Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Andre(w) Jackson

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Wednesday 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.  

Andre Jackson (PIT) @ KC (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.

Hey I see you Andre Jackson, earning a Win against the Royals with a lovely 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches line. Y’all think I ain’t watching Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City deep in August, BUT H*CK YEAH I AM. Please, stop talking about Ragans. PEW PEW PEW.

Okay fine, Jackson. It’s the second straight productive outing we’ve seen from the right-hander and you’re starting to wonder whether he can be trusted with WSN + NYY on the horizon. In short, not really. He doesn’t have an elite pitch in his arsenal, with his changeup leading the way as “good.” You know, the grade you get in Kindergarten when they can’t actually give you a grade.

I liked his ability to go north and south effectively with his four-seamer in this one + a slider that found the zone plenty, but it’s all just a little too meh for me. It’s absolutely possible he does the same thing for another start and gets a similar result, but when I see a pitcher toss a game seemingly at their peak and not feature anything electric, it usually doesn’t stick around. Not the worst NL-Only dart throw, but I’d avoid in 12-teamers.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs WSH (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 110 pitches.

I could hear the clap of Bassitt’s hands as he left the eighth inning. My work here is done. Nothing like punching that ticket like any other day on the job with eight different pitch types.

Sonny Gray (MIN) vs CLE (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 81 pitches.

That sweeper is still doing lovely work and there’s no stopping Sonny right now. Please keep this up for four more weeks, cool? Thanks.

Zach Eflin (TB) @ MIA (ND) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 69 pitches.

Oh look, it’s Eflin being all kinds of legit for yet another start. Kinda annoying he got pulled in the seventh at just under 70 pitches despite dealing for ages before it, but that’s what some managers like to do. I don’t think a pitcher has ever been pulled too early by the Rays in the sixth or seventh inning before. Nope. Never.

Jesús Luzardo (MIA) vs TB (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 96 pitches.

This is what happens when Luzardo doesn’t hang a ton of sliders inside the zone. I’m so glad we’re past that weird valley at the start of August. It came with a narrative that he was fatigued from throwing his max innings (despite his velocity staying up) and this should put that notion to bed. Maybe read some Goodnight Moon to make sure it stays asleep. Goodnight, Tropicana. Goodnight AL East lead…

Kyle Hendricks (CHC) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.

His changeup was filthy and a 56% CSW on his four-seamer on top of the usual sinker dominance was a welcome surprise. And the curveball? I’m not inviting you back to Thanksgiving with comments like that. But I jus–YOU CAN EAT TURKEY SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Hunter Greene (CIN) @ SF (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 90 pitches.

Was his velocity a little down? Yes. Did he have to resort to more sliders than four-seamers? Yes. Did it still work because it’s the Giants? Triiiiiple Yes. I’m glad he was finally able to be productive for your squads, though Greene didn’t pitch at his peak here. SEA + @DET + @NYM isn’t enough to steer us away (though the Mariners are hot right now…) and we keep hoping he’s the predator, not the prey.

Ryan Pepiot (LAD) vs ARI (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 84 pitches.

And this is why Pepiot made The List on Monday. These are the sneaky Wins you can snag with him on your squad now that the changeup is consistently earning strikes. With the Marlins + Nationals up next, he could secure at least one more.

Darius Vines (ATL) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 82 pitches.

Despite chucking 90 mph cut four-seamers and his best pitch being a changeup in his MLB debut inside Coors, Darius was able to keep it together to toss six lovely frames. The changeup was as advertised with 7/23 whiffs as he mixed cutters and darting fastballs for strikes. I don’t expect him to get more starts and if he does get the Cardinals next week, I’d encourage caution. The changeup is solid, but the cutter/four-seamer are highly suspect. That said, it is the Atlanta offense behind him…

Gerrit Cole (NYY) @ DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. He’s so dang consistent.

Framber Valdez (HOU) @ BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 83 pitches.

I cannot explain why Valdez has suddenly turned into a sinker/change guy. His best two pitches in my view are his curve and cutter, two pitches that combined for 18% usage here. WHY. He didn’t throw 10 of either one and I just don’t get it. Clearly I’m missing something, (well, that is a productive line, ignoring the two unearned runs. And seven whiffs. And 23% CSW.) and we don’t have much of a choice but to keep starting him.

Brandon Woodruff (MIL) @ CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 96 pitches.

Yep. Aces gonna ace. You got it just in time for our playoffs, here with a Golden Goal. Welcome back. I wonder where you’ll go in drafts now that you’re obviously healthy and back in your groove.

Logan Webb (SF) vs CIN (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 94 pitches.

Yeah that’s cool with me. See? It’s easier when you don’t have to host Atlanta.

