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.
Matthew Boyd (CLE) vs PIT (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 90 pitches.
We got the ideal version of Matthew Boyd against the Pirates on Saturday, going 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 90 pitches and executing everything you could dream of. The southpaw went full BSB with four-seamers elegantly placed upstairs and on the edges, while his slider and changeup racked up the whiffs downstairs effortlessly. 10/24 changeup whiffs is a dream, 44% CSW across sliders and curves outlines his stellar feel for spin, and even with the four-seamer sitting 91 mph, its ability to avoid mistakes over the plate while earning strikes was all we could ask of it.
The biggest decision to make is what to do moving forward. The Dodgers are on the docket, and that should be a bench, as Boyd needs to perform at this peak to give himself a chance to survive. However, it’s the White Sox after and if you’re all-or-nothing, I think you’re okay starting both as a single package.
Treat the week ahead with more focus than the week after and it’s alright to leave Boyd on the wire for the Dodgers. If you can snag him after, you’ll be happy you did.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs ATL (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He really is so stupid good. Fun fact, this is his first season under a 1.00 WHIP in his career and his 2.63 ERA is the lowest he’s ever had. What a stud.
José Berríos (TOR) @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 63 pitches.
It was a done deal through six and the Jays gave Berríos some rest after he disclosed he had a fever. A fever! The man went six innings in 63 pitches, like he realized he had 15 minutes left to bowl a game with his friends. We paid for two hours, WE GOTTA SPEED BOWL Y’ALL. I’m proud of The Great Undulator and yet I’m worried for September – his ERA is too low, which means we’ll see some clunkers normalize it by the end. I kid, but do I? DO I?
Luis L. Ortiz (PIT) @ CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 87 pitches.
Despite going just 5/14 four-seamer strikes (lol), Ortiz powered through this one by the good grace of Koufax. Wait, wasn’t Ortiz’s four-seamer the exciting strength of his last few starts. Yuuuup. It’s weird. At least he gets the Nationals next and that seems fine for this Toby.
Fernando Cruz (CIN) vs MIL (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 42 pitches.
Ayyy, more Fernando! It was a bullpen game, yada yada yada, I’m just happy to watch more Cruz in a “starting” role. I kinda hope they transition him next year, but then again, the heater was pedestrian at 94 mph and his command isn’t nearly as good as that 5/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio would suggest. He’s a Cherry Bomb as a starter and I take it all back. Was also saw 3.1 IP of David Buchanan and that’s a clear pass.
Tarik Skubal (DET) vs BOS (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Enjoy the Cy Young, fella. What a magical season and a half this has been.
Kyle Gibson (STL) @ NYY (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 93 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! The Gold Star goes to this man for such a stud performance in the Bronx, despite plenty of hittable offerings that weren’t demolished. Gibson has a chance each time he starts and it’s why he’s still on some of your squads. At least he gives y’all the easy play against the Mariners next week.
Yusei Kikuchi (HOU) vs KCR (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 101 pitches.
Kikuchi’s elite four-seamer was truly that against the Royals, returning a 52% CSW with twelve whiffs on the pitch to earn his King Cole. The slider did its part in the zone and the curve/change stayed of the way for just 13% usage combined as they should. Fun fact, Ragans and Kikuchi tallied 42 whiffs between them in this game. What beautiful people.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) @ SFG (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 98 pitches.
Here’s a weird one. Ecab went heavy on zone pitches, returning few whiffs but did what’s best for his team, not your fantasy team. Weird to see him go so four-seamer & sinker heavy over the the changeup (and we did see 8/12 slider strikes!), and I can only hope it’s part of the process to find a compromise that allows for fastball strikes and a secondary focus. Wouldn’t that be something. It’s too risky for the Phils up next for this Cherry Bomb, especially with no lock that he’ll take advantage of the Pirates after.
Jose Quintana (NYM) @ CHW (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 98 pitches.
Oh cool, he came through despite a 1.80 WHIP and terrible breaking ball feel. He gets the Reds next and I’m mid on that. He’s not as his peak but obviously can come through regardless.
Cody Bradford (TEX) vs OAK (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
Bradford, you wonderful man. Ride him out the rest of the way and we can chat about the dude again next year. He’s a Holly at this point.
Joey Estes (OAK) @ TEX (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 84 pitches.
Huh, this worked? His secondaries got results over the plate but didn’t come with elegance, while he overthrew a fair number of fastballs upstairs, but he got it done and now gets the Mariners. That should be fine. Good luck.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) @ DET (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 96 pitches.
You love to see it. It was mostly just four-seamer dominance and that isn’t the path to greatness against all clubs, but the Tigers? Sure that’ll play. Now it’s the White Sox and we keep it rolling.
Shane Baz (TBR) vs SDP (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 78 pitches.
Phew. The four-seamer was decent enough without the best spots, while the slider and curve did enough down low. Not the best game from Baz, but we going for another against the Twins.
Mason Black (SFG) vs MIA (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 74 pitches.
