Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday 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.
Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) vs TBR (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 100 pitches.
Is it time for us to start truly believing in Spencer Arrighetti? Today’s start certainly does its best to convince us he is – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 100 pitches – and all I can think about is “Why couldn’t you have done this a bit sooner?” Oh, and the obvious Blame it on the Rays, but there’s more to this than that.
I absolutely dig The Pasta Pirate’s cutter and curveball. The two offerings induce low ICR marks and earn whiffs constantly and as long as they land in the zone often, they have a chance to dominate. 11/44 whiffs with a 48% CSW between them was certainly that on Sunday.
The bigger question is the heater. Arrighetti has struggled to locate the pitch, from pure chaos to high hittability inside the zone. Its fantastic mix of elite HAVAA and extension allows it to blow by hitters when spotted upstairs, though we’ve seen many games when he simply can’t get the pitch to go where he wants it to.
This was a start where it all mostly came together – not including his changeup that hobbles behind the rest of his arsenal, wondering why the others keep it along for the adventure. That slowball went just 7/17 strikes and I’m not here for it in the slightest – and I want to hope Arrighetti has made a tweak as of late to produce at this high level with more regularity. For now, it’s a bit too risky to start him against the Red Sox in Fenway (he still doesn’t have great command, sadly), but if you’re looking for a high upside play for the next two months, The Pasta Pirate may be the gem you’ve been hoping to dig up all year.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ SEA (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Wheeler, you’ve found a way to keep your SP #1 status. Congrats.
Mitchell Parker (WSN) vs MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
The splitter was better this time, but overall it was the grace of Koufax helping balls find gloves here. We’ll take it, of course, and continue to roll with Mitchell for the Angels up next.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) @ ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 98 pitches.
Edward. You gave a us a fright after your last start, as we thought your knee was busted and you were hitting the IL, and now you give your very best self in the very next start?! Why you have to be mad? It’s only a game. This is good, no? Okay fair, we all just don’t like our emotions getting tossed around! On the real, I’m super happy for him and I’m shocked the slider has been completely shelved. It’s changeups, four-seamers (nearly 70% strikes!), and curveballs with a sprinkle of sinkers for good measure. As long as he throws strikes with most offerings, it works, and that’s exactly what we saw here. Sign. Me. Up. But can we trust it?! He is a Cherry Bomb, but how many arms have this ceiling on your wire?
Yariel Rodríguez (TOR) @ NYY (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 76 pitches.
That’s far better than expected from Yariel, though he’s still being limited to roughly 80 pitches. Here was the ceiling outing for Rodriguez against the Yankees and he didn’t even go five full frames. Just sayin’.
Alex Faedo (DET) vs KCR (ND) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 37 pitches.
More bullpen stuff from the Tigers. You’re sooooo cool, Detroit. SO COOL.
Hunter Bigge (TBR) @ HOU (ND) – 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 22 pitches.
He opened from Tyler Alexander, who stole a Win across 4.1 IP of shutout baseball. He was actually sitting 1-2 ticks up here, but that only means hovering 90 mph. Let’s not pursue this okay? Cool.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs PHI (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Gilbert went slider-heavy here with just 24% four-seamer usage and I’m here for it y’all. Thanks for the rebound after that dumb inning in Fenway.
Matt Waldron (SDP) vs COL (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 80 pitches.
I didn’t expect the world from Waldron, but it’s Rockie Road and that should be good enough for 95% of starters who can throw at least 80 pitches. I wouldn’t read into this one (Don’t Trust A Knuckleballer), but it is the Marlins next. They aren’t actually a good offense. I think. Probably.
Tobias Myers (MIL) @ WSN (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 64 pitches.
He was wild and located poorly in the zone. Uhhhh. I KNOW. Myers is a Vargas Rule and I won’t tell you otherwise, but it’s not legit in my book. It’ll come to an end unless he finds some spark in that arsenal.
Griffin Canning (LAA) vs NYM (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 97 pitches.
Atta boy Canning. 40%+ CSW on all three secondaries while he threw more heaters than usual (40%!) for just a 21% CSW. What a world this would be if Canning actually had a good fastball….Anyway, he’ll get the Nationals next and there’s a decent chance he performs there, too.
Justin Steele (CHC) vs STL (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 99 pitches.
Solid work from Steele, working both four-seamers and sliders well around the zone and grabbing nearly 20 called strikes with fastballs. This is the good stuff.
Michael Wacha (KCR) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 99 pitches.
Hey Wacha, the four walks are no fun, but I appreciate you. Ya did what ya could. THAT TAKES HEART. Show em where yer from. Yeah, what that heckler said.
Osvaldo Bido (OAK) vs LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 100 pitches.
