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 Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Carson Whisenhunt (SFG) @ NYM (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 75 pitches.
We’re going to see many young arms get more opportunities in the back half of the season and Carson Whisenhunt has surely been mentioned in your space somewhere. The Giants have granted him a few chances in the rotation and Sunday’s 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 75 pitches (W) against the Mets has y’all wondering if this is another prospect pitcher to keep a close on.
Naaaaaah. The changeup is Whisenhunt’s best offering and it does a decent job to RHB, but it’s not overwhelming akin to many other southpaws – 5/28 whiffs with a high 18% NC Rate and the culprit for his sole HR off a floater to Lindor. The rest of the arsenal does little to excite, either, with a 92/93 mph sinker with decent movement but nothing exceptional and an average slider.
So he’s a streamer. Yeah, at best. The Nationals are next and that could work, but it’s not one I would circle in leagues. I think it’s best to ignore the CW and explore other channels for success.
Sidenote: I’m in Austria this week through next Monday and I apologize for the weird schedule. Why do friends have to get married?
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs DET (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 84 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. It’s kinda silly not to give it to him at this point.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) @ TBR (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. A wider arsenal than usual and all is good. Keep on keepin’ on.
Dylan Cease (SDP) vs STL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 90 pitches.
But he was so bad for so long! And he could still have a stumble next time out. But hot dang, this is why you stick with him.
Joe Boyle (TBR) vs LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 71 pitches.
Oh Boyle, watching you return this line on the back of 86% slider strikes to make up for a four-seamer thrown nearly 60% of the time at 52% strikes was rough. No, he’s not there yet.
Brandon Young (BAL) @ CHC (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.
Hey, that’s not so bad against the Cubs! I didn’t see enough here to draw much interest, but maybe he’s worthwhile hosting the Athletics next?
Chase Burns (CIN) vs ATL (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 18 pitches.
Burns began the Speedway game, then it was suspended for a day, and he tossed just one inning ultimately. Welp, that’s about it, save for Brent Suter failing to toss three full frames.
Lucas Giolito (BOS) vs HOU (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 103 pitches.
Despite not having his best velocity and overall heater, he located it well enough, and Koufax took care of the rest in Fenway. Phew. The schedule is still rough with @SDP, MIA, @NYY, @BAL on the docket, but I guess we take the chance…?
Charlie Morton (DET) @ PHI (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 84 pitches.
This was some fantastic fastball command to RHB without the usual curveball dominance and that’s pretty cool. It’s not sustainable, but I’m happy it came together for him. It may be worthwhile for the Angels next with the curve likely effective to their RHB.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs KCR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.
The days when Bassitt has Koufax on his side are the good ones. That’s the case for everyone. The strikeout artists don’t really need it and may allow HRs, which Koufax can’t do anything with. FINE NICK, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE RIGHT. Until I leave. Huh? Because I LEFT. OhhhhhhHHHH I HATE THIS.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 94 pitches.
Oh wow, he really is pitching backward and it’s working. Curves, changeups, and sliders were all thrown more than his primary heater (13 sinkers vs. 7 four-seamers) and each returned at least a 60% strike pitch. He truly has figured it out and you better keep starting him.
Logan Henderson (MIL) @ WSN (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 76 pitches.
Awwww, you couldn’t finish that fifth, could you? The changeups didn’t do a ton to LHB and his heater’s good vert and flat 1.5 HAVAA did most of he work. With the Mets and Cubs up next if he’s starting for Jay Mis, I’d consider other options. He’s not THAT good.
Austin Cox (ATL) @ CIN (ND) – 0.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 17 pitches.
He pitched until the rains came and Hurston Waldrep stepped in for 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 75 pitches. That’s far better than I expected, though can we call it the Reds Carpet if it was at the speedway? Anyway, he lacks punch at 95 mph and despite the good splitter here and there, I’m not into this. Sorry, Waldrep, I don’t love the command and we don’t have that spark.
Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) @ ATH (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 92 pitches.
Props to Erod surviving “Sacrè Verde” and now he gets Rockie Road as a reward. Works for me.
Andre Pallante (STL) @ SDP (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.
