nothing to do with all your strength! I moved on from Jobe in my 12-teamer and if he is the worst arm on your squad, I suggest you do too. Remember, the higher floor you create, the better chance of winning. (View Game Card)
Mason Adams (COL) @ WSN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 75 pitches.
That’s a pretty solid MLB debut with all things considered. Too bad the 93 mph heater with terrible shape and interesting two-plane breakers are likely to get blasted in Coors. (View Game Card)
Gage Jump (ATH) vs MIN (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 94 pitches.
Wow. Jump is the ultimate 15-team HIPSTER, eh? His last four games have two combining for 20 strikeouts, and two combining for 4 strikeouts. You really don’t know if he’ll be able to execute his breakers and four-seamer well enough on a given day, even in Sacré Verde. Welcome to the life of rookie pitchers. Man is he going to be hard to rank for 2027. He has breakout potential, of course, and he also could be the same pitcher in a terrible home park. That’s 2027, what about @TEX up next? Uhhh, flip a coin? (View Game Card)
Aaron Nola (PHI) @ SEA (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 92 pitches.
THE RIDE CONTINUES. His curveball was great, the Mariners LHB succumbed to some brilliant front-hip sinkers, and he STILL allowed a HR. Really smart of Nola to get it out of the way in the second to lead off the inning to prevent a worse outing. Do you trust this Vargas Rule to continue against the Sneks next? I think you are in a 15-teamer, but I’m still out in shallower. (View Game Card)
Payton Tolle (BOS) @ MIA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 97 pitches.
Tolle failed a bit with his sinker, leading to a few laborious times on the bump, but overall, we’re cool with this. Just don’t allow lead off HRs in the sixth inning and you’ll get yourself to ten wins this year. (View Game Card)
Will Warren (NYY) vs HOU (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 97 pitches.
You have Warren for the Win potential at the cost of questionable ratios. Like making a handoff in a “twist” movie, this exchange went poorly. And I say “twist” movie as we ALWAYS know that handoff is going to go poorly. They really need a place with a rotating bulletproof plastic door or something. (View Game Card)
Max Scherzer (TOR) vs KCR (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.
Ayyy an almost Wonka saved by one run! So what you’re saying is…The dude walked five in five innings with four more baserunners. This hurts. It’s gonna hurt some more, too. (View Game Card)
Bryce Elder (ATL) vs LAD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 98 pitches.
A PQS against the Dodgers exceeds our expectations, while it also is not worthwhile in standard formats, of course. I’d tell you to continue ignoring him per usual, but that would be a disservice with the Giants on the horizon. So you like that start? Oh, heavens no, I can only imagine a situation where you’d try it out on a Monday. (View Game Card)
Ian Seymour (TBR) @ DET (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
Seymour has opened for but didn’t give us the fruits of his labor. A loss?! For a follower?! WHAT IS THIS?! Keep holding with the Mets next. (View Game Card)
Brady Singer (CIN) @ SFG (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 91 pitches.
A Philly from Singer, which may have been a product of throwing at Drew Gilbert to start the game, leading to a walk and another HBP to load the bases and eventually allow 2 ER in the frame. Otherwise, standard Singer execution with sliders super down and sinkers up. You know what he is. (View Game Card)
Tyler Glasnow (LAD) @ ATL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.
Here I was, breaking the rules of Still ILL. What was I thinking?! I’ve mentioned a ton how Glasnow lost his slider last year and never quite got it back this season, and despite failing to wrangle it during his rehab starts, Glasnow had the thing cooking for plenty of whiffs…and two hard-hit singles. I should also mention the horrific luck of not one, but TWO curveballs that would have landed in the dirt turning into poorly hit singles. Koufax, is this a joke to you?! At 89 pitches, you should be plugging Glasnow into your lineups without hesitation moving forward. (View Game Card)
Andrew Alvarez (WSN) vs COL (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 81 pitches.
Even against Rockie Road, y’all. Sigh. It had been four straight of at least 5 IP and 2 ER or fewer, but he threw over 50% heaters and his curveball wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen. I truly think you can do better off the wire. (View Game Card)
Walbert Ureña (LAA) vs CLE (ND) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 89 pitches.
Oh, you’re going to do this again? Ureña missed gloveside to LHB far more than we usually see as he pushed his changeup velocity even further to 92/93 mph. I’m not sure I actually want that, as it has the same movement as his sinker, and the larger velocity gap was a major part of the success. I’m still holding onto this (he shouldn’t return a 56% strike rate again) and with a LHB focused Yankee lineup, I think he should perform better. Just get that changeup away and stop missing so badly with four-seamers. (View Game Card)
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) vs CHC (ND) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 103 pitches.
Blegh. A three-run blast in the fourth was the difference, though Pfaadt’s stellar pitch separation wasn’t there in this one. It wasn’t a proper end of the Vargas Rule last time out with a poor final pitch, but this one has the signs of his rhythm getting disrupted. Be careful against the Phils. (View Game Card)
Taj Bradley (MIN) @ ATH (L) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 99 pitches.
It’s hard not to chuckle reading this line. A Golden Goal (with an immaculate inning that ended with a borderline low 100 mph heater that he meant to locate upstairs) and eleven strikeouts paired with a 6.75 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Yep, that’s a Taj line alright. I’ll blame Sacré Verde for some of it, and the fact that he returned 73% strikes across everything is astonishing. We press onward. (View Game Card)
Anthony Kay (CHW) vs TEX (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 99 pitches.
Womp womp. It’s the first truly blegh outing since June for Kay, and it wasn’t that way until a poor fifth frame where the floodgates opened for a trio of runs. He’s the same guy he was before: A 15-team Toby and nothing more. (View Game Card)
Ethan Pecko (HOU) @ NYY (ND) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 88 pitches.
Just like how Joe Rock belonged in Colorado, Pecko should be traded to the Padres. Would they fix him? Uh, probably not. Do you see that line? Yeah, HAISTBMBWT?! It’s 93 from the right side with mid secondaries he doesn’t throw for enough strikes. (View Game Card)
Gavin Williams (CLE) @ LAA (ND) – 1.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 62 pitches.
I’m sorry what. I watched this one and it was a rough time. He hung some curveballs that were smacked, a few mislocated fastballs were hit, and it just didn’t go his way. The only out in play was a bunt. A bunt! If he had his sweeper working better, this would have gone differently (he putaway the first batter of the game with it and earned four other whiffs with two foul balls but it ended with a 37% strike rate. Yuck), and you’d be unwise to change course. (View Game Card)
Matthew Liberatore (STL) vs BAL (L) – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 91 pitches.
Should I start this southpaw?!—-SHHHH. This is a Libby! But I want strikeouts–SHHH! The whiffs section is in the back. You’re in the “fantasy” section. Ahhh, thanks! (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Sean Burke vs. MacKenzie Gore – I just want both pitchers to be dope.
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 Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X)