Mason’s b(l)ack! And he has an elite extension four-seamer with solid command and a somewhat steep attack angle! And a decent sweeper! And nothing else! Blame it on the Marlins + a shocking display of precision that I wouldn’t bank on, especially not against the Padres.
Max Fried (ATL) @ PHI (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 103 pitches.
Blegh. That’s not the ascension to AGA I was hoping for. I was hoping the changeup would be a bit further along by now, but just 3/24 whiffs here is a far cry from its elite 2022/2023 marks. Regardless, his overall command is still legit and this was the toughest lineup he’ll face the rest of the way.
Javier Assad (CHC) @ WSN (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
A VVPQS with four strikeouts seems about right. He’s so dang blegh.
Bryan Woo (SEA) @ LAA (ND) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 69 pitches.
And to think I was considering giving you the AGA tag. Woo’s ability to avoid the longball came crashing down with three leaving the yard in this one – all pitches middle and slightly down in the zone. The sweeper didn’t do its part at just 4/13 strikes (yuck), though 100% strikes on seven sliders is encouraging. Figure it out Woo, you’re so close.
Frankie Montas (MIL) @ CIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 97 pitches.
The velocity is still 96/97 mph, the command is not. Bummer. HOWEVER, it’s Rockie Road + a date in San Francisco on the horizon and given the velo bump, he may be a sneaky stream for both.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs LAD (ND) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 83 pitches.
Kelly endured a barrage of back-to-back-to-back HRs to begin his night, masking a decent performance of one ER on seven hits and a walk in the ensuing 5.1 IP. And one strikeout. Yes, HAISTBMBWT?!, but I will acknowledge that his heater is back to 92/93 mph and the changeup is looking good enough that I’d roll with him against the Giants. Not much more than this year as a streamer, though.
Davis Martin (CHW) vs NYM (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
Martin is back to being a slider-focused arm with just two whiffs on the changeup. Can’t say I love that, but then again, he just earned 19 whiffs so what the h*ck do I know. The ERA! Aha! Totally the changeups fault. TOTALLY. But on the real, I’d still be intrigued by this fella despite carrying two first names if it weren’t for a date in Fenway up next. No need to risk that one.
DJ Herz (WSN) vs CHC (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 87 pitches.
The changeup was terrible and Herz needed that thing. Not until the fifth. Fair, he was shutout until he was bounced, but that changeup would have done him wonders. Wonders I tell ya! Should have visited that cave. True, would have made a few wishes come true.
Will Warren (NYY) vs STL (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 76 pitches.
YOU DIDN’T FOOL ME THIS TIME WARREN. I know it’s anti-Hawk, but you don’t want the Will to win.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs SEA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 83 pitches.
Bleeeegh. Is it time for me to admit that Anderson’s magic hath faded? The changeup command wasn’t as good as we’ve seen, while the cutter and four-seamer were all over the place. With the Rangers and Twins up next, I’d begin to look at other options on the wire. If dropping Anderson is your only option for streamers, I think you go through with it.
Dean Kremer (BAL) @ COL (ND) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 66 pitches.
Yep, that checks out. There’s a decent stream next against the Rays, but that’s more for a Win than ratios…right? I dunno, I just don’t like it.
Cole Ragans (KCR) @ HOU (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 93 pitches.
Wow. Ragans was dominant as I’ve ever seen him through five frames, at one point striking out eight in a row, boasting 95/96 mph heaters with nearly 19″ of vert, curves in the zone, changeups galore, all of the fixins to lead to a Gallows Pole. Then a mediocre pair of singles, a HBP, a 3-2 walk, and a drive off the wall ousted him in the sixth as the elite southpaw left in a flash. That’s baseball, Suzyn. Thanks for the fun for five, Ragans. That was Pew pew pew at its finest.
Gavin Stone (LAD) @ ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
Blegh. The Diamondbacks bamboozled him in the first frame, then he settled down nicely after that. I wish I could get more excited about the slider, but whatever, we start him indefintely.
Ryan Feltner (COL) vs BAL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 80 pitches.
COL story, bro.
Randy Vásquez (SDP) @ TBR (L) – 4.1 IP, 9 ER, 11 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.
Ah, there’s the regression, all in one tightly wrapped package. Weird how it works like that – when it rains, it continues to rain. We were expecting Darvish back by his next start, but Vásquez could get another shot against the Giants next week and despite this, he could make it work.
Zebby Matthews (MIN) vs TOR (L) – 2.0 IP, 9 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 69 pitches.
Like Vásquez, here’s the regress–wait. Zebby isn’t supposed to regress. Zebulon, buddy, WHAT IS THIS. Okay, okay, that was a really dumb first inning and I still think he’s a legit talent (the cutter and slider are the real deal) and it was a day where he wasn’t spotting heaters well but also threw them too much. And a curveball for a BOMB. Just one of those days and if you’re rage quitting, that would be foolish with the Rays and Angels up next. We need a stat to help us. Fine, he had an overall 17% SwStr rate despite the ghastly ratios and a .910 BACON allowed, happy now?
Game of the Day
Spencer Schwellenbach vs. Aaron Nola – Uhhhh YES PLEASE.
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 Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X)