There’s your Gold Star as Bido did it against an elite offense again. Dude, what is going on with you? Your heater is pretty average and was decently spotted, but not a pitch that should go 9/48 whiffs against this team. It just doesn’t make sense. No, I’m not endorsing Bido against the Jays this week, thank you very much. Trust the 1.50 WHIP and nothing else.
Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs TOR (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 91 pitches.
Just two whiffs on non-fastballs and he’s still not looking like the old Cole. I feel like he doesn’t deserve AGA…? He’s not the overwhelming stud of old right now without his slider (or cutter…any breaker, really) returning back-breaking whiffs, which opens the door to more fastball dominance, too.
Paul Skenes (PIT) vs ARI (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 100 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. That’s a pretty mid Skenes start with a whole lot of y-mLoc. Be better.
Robbie Ray (SFG) @ CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 86 pitches.
Phew. That second start was a massive decline from our expectations set by his electric debut and this outing was the performance that was promised. Four-seamers up, sliders and curveballs down (BSB), and all the rewards this execution demands. I sure hope this means he’s properly settled in now – it’ll be a fun summer.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) @ TEX (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 70 pitches.
Pivetta was down about two ticks and I understand the early hook. Now it’s the Astros, which is far from a bundle of joy, and I’m back being a bit scared about Pivetta. The cutter is gone, y’all. That whirlybird sweeper must carry the load now and I’m not sure it’s strong enough, especially with a worse four-seamer.
River Ryan (LAD) @ OAK (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 75 pitches.
Blegh. This one was easily worse than his Astros start, without the same refinement on his arsenal, leading to a shaky time pitch-to-pitch inside at-bats. The stuff is still good, but I hate seeing a start like this that makes us question the baseline expectation for River. Is it the Astros start or is this one? Will we see him at 85-90 pitches constantly? At least he gets the Pirates next and we obviously ride that one.
Carson Spiers (CIN) vs SFG (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.
That’s a Philly and awfully boring once again. It’s what he does with sinkers and cutters mixed with various friends of the host. I can see mediocrity ahead against the Brewers and I’m not sure if it sways more into the realm of relevancy or disappointment.
Jose Quintana (NYM) @ LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
The pitch separation is peak Quintana command and the four walks are more Neckbeard than proper chaos. I’m still very much encouraged and would circle his Mariners start ahead this week.
Cal Quantrill (COL) @ SDP (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 88 pitches.
COL story, bro. Remember when this was a thing? That was fun. Now he went back to San Diego and became So-So Cal once again. Just like those good times.
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs CHW (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.
Bleeeegh. I just can’t choose the right time to start SWR, can I? He wasn’t far off from his normal self and that’s just how it goes some days. It was the CrySox dangit…
Ryne Nelson (ARI) @ PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.
Womp womp. There’s still some promise in that heater, but he didn’t overwhelm with it and the secondaries didn’t do a whole lot to help. I sincerely hope he finds that #2 pitch this winter. The Phillies are next, y’all, jump off this if you’re still on it.
Corbin Burnes (BAL) @ CLE (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.
Aces gonna continue to have a worse cutter. It’s a bit frustrating to watch and I can’t help but wonder if it means Burnes falls into Tier 2. He’s certainly not that overwhelming strikeout arm these days, right?
Miles Mikolas (STL) @ CHC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.
I would walk away from 500 Miles and I would walk away from 500 more, just to be that man who would win a fantasy league.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) vs BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 99 pitches.
Yikes. The splitter was filthy, the rest was not. He just needed a little more help with his fastballs and cutters to get through this one and it wasn’t there, including a HR off both his heater and curve. Whatareyagonnado. He’s still a frequently strong play.
Max Fried (ATL) vs MIA (L) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 82 pitches.
Are the Marlins actually a good offense? Naaaaah, this was just Fried shaking off rust as he didn’t make a rehab start and fell apart in the fourth inning…though he had walked four in the previous three frames already. It was a ridiculous frame of two singles, an infield single, a “fielder’s choice” (all runners safe), and a walk. Soooo he got burned and also wasn’t at his best. Blammo, you nailed it. I know it’s Coors next, but I’m going for it. He’s fine and I’d blame the velocity dip of a tick on a rough fourth frame.
Gavin Williams (CLE) vs BAL (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 86 pitches.
Bleeeeegh. It’s the Orioles. Williams pitched well with his four-seamer and curve (few other offerings, really) and the lineup was simply too good. You’ll be Gavin a good time soon, don’t worry.
Chris Flexen (CHW) @ MIN (L) – 1.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 70 pitches.
I’m occasionally decent enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darnit, Nick kinda likes me at rare moments. Flexen in front of the mirror.
Game of the Day
Aaron Nola vs. Tyler Glasnow– Ohhhhhh baby.
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 Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X)