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.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Matt Wilkinson (SFG) vs ARI (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.
Nicknames are a quick way to enter the consciousness of baseball fans, but if it isn’t supported by on-field success, they can just as quickly become something at which to poke fun.
Matt Wilkinson, affectionately dubbed “Tugboat”, has been a staple in the baseball community without the prospect pedigree that usually accompanies an anticipated promotion. The southpaw was a star in the 2015 Little League World Series, fanning 16 batters in his signature performance. At Central Arizona College in 2023, he earned NJCAA D1 Pitcher of the Year honors. He even pitched for Team Canada in the 2026 WBC.
Traded to the Giants in exchange for Patrick Bailey earlier this year, Tugboat finally made his MLB debut in August, making a pair of relief appearances to little fanfare. With the Giants starting corps in shambles due to injuries to three rotation regulars, Wilkinson was called upon to make his first MLB start in the matinee of the club’s doubleheader on Friday. Hosting the Diamondbacks, he tossed 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches (L). As the 27th man, he’ll head right back to the minors, but with openings in the rotation and rosters expanding in September, should we be buying our tickets to ride the Tugboat in September?
As with any lefty sporting a changeup, we’re on #SWATCHWATCH. He pairs his 83-84 mph changeup that he commands well downstairs with a 90-91 mph two-plane four-seamer that plays up due to his above-average 6.7′ of extension and flat attack angle (1.5 HAVAA). The tertiary offerings are a slow, sub-80 mph slider and an 83 mph cutter, which I think would be more accurately labeled sweepers and sliders, respectively. With a large and durable frame (6’1″, 250 lbs), he’s got the build to be an MLB workhorse.
Pitching with underwhelming velocity and without dominant stuff, Tugboat will be heavily reliant on his ability to command his pitches, mix speeds, and separate his locations. He didn’t do that to enough of a degree on Saturday that I’d be willing to trust him as a streamer in all but the deepest of leagues. However, with a dope nickname, a fun story, and pitching for my hometown team, I can’t help but root for Tugboat to rally the baseball community behind him. (View Game Card)
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) @ LAA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BB, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 91 pitches.
This is what Sánchez is capable of when Koufax pats him on the back. With a Golden Goal keyed by changeup domination (11 whiffs, 41% CSW), he wrapped up an impressive August, during which he pitched to a 1.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 30% strikeout rate. It was his best month outside of his scoreless May. Yes, even at his best, he won’t be a WHIP asset because of his reliance on the whims of BABIP. (View Game Card)
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ SFG (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 100 pitches.
From Holly to HIPSTER. Kelly was once a reliable starter who we could count on to provide consistent, yet unspectacular performances. Now, he’s unpredictable, living and dying by his feel for his changeup rather than the opponent he was facing. It was worth flipping the coin in Oracle Park, and as you’d expect given the line, his slowball induced whiffs and earned strikes. It took a little help from Koufax with 13 outs on 15 balls in play, but he was a ground ball machine (67% ground balls) and deserved his success here. Up to you if you want to flip the coin again in Houston. (View Game Card)
Nolan McLean (NYM) vs HOU (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.
The man known for his breakers instead turned into a Ras Pack impersonator, throwing a trio of fastball variants 82% of the time. It’s not like they performed well either, nor did he have any reason to give up on his offspeed offerings early on. This was especially confusing facing a RHB-heavy Astros lineup perfectly suited to be vulnerable to McLean’s horizontal movement. Regardless, he induced a ton of weak contact and Koufax blew him a kiss, allowing him to return 17 outs on 19 balls in play while completing seven frames for the fourth time this year. It may not make sense, but he seems to always have something to get it done. (View Game Card)
Jake Bennett (BOS) @ NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 83 pitches.
When you see success from Bennett, you should know exactly what he did. Successfully pulled off the BSB with four-seamers and changeups. You know it! Even with a smaller velo gap between the heater and slowball, they combined for nine whiffs and four Ks, and received ample support from a sinker that lived around the edges to great effect (47% CSW, 82% strikes). Bennett’s command has been looking like it did in July, so we’re safe streaming him in the first half of September @BAL/vs LAA/@TEX. (View Game Card)
Cade Cavalli (WSN) vs MIA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 46% CSW, 70 pitches.
Well on his way to another dominant performance with eight punchouts across four hitless frames, Cavalli was struck in the ankle by a comebacker and was forced to leave the game. Let’s hope he’s good to make his next start, because it’ll be a real test of his skills as he’s forced to audition for acedom in Hollywood. (View Game Card)
Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) @ STL (W) – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hit, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 50 pitches.
