Anibal Collective

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 Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.  

Aníbal Sánchez (WSH) vs OAK (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches.

Please excuse me as I do my best Leslie Nielson impression as I’m sure to get a question or two about Aníbal Sánchez following a marvelous 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches performance. He’s now allowed just 2 ER total across his last three games and with a name people know, I’m sure to get a But Johnny Cueto! or two.

I’m not exactly sure what to buy into less. Maybe it was the changeup that floated all over the place, the cutters that he couldn’t locate, the fastballs that happened to fall in for strikes, or the 4/3 K per BB that is obviously not a stroke of dominance.

But fine, that didn’t convince you? How about a date with the Cardinals next. Okay now I’m listening. Good, at least the schedule is there to save you from yourself. Don’t do this, y’all. Aníone but him.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Kyle Wright (ATL) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. His velocity is there, the curveball is still filthy, and we shouldn’t expect anything else at this point. What a fun season it’s been.

Jordan Lyles (BAL) @ CLE (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.

Orioles Magic is a wonderful thing. I really can’t lean too heavily into a guy with a 1/14 CSW slider and 18/20 outs via balls in play, but at least there’s a chance each night he produces. And I can appreciate that.

Zach Thompson (PIT) @ MIL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 62 pitches.

Hey, the curveball was fantastic and the cutter didn’t allow hits. That’s as good as you can possibly hope for from Thompson, who was limited due to a return to the rotation. I ain’t buying into it, but props to him.

Lance Lynn (CWS) vs KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 91 pitches.

It’s starting to feel like Lynn may earn an AGA soon, which is awfully strange for a guy entering today with a 5.00 ERA on the year. He does have a 2.83 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 29% strikeout rate across his previous seven games, though, and this only amplifies those marks. Lynn is back, y’all.

Jacob deGrom (NYM) vs LAD (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 25 Whiffs, 44% CSW, 93 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Of course he earned a Golden Goal, Dodgers Shmodgers.

Trevor Rogers (MIA) vs TB (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 84 pitches.

He’s back! And so is the changeup! That pitch was brilliant down in and under the zone and it makes me encouraged that he’s actually fixed some things. He still needs that slider to complete the mix (just 3/7 strikes here), and I’m just being greedy. We can work with this. It’s a little risky with the Rays next, but I think I’m in for it.

Drew Rasmussen (TB) @ MIA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 72 pitches.

That cutter was ridiculous – 46% CSW, 10/24 whiffs! – and I loved seeing the four-seamer hit the top of the zone frequently. He’s in a groove right now and you shouldn’t hesitate against the Sawx next.

Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 74 pitches.

Velocity was down two ticks on the heater and was awfully erratic through this outing. Now he gets Coors and I really don’t want to do that. Sigh. I really want to be all in on Peralta again, but he’s just not quite there yet.

Bailey Falter (PHI) @ ARI (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 83 pitches.

Ayyy it worked! Falter’s four-seamer came in hot at 92.6 mph (a tick harder!), returning 37% CSW + the sinker followed suit with more velocity and plenty of called strikes. It allowed him to go 9/14 strikes on curveballs and there’s your start. Fastball city + some good ole free real estate with the hook. This may be it for Falter, though, with Zack Wheeler aiming to return on Tuesday next week. Pity, that’s against the Marlins and Falter would be a solid stream for that one too. So it goes.

Gerrit Cole (NYY) @ LAA (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. It’s not the strikeout total or decision you wanted, but we’re gonna take this and run with it. Still tier one, of course.

Tyler Anderson (LAD) @ NYM (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 93 pitches.

Even against the Mets, Anderson finds a way. Props to the man for this crazy good 2022 campaign, I certainly didn’t believe we’d see anything close to this.

Kris Bubic (KC) @ CWS (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 92 pitches.

Four walks and one strikeout!? HAISTBMBWT?! Y’all know this ain’t it, even if it’s 92.5 mph velocity…and changeups well-located down…Nope, not falling for it. NOT TODAY.

Patrick Sandoval (LAA) vs NYY (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 82 pitches.

The change is looking better, but it’s still not that pitch, while the four-seamer is still highly questionable. But hey, that’s two strong outings, one here against a much-improved Yankee crew. Get pumped for the Tigers next.