Denyi Reyes (NYM) vs TEX (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 78 pitches.

Honestly, that’s an impressive line from Reyes against a strong Texas squad (cheers, take a Gold Star). Thank the slider + change returning nine whiffs between them and thank the Rangers for being a bit cold as of late. I’ll send them some blankets. As for Denyi, he doesn’t pack enough of a punch for us to consider him, especially with his shag carpet. Shag carpet? You know, a young man’s floor – all rookies innately have a lower floor as their command is usually less polished + emotions of pitching in the big leagues the first time + less experience to figure out how to get through a game when things go poorly. Shoot, I did have a shag carpet in my 20s. I KNEW IT.

Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.

I still don’t quite grasp how Bibee continues to have success (albeit, a poor 1.40 WHIP here) while lacking proper command consistently, but hot dang are we not letting him out of our lineups.

Reid Detmers (LAA) @ PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.

Blegh. He’s so far removed from the man I loved in the spring. I think we have to wait until next year for Detmers to hopefully click, and I hate it so much.

Brendan White (DET) vs NYY (L) – 0.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 30 pitches.

He opened for 5.0 IP and 4 ER of Joey Wentz. I don’t think I’d go for a pair of outings with Joey on my team, that’s just my Two Wentz.

Bryce Miller (SEA) vs OAK (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.

Ehhhhhh. This wasn’t Miller’s best performance but it wasn’t bad. A PQS that looks like a Bailey Special is fine, it’s just not what we wanted against the Athletics. If only he was more refined with his command…

Miles Mikolas (STL) vs SD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 98 pitches.

Are you happy with a VPQS without a Win and just two strikeouts? I’m not in a quality start league. NEITHER AM I.

Angel Zerpa (KC) vs PIT (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 84 pitches.

Oddly, Zerpa was on the mound instead of the outfield and pitched…fine? He’s not the guy to chase and I don’t expect his stock to get wings soon.

Zach Neal (OAK) @ SEA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.

Oh Neal, you weren’t able to steal a Win this time, just like in the 1995 finals against the Rockets. I kinda dig your sinker/change armside + four-seamer/cutter gloveside pitch separation though…and you get the Jays + Astros so fine, we ignore.

Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs LAA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 62 pitches.

Womp womp. The slider was great, the change and sinker were not. It’s time to move on from Sánchez, sadly, as the Padres + Atlanta are up next. We had some great times, you and I. These memories will never fade…I said, about two weeks before the memories faded.

Dane Dunning (TEX) @ NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 74 pitches.

Dunning’s mini-run came to an end last time when the sliders and cutters were out of whack and this isn’t any sort of recovery. Best to move on if you haven’t already with the Astros and Jays next. Yikes.

Rich Hill (SD) @ STL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 53 pitches.

He didn’t last very long and neither should Hill on your fantasy squads. Wait, why was he there in the first place?!

Dylan Cease (CWS) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 109 pitches.

That’s a Gallows Pole rooted in the slider looking like its best self, but even then, we need the fastball and curve to do some work. It’s normally not that tall of an ask, but with the variance we’ve seen from Cease this year, it’s become difficult to expect anything but destructive ratios. If you need the punchouts, I get it, if you don’t, then you have to let him go.

Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) @ LAD (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.

It was the Dodgers and we’ll still start him when he faces Rockie Road next. We move on.

Kyle Freeland (COL) vs ATL (L) – 5.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.

He faced Atlanta. In Coors. Yuuuup.

Kutter Crawford (BOS) vs HOU (L) – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 46 pitches.

Kutter got bounced early here as he earned just one whiff between kutters and four-seamer. Those dang Astros will get ya. After you obviously dropped Kutter before this one, you may be able to jump back in with the Rays up next, though I have to think there’s something else a little more appealing to go after first.

Patrick Corbin (WSH) @ TOR (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.

Well, yeah. This game of fantasy baseball can be so easy at times.

Kyle Gibson (BAL) vs CWS (L) – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.

AND IT CAN ALSO BE SO HARD. Gibson is a Cherry Bomb who is actually pretty obvious when you realize he performs stellar against strong offenses and poorly against mediocre lineups. Does it make sense? Nope, but when has Gibson truly made sense? Okay, so I won’t start him against the Angels next. That’s exactly what he expects you to think, so clearly he’s going to be incredible. This doesn’t make sense anymore. IT NEVER MADE SENSE.

 

Game of the Day

 

Spencer Strider vs. Lance Lynn – I’ll be at this game! Let me know on Twitter if you’re there as I’ve followed Strider for two straight starts. Weird.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

Have Questions? – Join my morning Playback.tv livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.

Photos by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images and Giorgio Trovato/Unsplash | Featured Image by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)