Pitching in bulk relief of opener Lake Bachar, Mlodzinski threw seven different pitches to record 10 outs. If I were in his shoes, I think I’d only be able to throw two pitches – ball or home run. (View Game Card)
Zach Agnos (COL) @ ATL (ND) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BB, 1 K – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 42 pitches.
A Rockies bullpen game. The sentence speaks for itself. (View Game Card)
Martín Pérez (ATL) vs COL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 83 pitches.
Facing Rockie Road, Pérez didn’t need to be perfect to keep his season-long Vargas Rule rolling, so he took his foot off the gas and threw 45% changeups. Despite a sub-60% strike rate, they induced 11 whiffs and six punchouts, while his trio of fastball variants and surprise curveball kept hitters off balance. I was on a boat today and am still experiencing the sensation of swaying water, so I know how they were feeling. (View Game Card)
Keider Montero (DET) vs LAD (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BB, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 73 pitches.
The toughest matchup can light a fire under anyone. I doubt anyone started WHIP merchant Montero against the mighty Dodgers, but if you did, props to you! He was a weak-contact machine and returned 13 outs on 17 balls in play as a result. He’s not your typical Koufax-reliant ground ball guy. His BABIP should be lower than most pitchers because he’s a fly ball pitcher who excels at producing weak popups and cans of corn. I can’t say I know what it is about the stuff that allows him to do that, though. (View Game Card)
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs CHW (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
Ober showcased his highest fastball velocity of the second half. Guess how fast it was! 82.7 mph. Wait, that was his changeup, honest mistake. His fastball clocked in at an eye-watering 87.5 mph. I don’t care that he has elite extension and succeeds from time to time. There’s no way I’m trusting the softest-tossing starter in the Majors. Not even in a rematch @CHW. (View Game Card)
Blake Snell (LAD) @ DET (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 99 pitches.
In four starts since returning from the IL, Snell hasn’t allowed more than one run. If he’s not pulling off the BSB and earning a co-share of the Gallows Pole, then baseball’s broken. Hot Snell Summer isn’t ending any time soon. It’ll continue through September as well, as I travel to Paris to experience Hot Snail Summer. (View Game Card)
Jack Perkins (ATH) vs BAL (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 80 pitches.
Perkins had a rare moment of surviving Sacré Verde. While it took him stranding 6/8 baserunners (he allowed an unearned run), he made a couple of pitch usage adjustments that might be interesting. I like seeing him lean on cutters instead of four-seamers, especially with the latter sitting a tick down and continuing to showcase lackluster attributes. The cutter could be the key to neutralizing LHB, taking pressure off his inconsistent changeup. Nonetheless, he’s still a sweeper-focused righty with poor control and a terrible home park. Stream him @SEA if you’re looking for strikeouts in deep leagues. (View Game Card)
Shane Drohan (MIL) vs TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BB, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 99 pitches.
Why are we cutting back on the cutter that made us feel more confident in you, particularly when facing a RHB-heavy Rangers lineup? It didn’t end up mattering, but he was way too sinker-happy for my liking. He has no reason to be throwing that pitch a third of the time while throwing 77% of his pitches against RHB. His command wasn’t great, and I think a stronger lineup punishes him for being so reliant on aggression. CIN x2 might be weak enough to let him skate by unimpeded. (View Game Card)
Ryan Johnson (LAA) vs PHI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 88 pitches.
You should be asking yourself what Johnson would have to do to get you interested…Oh, you’re waiting for my answer. I was genuinely interested in your opinion. It certainly isn’t more than twice as many walks as strikeouts and reduced velocity across the board. That cutter and slower cutter with a volatile splitter approach is unique, but not in a good way. (View Game Card)
Yunior Marte (SFG) vs ARI (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 76 pitches.
Marte has never started a game at the Major League level, and his last one came at Triple-A in 2021 when he was first with the Giants organization. After touring MLB and NPB, he’s back in San Francisco to start the second half of a doubleheader. With elite extension, an uninspiring 93-94 mph four-seamer, and not much else to support it besides a decent 85 mph slider, I understand why Marte has been kept hidden in the bullpen. (View Game Card)
Max Fried (NYY) vs BOS (ND) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 63 pitches.
In his return from an IL stint necessitated by an elbow bone bruise, Fried was limited as expected. What wasn’t expected was an arsenal-wide velo drop-off. Let’s write off this Still ILL and maybe give Fried one more start to expand his workload before we trust him as an elite Holly. (View Game Card)
Kyle Leahy (STL) vs PIT (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BB, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 51 pitches.
