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 Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.
Jason Alexander (MIL) vs PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 59 pitches.
This is to tell y’all that tonight’s 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 59 pitches performance from Jason Alexander is not something you want to chase. It’s not to say he pitched poorly here, quite the contrary. He located sinkers and sliders well and the Pirates fed him the quick outs he was chasing. Easy work.
Simply put, he’s not the ticket to winning your league. I’m not sure how much the Brewers will let him start and I’d be shocked if he can hold a 39% CSW or anything close to a 17% SwStr rate in future games. H*ck, he starts with Coors next time out if he does go. Sad to say, he’s not gold, Jerry. NOT gold.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs PHI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. How can I not? Us Gallen Gals have watched him now go five straight 0 ER starts, here featuring some precision across all of his pitches down and gloveside. The dude is a called strike machine and you simply have to start the dang man these days. Amazing.
Blake Snell (SD) @ SF (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 105 pitches.
Atta boy Snell. Maybe the previous outing was a product of not being prepared (he started without warning because of Yu Darvish going on Paternity leave) as Snell had a much better heater in this one. Not the best secondaries, but we’ll absolutely take it.
Logan Webb (SF) vs SD (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 109 pitches.
See, nothing to worry about here – you even got 6 ER shaved off your ERA after they changed a hit from his last start to an error – and all is gravy. Aces gonna ace.
George Kirby (SEA) @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 79 pitches.
Secondaries are still meh, but it doesn’t matter when you face the Tigers. What a wonderful world.
Shane McClanahan (TB) @ MIA (ND) – 0.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 0% CSW, 0 pitches.
He was scratched before the game started with a shoulder impingement and we all held our loved ones. Hopefully he returns within two weeks and we don’t need to deal with Shawn Armstrong n Friends any more.
Cal Quantrill (CLE) vs BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.
I’m glad it worked out today for Quantrill, good luck guessing whether he can repeat it against the Mariners – I’m leaning NOPE.
Marcus Stroman (CHC) @ TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 88 pitches.
It sure ain’t the sexiest, but Stro got his outs and called it a day. HAISTBMBWT?! you holler, and Stro doesn’t care. Here’s another sinker inside, he says, extending his hand. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Justin Dunn (CIN) vs STL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 63 pitches.
Ehhhh the command is still awfully wonky and we’re not close to trusting Dunn again. Frozen Banana all day.
Framber Valdez (HOU) @ TEX (W) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 104 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Thrilled he kept the WHIP down along the way as Valdez has earned his 22nd straight Quality Start. Incredible.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) vs CHC (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 96 pitches.
Yep, that’s a Gausman outing. Glad the hits were kept in check this time as he better spotted his heaters up-and-armside. Good Gausman is a fun thing.
Mitch Keller (PIT) @ MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 105 pitches.
Okay okay, relax y’all. Sure, he elevated heaters pretty well, but this was things going exactly right for Keller and not some massive “oh, he’s turned it up another gear” kind of start – just 14% SwStr rate across his two breakers. The Mets are next so just forget this, alright?
Andrew Heaney (LAD) @ NYM (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 85 pitches.
That’s a Golden Goal for Heaney as he earned 16 whiffs on four-seamers alone. You LOVE to see it. I’m blown away at how well this has worked for the Dodgers after the absolute terror Heaney had been in previous years. Our “oh but the Dodgers will fix him” notions actually came to fruition. I didn’t believe it, I’ll be honest. It’s lovely to see.
Max Fried (ATL) vs COL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 91 pitches.
Aces gonna be mediocre and lose to Ureña. GASP. He missed a fair amount with heaters here and didn’t have his slider, though I’m not worried and don’t think he’s deep fried Fried. He’ll get the Marlins on Sunday and that will be Fried’s day. Friday? You just said it’s on Sunday. Fried’s day. Ohhh. It’s pronounced Freed.
José Ureña (COL) @ ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 102 pitches.
