Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – King’s Crossing

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 Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.  

Michael King (NYY) @ DET (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 61 pitches.

I sure didn’t expect to talk about Michael King today, but after going far longer as a starter in today’s game against the Tigers – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 61 pitches – I figure I’d give my two cents on King in case he actually gets stretched out further.

I think he can be a solid Toby, though it may take a bit to get there and ultimately not worth consideration for now. His repertoire consists of a sinker that steals called strikes among the best relievers, while the slider is a vicious horizontal sweeper…that struggles to earn consistent strikes. There is a decent four-seamer and changeup in the mix as well, but if he’s going to be that solid ratio arm, it’ll be on the back of the sinker and sweeper.

There’s a chance here, and we may be in luck that it’s the Astros up next, making our decision not to pursue him easier as he gets stretched out to 70 pitches or so. If he’s looking fine there (and this is assuming the Yankees are actually going with this, of course), I’m all for jumping it when he’s around 75-80+ pitches against the Brewers and Red Sox. This is the kind of pickup many managers miss out on when they don’t realize King can actually toss 5-6 innings after relieving all season. Make a mental note of it.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:

 

Cole Ragans (KC) vs PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 108 pitches.

PEW PEW PEW. Ragans did it again, this time venturing into the seventh frame and somehow not getting pulled when allowing his fourth baserunner of the game. I was slightly worried around pitch 105 when his heaters sat 94/95, ending on 95.7 mph dotting the corner (not flirting with 100 mph like last time), but he’ll be fine. He’s a h*ckin’ unicorn, commanding all five of his pitches once again (well, maybe not the curve so much) and avoiding the heart of the plate. It’s truly stupid and I hope you’ve jumped on the train. I can’t give him the vaunted label yet, of course, but…You can’t spell Ragans without AGA.

Justin Steele (CHC) vs MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 111 pitches.

He stayed in the game after taking a comebacker, grinding six frames of beauty just for you. Definitely not Chicago. Nope. His slider was well inside the zone this time around – much more than usual – while the four-seamer did stay in the top third this time around. It does feel like Steele creeps more and more over the plate with each start, but the breaker doing the leaking more than heaters works for me.

José Quintana (NYM) vs TEX (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.

There’s your Gold Star for the night as Quintana thrived against the mighty Rangers offense. He went more east-west than the traditional BSB we see from him and I’m not just thrilled that it worked, but also that he’s out of the gauntlet and ready for some sunshine against the Nats and Sneks. WE’RE BACK IN, BOYZ.

Andrew Heaney (TEX) @ NYM (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 81 pitches.

This Cherry Bomb was sweet and you need starts like these to retain the label. Otherwise, it’s just like when I play NFL Blitz – exclusively Da Bomb.

Colin Selby (PIT) @ KC (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 18 pitches.

He opened for Luis L. Ortiz, who dazzled opposite Ragans with 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches. His four-seamer returned a 33% strike rate, which made it so important for a new changeup to appear for 41% CSW and a good slider to land down constantly. Is it enough to trust him against the Brewers? Probably not as I wouldn’t expect the slow ball to be this good, but at least there’s a chance.

Gavin Williams (CLE) @ MIN (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 13% CSW, 30 pitches.

Gavin left this one early with knee soreness, forcing Hunter Gaddis to chuck 71 pitches and three innings of decent baseball. I hope Gavin’s alright, please ignore Hunter, even though he pulled off a lovely BSB.

Alex Cobb (SF) vs CIN (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 131 pitches.

Whoaaaaa. Cobb was one out away from a no-hitter, chucking 83 splitters on the night. Yeah, I think he has “The Thing” back again. Sadly it’s the Padres next + 131 pitches are sure to give him a bit of a hangover (or the Giants give him some extra rest), making that next one still an avoid, even if the splitter is better now.

Corbin Burnes (MIL) @ CHC (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 108 pitches.

The WHIP is rough, but thank the curve for waking up and helping the cutter this time around. I think we’re resigned to Burnes being an SP #2 the rest of the way, not an AGA guy as his success is too dependent on that breaker, but maybe he actually has it consistently now. That would be lovely.

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs CWS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.

It’s still a really good cutter. The four-seamer…meh, but that cutter? Smoother than the blue scissors from kindergarten. The best cutter. The Angels are up next and there’s no reason not to dive back in there.

Charlie Morton (ATL) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.

Coors Schmoors. Morton still had the curve working and even gave you a luscious WHIP for once, en route to a Gallows Pole. He’s so good when his four-seamer and cutter aren’t walloped.

Jesse Scholtens (CWS) @ BAL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 91 pitches.

He chucked a whole lot of sliders over the plate that found gloves and I can’t say I’m shocked to see a HAISTBMBWT?! in the end. There are worse dart throws with him getting the Royals and Tigers next, but I ain’t chasing it in 12-teamers. Noooo thank you.

Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs ARI (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 79 pitches.

That’s TATIAGA for you. Allowing just one run on a 1-2 curveball that Corbin Carroll somehow launched over the fence. I don’t think we’re going to see many seven-inning games from Kersh down the stretch as the Dodgers preserve his health, but he’ll still produce plenty.

MacKenzie Gore (WSH) @ TOR (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 106 pitches.

This came with the BSB approach we want from Gore, but sadly the whiffs and CSW didn’t follow. I think he needs to leave D.C. for him to be the man he’s supposed to be.

Ken Waldichuk (OAK) @ SEA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 91 pitches.

Ehhhh, he’s still a Young Gun. There’s a whole lot of polish left to add as I wait for Waldichuk to be a pitcher, not a thrower.

Tarik Skubal (DET) vs NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 97 pitches.

That’s a King Cole from Skubal as his four-seamer went 48% CSW (despite being located down a whole lot. Weird) and a 50% CSW on his changeup – his two most thrown offerings. And now he gets the White Sox twice + LAA. Yeah, this is lovely.

Seth Lugo (SD) @ STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.

Another start of decent production from Lugo and annoyingly without a Win. It’s just not fair, y’all.

J.P. France (HOU) @ BOS (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.

France was clearly on a mission to eradicate last week’s monstrosity, turning to a four-seamer/curve approach instead of his traditional kitchen sink. It worked, clearly, and his face hath been saved. Bon fait, France. So we start him regularly again? Ummmm no. It’s the Rangers next, so let’s wait for the Athletics after.

Aaron Civale (TB) @ MIA (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 96 pitches.

Yep, that’s some good ole Toby baseball. That 1.40 WHIP ain’t pretty, but you got what you wanted and we move on.

Brayan Bello (BOS) vs HOU (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.

The new slider is still here, though I’m not sure how good it actually is. The only damage came off back-to-back jacks in the first and the typical sinker/change did most of the work per usual. If only you got one more out…So close to feeling decent about this one. He’s safe moving forward now that Houston is out of the way.

Zack Thompson (STL) vs SD (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 91 pitches.

Whoa, we got some BSB here with high heaters + low cutters + his curve mixing over the plate, though he wasn’t as precise as we ideally wanted, turning in four inefficient frames and ending his start early. Now he gets Atlanta + Cincy + the Phils and I think it’s best to consider something else. Super curious if he cracks the rotation out of 2024 camp, though.

Pablo López (MIN) vs CLE (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 97 pitches.

It’s a VVVPQS for PabLó as the Guardians swatted his changeup and four-seamer plenty. I’m not worried at all and see the same skills present that got him here. Keep the course.

Michael Lorenzen (PHI) vs LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.

That’s a VVPQS with an unearned run and I’m not sure if it’s enough for me to get back on the train. Are you starting him against the Padres? I wouldn’t.

Brandon Williamson (CIN) @ SF (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 105 pitches.

With a few runs removed by the scorekeeper, Williamson secured a PQS and I guess we’re okay with it paired with a lovely 1.00 WHIP and five strikeouts. Still, the Giants? Really?! Blame the changeup floating for just 46% strikes. Stupid slowball, thinks it owns the place…

Peter Lambert (COL) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 87 pitches.

Honestly, this could have been a lot worse hosting Atlanta in Colorado. Still detrimental in every way, just not an atrocity. There’s a difference.

Luke Weaver (SEA) vs OAK (L) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 70 pitches.

Kirby was scratched due to illness, pushing Weaver into the starting spot and making you question why you made toast in the first place. HAISTBMBWT?!

Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs TB (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 110 pitches.

Sandy noooooo. I blame the change and slider being hung a bit inside the zone and he wasn’t able to execute those much-needed pitches when he needed them. We know what he’s capable of and there’s not a whole lot we can do about it. The difficult part is LAD + @PHI + ATL up next. It’s that scene in the movie where things are looking bad and suddenly a massive shadow looms above. This isn’t a good shadow, is it? No. No it’s not. HANG IN THERE SANDY.

José Berríos (TOR) vs WSH (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.

Two whiffs Berríos?! Two?! This marks three of your last four games that have been clunkers and I’m getting a touch worried now. That said, it’s Oakland + Kansas City next so we have no choice. Figure it out.

Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 78 pitches.

Womp womp. The changeup is still solid, but it ain’t enough. He’s still capable of six frames n all; it’s just a low chance and only if you’re desperate for it against Baltimore next.

Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 12 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 87 pitches.

Ouch. Like your Live Journal growing up, there’s no reason to read deep into this. The Dodgers are elite and Kelly had better command than the results suggest.

 

Game of the Day

 

Hunter Greene vs. Logan Webb – Please Greene, I know it’s in you. Webb, it’s time for your redemption, 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 courtesy of Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@bearydoesgfx on Twitter)