Leahy was on quite the run before the Cardinals abruptly decided to limit his pitch count for the rest of the season, yielding a chorus of groans from fantasy managers who had benefited from his sub-2.00 ERA and 26% strikeout rate across his previous 12 starts. He’s not worth chasing if he’s only going to throw 50-60 pitches because he won’t pitch long enough to qualify for a win, rack up counting stats, or impact your ratios. (View Game Card)
Shane Baz (BAL) @ ATH (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.
Baz had Sacré Verde in the palm of his hand with five scoreless frames, but he lost his command in the sixth, issuing a pair of walks, surrendering a pair of singles, and hitting a batter to chase him from the game. Careful, Icarus. I appreciated his willingness to cordon off his fastballs based on the handedness he was facing (sinker vs RHB, four-seamers vs LHB), but his curveball command wasn’t good enough (50% strikes), and he was unwilling to allow cutters to take center stage. It was a tough environment, so he’ll remain in the Questionable Start tier moving forward. (View Game Card)
Erick Fedde (CHW) @ MIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.
Fedde actually had pretty great pitch separation here. Even with his best command, this is what the peak looks like. That’s not even an exaggeration. Don’t Trust the Feddes. (View Game Card)
Foster Griffin (CLE) vs KCR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BB, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
Just three times this year has Griffin allowed more than two earned runs in consecutive starts. He allowed four and three in mid-April, nine and five in mid-May, and three, six, and five on the July-August turn. In every other start, he’s produced a 1.53 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 23% strikeout rate. Those are cherry-picked numbers, but they speak not only to his consistency this year, but also to his ability to quickly address league-wide adjustments, recover his command when it isn’t clicking, and bounce back from rough stretches. He’s a Toby worth holding through the end of the year. (View Game Card)
Carlos Rodón (NYY) vs BOS (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
For the second consecutive day, we had a three-way share of the Gallows Pole with 16 whiffs. Rodón was cruising through four frames and found himself with two outs in the fourth pretty quickly, but then it all fell apart. A single put two men on, a wild pitch scored one, a walk added another baserunner, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Ultimately, it was a 27-pitch fifth frame that knocked him out of the game and showcased his struggles putting batters away throughout the game. A 74% two-strike rate and a Gallows Pole should equal a boatload of strikeouts, but he was unable to sequence effectively to get those much-needed swings and misses in advantage counts. He’s still trying to find a rhythm after spending so much of the year on the IL. (View Game Card)
Kade Anderson (SEA) @ TOR (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 85 pitches.
Start #2 is in the books. Anderson actually exhibited increased velo despite the lack of adrenaline from his debut, sitting 94+ mph with his heater, which had improved vert, but only because he was pitching in a domed stadium. The most promising aspect of Anderson’s game has been his elite command, giving him a stable floor that’s only raised by his handedness. He was inefficient in two-strike counts here, going 0/10 putting batters away with his slider. He’ll need to get them below the zone to induce the whiffs necessary to record strikeouts and end at-bats early to make the most of his allotted 80-85 pitches. (View Game Card)
Daniel Lynch IV (KCR) @ CLE (ND) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 70 pitches.
In one of my least favorite experiments of the season, the Royals continue to stretch Lynch out to rejoin the rotation. Maybe there’s SWATCH potential if he can find some actual support for his changeup, but the Neckbeard approach with diminished stuff in an expanded role isn’t my cup of coffee. I like a lot of cream and sugar. This is like an Americano with tap water, instant coffee, and no additions. (View Game Card)
José Soriano (TOR) vs SEA (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
Soriano’s best attribute is his durability. He’s tied for 10th in MLB with 27 starts and is inside the top 20 qualified starters with 93 pitches per game. If he’s throwing strikes, he’ll make the most of his availability and long leash. He did so here, returning 69% overall strikes while living downstairs with everything. Unlike your weird uncle who lives in your great aunt’s basement, staying downstairs is pretty cool. As long as he switches it up with some surprise four-seamers upstairs to hunt strikeouts as he did twice here, I’m game. (View Game Card)
Cal Quantrill (TEX) @ MIL (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 88 pitches.
Is it really a continuation of his Vargas Rule if he returned PQS? He fanned eight batters for the first time since June 2024 and has induced double-digit whiffs in three of his last four starts. Fine! It’s a tough pill to swallow because we can never attempt to figure out The Unquantrillfiable, but this is a true Vargas Rule that deserves some respect with unintimidating matchups vs TBR and @SEA across the next two weeks. (View Game Card)
Nick Martinez (TBR) vs SDP (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.
