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 Twitch weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Jordan Wicks (CHC) @ PIT (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 80 pitches.
We had ourselves another MLB debut on Saturday with Jordan Wicks taking the mound for the Cubs. I generally avoid debuts and that was unwise as Hicks dominated the Pirates with a gorgeous 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 80 pitches. That came with a Win, even after allowing a HR to the very first batter (on a solid heater inside, FWIW), then allowing a hit and walk before tossing five shutout frames. Way to rebound. kid.
Wicks did this on the back of a super legit changeup. The pitch went 9/27 whiffs and was beautifully spotted down-and-armside through the outing, making me emit a few noises of appreciation. He chucked a decent sinker and four-seamer to pair with the slow ball + a cutter that can be a menace to left-handers.
All in all, it was a solid outing for Wicks in his first start taking over for Drew Smyly. If he has this changeup command, it’ll work. Fun stuff.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Tyler Glasnow (TB) vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 85 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Just four strikeouts is weird, the rest is not. He’s dope y’all.
Eury Pérez (MIA) vs WSH (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 76 pitches.
He’s really good y’all. We know the Marlins will be limiting him this year, and yet 76 pitches gave us six frames. THANK YOU EURY.
Touki Toussaint (CWS) vs OAK (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 94 pitches.
Huh. It was just 20% curveball usage as the splitter actually helped for a change and I considered Touki as a desperate strikeout play. Narrator: He wasn’t. This has Blame it on the Athletics all over it, so much so that a date with the Tigers next isn’t worth it to me. I need to see that curveball be the guy, you know?
Colin Selby (PIT) vs CHC (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 25 pitches.
He opened for Osvaldo Bido, who allowed 8 ER. Womp womp.
Fernando Cruz (CIN) @ ARI (ND) – 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 23 pitches.
It was mostly a bullpen game until Ben Lively went 5.2 IP of 3 ER. It was fine? I guess? Watching him go 4/66 whiffs overall didn’t do much to inspire hope for the future and I’d avoid Lively completely.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 83 pitches.
So his heaters were more middle than elevated, but at least they were heavily concentrated and not all around the place. Meanwhile, the slider is still great and even the splitter got involved. Here’s to hoping it’s a legit step forward as we obviously start him against the Mets next weekend.
Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs STL (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 80 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Gotta love the curveball showing up for 8 whiffs and a 56% CSW, turning his normal “four-seamer dominant” self into something worthy of a Gallows Pole. What a stud.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) @ TB (L) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 99 pitches.
Two unearned runs forced the Loss, but Schmidt came through for those streaming him here. And guess what, you’ve been now rewarded with two starts against the Tigers. Let it ride, let it ride.
Jake Irvin (WSH) @ MIA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 96 pitches.
Yeah no. I’m sorry, I wanted this to be some more glorious pitch separation n all, but this was a Blame it on the Marlins for the most part. He gets them a second time and feel free to take a shot. I’d only do it in desperate scenarios – his stuff just isn’t that good.
Zach Davies (ARI) vs CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 86 pitches.
This was a Still ILL and to see Davies have success despite sitting 2-3 ticks lower on the changeup was a bit odd, to say the least. He did spot it decently well, but I’m sitting against the Orioles next.
Joe Ryan (MIN) vs TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 80 pitches.
Yeah, that’s awesome. I don’t think this was the best four-seamer command we’ve seen from Ryan, but the splitter earned outs and the Rangers swung through plenty of pitches over the heart of the plate. There’s still work to be done with the slider (and four-seamer spots, for that matter), but for a Still ILL against an elite awesome, I love it.
Ryan Walker (SF) vs ATL (ND) – 1.2 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 31 pitches.
I really do feel for Sean Manaea, who was allowed to throw just 3.2 frames here. The man deserved a proper rotation spot this season and this is not a fun thing to be a part of.
Max Scherzer (TEX) @ MIN (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 101 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. It’s wonderful seeing Scherzer do exactly what he’s supposed to do.
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 87 pitches.
Bradish has been so dang good, with his slider looking at its peak with ten whiffs in this one. And guess what, just two four-seamers in play. THAT’S WHAT’S UP.