Remember kids, If you start José, Ureña boatload of trouble. Even if he gets a rare Win and has a decent ERA. You’ll be grounded for this!
Dane Dunning (TEX) vs HOU (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
No, the 3.60 ERA is not worth the 2.00 WHIP. Nice try though.
Jameson Taillon (NYY) @ LAA (ND) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 33 pitches.
He left this one early after taking a liner to the wrist, here’s to hoping he’s okay to make his next start.
Jesús Luzardo (MIA) vs TB (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 83 pitches.
The changeup is still stellar, but the heaters came in a tick softer, down to sub 95 mph levels and that should scare you a bit. I was okay with 95-96, but 94-95? Now we’re getting a bit precarious. I’m still starting him against the Phils, but I’m nervous about it.
Taijuan Walker (NYM) vs LAD (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
I guess this is surviving against the Dodgers, though I’m not very in love with what he does. At least he’s healthy now, though, and he certainly has enough in the tank for the Pirates next.
Brady Singer (KC) @ CWS (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.
Ouch. Singer got bombarded out of the game in a rugged fifth frame, despite boasting solid slider whiff totals and sinker called strikes. Let’s hope it’s just a blip and the Tigers should smooth things over for Singer managers.
Chris Archer (MIN) vs BOS (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 74 pitches.
You have no reason to start Archer here, but hey, kinda cool he had six changeup whiffs? At least he’s got that going for him.
Kutter Crawford (BOS) @ MIN (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 76 pitches.
This one came also with a two tick drop on the heater. Yeah.
Cole Irvin (OAK) @ WSH (W) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 105 pitches.
Irvin went from 21 whiffs to just 3 on the four-seamer and Natty Lite became Natty FIGHT. At least he still gave you six Ks and a Win, but now you don’t want to start him against Atlanta. Seriously, I’m scared of that one.
Lucas Giolito (CWS) vs KC (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 89 pitches.
Thing is, I really dug his slider in this one, but the four-seamer keeps getting battered too often, like a silly HR to Salvy on an away fastball that kinda looked like a pitchout. A pitchout HR! That’s how hittable the heater is. It’ll be hard not to look back and quote the 5.27 ERA and 3.65 xFIP, but that 10+ hit per nine is downright shocking and it’s not bad luck when it’s so dang consistent. Blame the heater and let’s hope he fixes it before next year.
Spenser Watkins (BAL) @ CLE (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 70 pitches.
I’ve seen Watkins pitch worse than this and it didn’t go his way. Orioles magic can’t do everything around here. He should fare better against the Athletics next.
Dakota Hudson (STL) @ CIN (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 75 pitches.
Womp womp. Not a great day for streaming in the end. I thought this was tailor-made for Hudson, I guess not as the Reds gave Hudson a tough day at that park. This is why we don’t like Hudson, Nick. Welp, gives me better streaming options then.
Mike Mayers (LAA) vs NYY (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.
I can’t say I expected a whole lot different here. Mayers isn’t the answer, y’all.
Erick Fedde (WSH) vs OAK (L) – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 76 pitches.
Remember kids, Don’t Trust The Feddes.
Matt Manning (DET) vs SEA (L) – 2.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 67 pitches.
Remember the 61% CSW slider? Just 11% here as the Mariners teed off on it. It’s not a good slider. HAISTBMBWT?! He could recover against the Royals, but at least you’ve seen both sides of the coin now.
Aaron Nola (PHI) @ ARI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 83 pitches.
I’m sorry WHAT. I just praised him last start about his massive fantasy impact this year and…eight runs?! Against the Diamondbacks?! The second frame got away from him with 5 ER + a three-run shot later on BUT STILL. The man earned 11/26 whiffs on curveballs and it was still a disaster. WHAT.
Game of the Day
Tyler Anderson vs. Jacob deGrom – I wonder if Tyler can keep the magic alive, he may have the benefit of facing deGrom, we all know the run support Jacob has earned over the years.
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 Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)