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 weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.
Adrian Martinez (OAK) vs NYY (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.
I won’t go into it too long, but Adrian Martinez has a mighty fine changeup and it shone during his 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches success against the Yankees. 72% strikes, consistently low locations, a 24% SwStr rate, and plenty of outs has made me interested in the Oakland starter and I have to wonder if he’ll continue to be helpful in your fantasy leagues.
The sinker isn’t such a bad pitch as well, here boasting an extra tick of velocity at 94.5 mph and earning eleven called strikes, while the slider did its part with 42% CSW. It all kinda works. This isn’t a proclamation that Martinez is the next big thing, but he should be on your radar moving forward, moreso than Adam Oller from the night before, in my view. This approach and arsenal can work with regular frequency, even if it has some growing pains against the Orioles next week.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Germán Márquez (COL) @ NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 102 pitches.
Well ain’t this unexpected. There’s nothing out of the ordinary to report, though, so I have no choice but to do the thing. Márquez has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter.
Robbie Ray (SEA) vs CLE (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 103 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He’s found the rhythm of four-seamers up, sinkers armside, and sliders down, and I LOVE it. What a wonderful addition that sinker has been, much to my surprise.
Roansy Contreras (PIT) @ PHI (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 89 pitches.
Whoa, that’s a King Cole for Contreras as the slider was once again vicious, but this time, the four-seamer wasn’t swatted. Lovely work, I wish it weren’t the Jays next. Roansy is obviously in a great place with his breaker, but it feels a touch too risky as we don’t know whether this will last. We’ll see.
Adam Wainwright (STL) vs ATL (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 100 pitches.
Business as usual for Waino, even if his hook didn’t earn a single whiff on the evening. No reason to stop the parade today.
Jake Odorizzi (ATL) @ STL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 86 pitches.
So we saw 73% four-seamers here from Odorizzi as he had NO TIME for tomfoolery today. YOU’RE GETTING THE HEAT AND YOU’RE GONNA LIKE IT. The Cardinals, did not, in fact, like it. Props to Odorizzi for surviving against the hottest crew out there and he’s been rewarded with a smoother evening against the Marlins next. Keep on keepin’ on.
Justin Verlander (HOU) vs BAL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 60 pitches.
Verlander was pulled early with a calf injury and we are all holding our breath for tomorrow’s MRI. I know y’all, I know.
Max Scherzer (NYM) vs COL (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 112 pitches.
Aces gonna ace and earn a Gallows Pole. I could see Scherzer complain to deGrom in the clubhouse after taking the loss. deGrom sighs and leans over and says, “First Time?”
Patrick Corbin (WSH) vs CIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 82 pitches.
Congrats, Corbin. You earned just your second Win since June 11th. You deserve a Birthday Party more than anyone else here.
Austin Voth (BAL) @ HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.
Okay okay okay, YOU CAN’T STOP THE VOTH. I’m pretty shocked it worked out against a legit offense like the Astros, who just allowed Voth to land cutters and four-seamers incessantly into the zone, albeit well-placed down-and-away. I guess I’m in for his start against the Athletics now and so should you.
Julio Urías (LAD) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 101 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. 93.8 mph is plenty better than 92.7 and all is well here.
Tucker Davidson (LAA) @ TOR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
Blegh. But then again, we didn’t expect any better. So maybe just a Ble. I’ll save the gh for a day of true disappointment.
Adrian Sampson (CHC) @ MIL (ND) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 61 pitches.
I imagine many of you barely know about Sampson. That’s alright, we can save it for later. Go, run along now.
Dylan Cease (CWS) vs ARI (ND) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 103 pitches.
Phew. Aces gonna ace and it’s been too dang long since we saw a Cease start like this one. It’s good to have some of the command back (not all of it. Some.).
Zach Davies (ARI) @ CWS (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 85 pitches.
Ah, it was good to see his changeup look more like its vintage self, but even so, this is barely a successful outing for trusting managers. He’s a desperate streamer who gives you a chance for production, but nothing more.
Drew Hutchison (DET) @ TEX (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 88 pitches.
Huh. That’s 4 ER total across Hutch’s last three starts now and he’s destined to face the Royals on Saturday. Do I like it? Naaaah. Do I blame you for trying it on like a Christmas sweater from your Aunt? I sure don’t.