Michael Wacha (BOS) @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.

Soooo the cutter and four-seamer command were better and I’m glad the changeup had a 38% CSW…but it wasn’t spotted well. I feel like he got away with this one a bit. Still start him against the Rays, but the line is a touch deceiving. Tons of hittable pitches here.

James Kaprielian (OAK) @ WSH (L) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.

Ayyyy it worked! He was the backup streamer as Jimmy Hat rebounded from the Yankees to give you a Philly. Sure, the WHIP ain’t right…and it’s a loss…and just three strikeouts, but that’s a good ERA and it’s what you’re chasing if you started Kap. Maybe lay off the Braves next, though.

Triston McKenzie (CLE) vs BAL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 97 pitches.

I’m still upset at his slider, but the curve is good and he’s keeping the heater around the zone. He really does feel close to truly stepping forward if he could nail down his overall command a bit more. Maybe another year will do it…

Mike Minor (CIN) vs STL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 87 pitches.

Props to Minor for nearly surviving five full against the tough Cardinals offense, but just one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!) and nothing new here means we’re still avoiding this entirely.

José Quintana (STL) @ CIN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 78 pitches.

Blegh. The four-seamer got up, but the curve and changeup were not what we’ve seen this year, leading to a poor WHIP and a HAISTBMBWT?! and I know you’re wondering the same thing. Is the magic gone? Nah, he gets Natty Lite next, surely Quintana can make that work with the offense and defense of the Cards behind him.

Tyler Alexander (DET) vs SEA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 78 pitches.

T-Lex is just a normal dude pitching a baseball. Alexander the I can relate.

Luke Farrell (CHC) @ TOR (ND) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 31 pitches.

The Cubs turned to Farrell because Sampson isn’t allowed in Toronto. You know why.

Joe Musgrove (SD) @ SF (W) – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. THE SLIDER HATH RETURNED – 7/22 whiffs and 45% CSW is what we’re looking for, allowing him to throw just 27% four-seamers. Phew. We needed this.

Marco Gonzales (SEA) @ DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 86 pitches.

A PQS with a 1.33 WHIP and one strikeout (“HAISTBMBWT?!”) against the Tigers? Marco, you really take pleasure in your mediocrity, don’t you. Blame the lack of sparkle on his changeup failing to be its normal wonderful self.

Ryan Feltner (COL) @ ATL (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 96 pitches.

I’m glad he got some strikeouts (sinker called strikes + 40% slider CSW) and a Philly isn’t the worst thing ever, but yeah, he gets the blurb again. Feltner has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter.

Cristian Javier (HOU) @ TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 96 pitches.

He allowed a two-run shot in the first then settled down, pounding fastball after fastball inside the zone. Not the best command, but that heater is super hard to hit. He really could be elite if his four-seamer command stayed up and he landed those breakers down. His stuff is that good.

Alex Wood (SF) vs SD (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 87 pitches.

Annnnnd the Dodgers are next. Like you’re preparing for a campfire, drop Wood tonight if you haven’t already.

Joe Ryan (MIN) vs BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 100 pitches.

Ugh, a dumb third inning with a pair of longballs messed this one up as Ryan earned 14 whiffs on four-seamers alone. Sure, he still needs help with the secondaries if he wants to break out of this Cherry Bomb state, but he really messed up the Red Sox a lot more than the 5 ER and eight hits would tell you. I’m kinda tempted to start him against the Yankees despite this.

Martín Pérez (TEX) vs HOU (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.

Stupid Astros messing with Pérez again. To be fair, the changeup wasn’t its best and the sinker + cutter found more of the plate than usual and guess what! What?! He gets them again. Oh. Yeah, sorry that wasn’t a good surprise. My bad.

Mitch White (TOR) vs CHC (L) – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.

His slider is still good, the rest of his stuff is still not. Lesson learned, yeah? Good.

Tommy Henry (ARI) vs PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 85 pitches.

Oh Henry. This is why I don’t trust people with two first names.

 

Game of the Day

 

Ken Waldichuk vs. Washington Nationals – It’s his MLB debut and I’m awfully curious how he’ll look on the professional bump.

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

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Photos by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire and Matt Cramblett/Unsplash | Featured Image by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)