Nothing new here save for more whiffs than usual on the slider. He’s still someone you can easily avoid.
Colin Rea (CHC) vs BAL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 77 pitches.
Dang Rea, we wanted just one more inning. That’s it! At least the schedule is glorious moving forward and that splitter should be a bit better.
Seth Lugo (KCR) @ TOR (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.
It’s not a great line, but it was the Jays and be happy he didn’t actively hurt you. But that WHIP is terrible! Okay, fair. Still, it could have been worse.
José Ureña (MIN) @ CLE (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 69 pitches.
This is honestly better than it had any right to be.
Logan Evans (SEA) vs TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.
I’m amazed the Mariners didn’t find another starter to deal for Evans’ spot. I guess they knew he’d get a Win like this, eh? I wouldn’t stream him.
Sean Burke (CHW) @ LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 84 pitches.
Oh dang, this was GOOD BURKE. 95 mph heaters upstairs with great extension and 17″ of vert + 8/25 slight whiffs for 75% strikes. It sure makes you feel like he’s in a good enough place for the Guardians this weekend…
Brad Lord (WSN) vs MIL (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.
Not a bad slider and not a good fastball. Nooooope.
Joey Cantillo (CLE) vs MIN (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 91 pitches.
After getting Singled Out in the first frame for all four runs, Cantillo struck out three batters with his curve and nearly returned five full shutout frames with a 0.80 WHIP and six strikeouts. That’s more like it. It’s how he returned a Golden Goal despite the ratios, with his changeup waking up for 11/23 whiffs. Wait, weren’t you terrified of Cantillo last week? Oh, right. Cantillo had a 2-3 tick drop in velocity with zero command last time and it seemed like an injury in my view. Uhhhh, he’s not injured and that’s awesome. The schedule ahead is great and I’d jump in now.
Jack Perkins (ATH) vs ARI (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 62 pitches.
Some are into Perkins and I don’t see it. The heater is mid and the cutter + sweeper aren’t anything special, let alone the command that isn’t polished + the short leash as he stretches out (will he fully stretch out?). Why bother?
Framber Valdez (HOU) @ BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna have one bad moment. This was totally fine until he was Singled Out for all five runs (another unearned) in a horrific fourth frame. So it goes. Keep starting him n all.
Jack Kochanowicz (LAA) vs CHW (ND) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 80 pitches.
Even against the CrySox, this ain’t it. I was considering starting him this week, should I go for it? Wait, what?! JK! JK! Yeah, that’s the guy. Noooo, I’m kidding. Phew. DON’T MESS WITH ME LIKE THAT.
Jacob deGrom (TEX) @ SEA (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna…Wat. He allowed three home runs that made up all the damage and that’s your ballgame. It still feels weird watching deGrom allow any damage and those three blasts were the only three hits off his four-seamer or slider. Whatareyagonnado.
Mitch Keller (PIT) @ COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
I’ve been yelling at Keller to throw more sliders and he finally did! We saw 38% sweepers with 8% sliders for a strong 46% total…and the two combined for all three HRs allowed. Oh. Coors n all, but still, that’s not quite what we were hoping for. How kind of the Pirates to give him the Reds Carpet as a followup. That should be much better.
Luis Gil (NYY) @ MIA (L) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 77 pitches.
He’s back! The four-seamer’s stuff is still exceptional, but the command is not at 52% strikes, and sitting too much inside the zone when he was on the right side of the coin flip. The slider was okay but not dominant, and the changeup needs to be reliable in any count instead of the 50% strikes we saw here. THere’s a reason we don’t start pitchers in their Still ILL outings, and he gets the Astros + many cushy opponents after. Up to you if you roll with him against Houston, but you’ll want him and his elite fastball after.
Bradley Blalock (COL) vs PIT (L) – 5.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 93 pitches.
Yep, that’s about right.
Frankie Montas Jr. (NYM) vs SFG (L) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 92 pitches.
Well dang. At least the splitter and slider were decent, eh? I think Montas is a guy reserved for a desperate stream andnothing else.
Game of the Day
Sonny Gray vs. Tyler Glasnow – Let’s see both arms looks like studs, eh?
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)