Aaron Sanchez (MIN) vs SF (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 81 pitches.
Yeeeesh. He still went heavy on the curve, but it wasn’t doing enough and there wasn’t a Plan B for Mr. Sanchez. Welp, it was a fun idea.
Nick Lodolo (CIN) @ WSH (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 104 pitches.
Yeah, I’ll definitely take this from Lodolo. The curve was wicked with its 41% CSW (though not that consistent with a 52% strike rate), while the heater worked well in the zone. The change is lagging behind, though, and I think it’s the last piece of the puzzle…well once he can get that curve comfortably to a 60%+ strike rate. Stick with him with Rockie Road on the horizon.
Corey Kluber (TB) @ BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
Ehhhh, alright the Win makes it okay. I guess. He’s a Toby alright.
Ross Stripling (TOR) vs LAA (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 77 pitches.
It’s one earned too many, but overall, not bad. That WHIP helps, the strikeouts are solid, and it’s great to see his four-seamer return 9/29 whiffs. That’s legit and well-deserved as he located them exceptionally well up-and-armside. I’m all for his next start against the Pirates as I’m loving this version of Strip.
Jonathan Heasley (KC) vs SD (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.
After booting on the bump last time out, credit to Heasley for striking out seven, even if he allowed one earned run too many (I do say that a lot, don’t I. Sorry). Solid pitch separation, too. And I can’t help but be a little intrigued with the Tigers next on the docket. Oh Heasley, don’t make me regret this…
Aaron Civale (CLE) @ SEA (L) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 89 pitches.
A bit of Careful, Icarus here as Civale had a PQS before coming out for the seventh. I love seeing 71% cutters + curve and it gives him a chance to produce each night. He’s a Toby.
Eric Lauer (MIL) vs CHC (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 101 pitches.
Lauer, this was the Cubs. You just made it through the Dodgers (twice!) with 2 ER in 12 IP and now, against the Cubs, you allow 2 ER with a 2.00 WHIP with a 92 mph heater?! SERENITY NOW! Do whatever you want y’all, I’ve got nothing for ya.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) @ OAK (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches.
Schmidt came out of the gates swinging with 45% slider usage here, returning a whopping 43% CSW and propelling seven strikeouts. He sadly didn’t have much else to offer, though, which led to a ragged time for his first start of the 2022 season. There’s hope he can rebound against the Rays this week, though it can go either way.
Noah Syndergaard (PHI) vs PIT (L) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 95 pitches.
Ummm, Thor. Buddy. Pal. This was the Pirates and you’re a Toby. Look at Kyle Gibson over there (Hi, NOT NOW KYLE), he knows how this is supposed to go. WHY CAN’T YOU BE MORE LIKE HIM!?
Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs TB (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 100 pitches.
Womp womp. Pivetta got the green light against the Rays and burned us for it. The command really just isn’t there. Let him go, y’all.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs LAD (L) – 5.2 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 102 pitches.
This was the first elite offense Cabrera has faced and our concerns about his command were sadly realized. The curve was lovely, though, and it does make me excited for the future – plus curve and plus change?! – but there are obviously some kinks to iron out here still, with the changeup returning just a 19% CSW and the heaters faring poorly. Keep your chin up, he should be better not facing teams like the Dodgers.
Jakob Junis (SF) @ MIN (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.
Womp womp. Okay, so only Cobb can handle the Twins. Got it. Junis did his best with sliders, but using the sinker 43% of the time ain’t it. It’s just not that good.
Sean Manaea (SD) @ KC (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 79 pitches.
Manaea has allowed at least 3 ER in three of his last four starts. His opponents? SFG, @MIA, and now @KCR. Next? The Dodgers. We’re doomed. No, you can, you know, drop the man.
Kohei Arihara (TEX) vs DET (L) – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
Okay Tigers, I GET IT. You’re okay at home. Sometimes. What about Kohei? Oh, you already know.
Game of the Day
Tony Gonsolin vs. Pablo López – It’s Pablo against the goliath. Let’s see him take ’em down. Oh and I guess Gonsolin is there 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 Steven King/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)