Max Fried (ATL) @ SF (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches.
Muuuuuch better. Let’s thank the Giants for making it so easy for Fried to get his footing. He had some legit pitch separation and here’s to hoping it’s the proper rebound that sets him off into the sunset.
Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs SD (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 94 pitches.
This really is getting dumb. Is he an AGA now? That’s 59 strikeouts in six starts, which is absolutely bonkers and the ratios have come with it. Yeah, I think he’s earned it. Aces. Gonna. Ace.
Hyun Jin Ryu (TOR) vs CLE (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 70 pitches.
He allowed a pair of solo shots, but as a Toby, Ryu did his part and earned you a Win. I’d avoid in Coors and Texas two after that, but swoop in for a stream against the Athletics all day.
Chris Flexen (COL) @ BAL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.
Well that’s pretty cool. Flexen had a lovely changeup (7/29 whiffs) to go along with the four-seamer and cutter and it worked well against the Orioles offense. We skip him against the Jays of course, but I can’t help but wonder if he’ll be able to squeak out production in Arizona after. Probably not, but a man can dream. I wish I could sleep right now, BUT THE ROUNDUP MUST GET DONE.
Hunter Brown (HOU) @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.
And this is why you keep rostering Brown. I won’t say it was the best version of him, but the slider and curve were good enough while the four-seamer was elevated more times than not. That works against the Tigers and probably should against the Yankees, too.
Chase Silseth (LAA) @ NYM (ND) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 58 pitches.
Scary moment in this one as Silseth took a throw to first to the head and was quickly transported to the hospital. As for this single start (which matters far less in comparison), his slider was oddly missing (just six thrown) and he wasn’t looking like the guy who once made us intrigued.
Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) vs HOU (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 96 pitches.
Huh. The Astros are annoying as anything, but I don’t actually think Erod pitched to the tune of four walks and one strikeout. Let’s forget this one and enjoy the far easier matchups moving forward.
James Paxton (BOS) vs LAD (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 92 pitches.
It was the Dodgers, sure, but the heater was down 1.5 ticks and it’s getting harder and harder to not believe his downward trend will get rectified soon. I think we have to give it at least one more go against the Royals next, but I feel your anxiety. It ain’t fun. When is anxiety ever fun? Good point.
Dakota Hudson (STL) @ PHI (L) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 105 pitches.
Well dangit. I was really hoping Hudson’s new slider adoration and improved SwStr would carry him, but the walks returned, the whiffs disappeared, and he gave us a HAISTBMBWT?! Welp, that’s a whole lot of disappointment. I know it’s pretty easy to ignore Hudson after this, but the slider wasn’t nearly as poor as the line suggests and he could rebound against the Pirates. Justin sayin’.
Pedro Avila (SD) @ MIL (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 78 pitches.
He didn’t pitch so terribly, but there’s not a whole lot for us to latch onto here. There are many better options to turn to in your leagues – don’t vote for Pedro.
Logan Allen (CLE) @ TOR (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 62 pitches.
Yeaaaaah. Allen is a Toby and not the kind of pitcher to start against the Jays.
Carlos Carrasco (NYM) vs LAA (L) – 1.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 49 pitches.
Please stop. Seriously. Stop.
JP Sears (OAK) @ CWS (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 98 pitches.
This might sound weird, but it was really just two changeups that I massively disagreed with and believed to be deserving of punishment, while the rest of this was getting Singled Out. Sears is still collecting whiffs with four-seamers and sweepers and we’ll likely continue to see it against the Mariners next. Thing is, Sears hasn’t had many productive starts in the second half, and unless you’re chasing strikeouts, you likely want to avoid it.
Julio Urías (LAD) @ BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 91 pitches.
You’re telling me that 15 called strikes on curveballs resulted in a 9.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP?! What a world we live in. Enjoy the King Cole, Urías, you deserve some positivity after that.
Jordan Lyles (KC) @ SEA (L) – 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 81 pitches.
Womp womp. Despair Jordan strikes again.
Game of the Day
Carlos Rodón vs. Tampa Bay Rays – I have a feeling, y’all. This is the one.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
Have Questions? – Join my morning Twitch livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)