Speaking of a Vargas Rule, Martinez continued his with a PQS of his own. Uninspiring, right? That’s sort of how it’s felt all year, and if you’re really paying attention, he’s stumbling to the finish line. His last six starts have produced a 4.71 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 17% strikeout rate. The WHIP is serviceable, but there are three other categories to account for. I’ll put it this way. If you’re holding onto Keider Montero in your league, then Martinez is worth holding. (View Game Card)
Walker Buehler (SDP) @ TBR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 1 Whiff, 20% CSW, 71 pitches.
Buehler had five frames of two-run ball under his belt, was sent out for the sixth, served up a dinger to the dangerous Junior Caminero in a seven-pitch battle, and promptly received a hook. Where’s the conviction?! If you’re going to send him out for the fifth, give him more than one tough batter before calling it quits. He had just one whiff. In that at-bat? The whole game. Oh. Why didn’t he get pulled earlier?! You were saying something about conviction? (View Game Card)
Cristian Javier (HOU) @ NYM (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 78 pitches.
Javier caught my eye with a Gallows Pole via 21 whiffs in his last start, but it didn’t come with positive results, so I was pumped to see what he did in his encore. With Bennett Sousa opening, there was even an increased chance of a win. We were somewhat let down, as a difficult fifth frame facing the order for the second time produced damaging results, as he kept getting beat on well-placed pitches. The silver lining is that the whiffs were still flowing and he showcased increased velocity across the board. He’s looked more like a PEAS this year, and I’m willing to watch from afar in September before making him a late-round, high-upside pick in 2027 drafts. (View Game Card)
Mitch Bratt (ARI) @ SFG (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 52 pitches.
Bratt was called up to make a spot start in the second half of a doubleheader in San Francisco. It’s possible he was distracted by his post-game plans at the Pokémon World Championships being held in the city, as he sat 1-2 ticks down and threw 71% four-seamers. Alright, let’s get this over with. I’ve got places to be! I don’t blame you, Mitch. Those scalpers don’t sleep. (View Game Card)
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ WSN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BB, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
I was so excited about the Sandy vs Cavalli matchup, but Cade got hurt, and Alcantara got Singled Out for all four runs in the third. He struggled to find a putaway pitch all game, returning a mere 21% putaway rate, leading to a heavier reliance on batted balls than you like to see. I’m willing to write off the results here, but Alcantara has struggled to fan batters consistently, striking out three or fewer in three of his last four starts. He needs a more intentional approach in two-strike counts rather than just a kitchen sink of surprise. You’ve got overwhelming stuff! Blow a heater by them! Rip off a nasty sweeper or a changeup! Bust ’em inside with a sinker or cutter! I think he might be overwhelmed with the amount of options. (View Game Card)
Brayan Bello (BOS) @ NYY (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BB, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.
Alec Gamboa opened for Bello, and Koufax closed the deal. This was terrible luck. All five hits against him were singles, 4/6 baserunners came around to score, and the official scorer didn’t award him any unearned runs despite an error during a three-run third. I’m writing this off and finding hope in the 2.14 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 20% strikeout rate he’s produced since returning from the minors. (View Game Card)
Kevin Gausman (CHC) vs CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 102 pitches.
Gausman should be better than this. He’s rarely gotten the muted BABIP that comes with pitching for the Cubs, and he’s found it difficult to avoid the long ball. It’s hard to defend him when he’s throwing 1-2 ticks slower and throwing all of his fastballs in the heart of the plate, though. He’s a step below a premier Cherry Bomb, and I’d be thinking of him along the same vein as Kyle Bradish, but with a clearer path to success. I’m holding and starting with MIL x2. (View Game Card)
Andrew Abbott (CIN) @ CHC (L) – 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 K – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 68 pitches.
The only thing that makes me okay with this dry bread (HAISTBMBWT?!) is the funny Pitchergami that accompanied this line. Nobody has produced this exact pitching line since Andrew Abbott himself on April 12th. This is a perfect warning flag for his upcoming tough schedule vs MIL, preceding LAD x2. (View Game Card)
Game of the Day
Logan Gilbert vs. Max Scherzer – Scherzer doesn’t have many starts left, and he’s just nine strikeouts shy of Gaylord Perry for ninth all-time. He’ll have a pretty darn good pitcher to square off against.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
