Glenn Otto Bon Society

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

Glenn Otto (TEX) vs CWS (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.

The roundup is often “this ace did poorly” or “this unknown guy did well” and it’s the latter today with Glenn Otto coming through in a big way against the White Sox via 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches. Seven strikeouts with good ratios is hard to come by and we’ve seen hints of Otto putting it together before.

I’m not ready to buy in, though. The impetus for me getting on board is Otto’s slider becoming an elite offering and it wasn’t necessarily bad here – 44% usage with 77% strikes and six whiffs – it’s not the overwhelming pitching we need to see from a guy who essentially went breaker/heater. Give me that 10 whiff night, that 35%+ CSW (just 26% here), that precise command down-and-armside we can latch onto and feel a proper breakout is coming.

What I should have led with is “Houston is next” and you know to avoid that already. Monitor the slider’s development and if it starts to click, then we truly get in.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:

 

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs PIT (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 83 pitches.

Ayyyy it worked! I’d like to thank the Pirates for helping me get the streaming record back into respectable a 17-games above .500. As for Kremer, this was BABIP all the way with his four-seamer and playing the same game against the Jays twice in a row now is an absolute NOPE.

Patrick Sandoval (LAA) @ SEA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 105 pitches.

Is The Irish Panda back? Nah, the changeup returned just 3/22 whiffs and while the slider was effective, this wasn’t the Sandoval we fell for. I wouldn’t start him against the Twins next.

Edward Cabrera (MIA) @ CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 78 pitches.

Oh dang, welcome back Cabrera! I’m absolutely stunned by his ability to hover the edge of the zone in this one, barely touching the zone at all, and earning all the whiffs with it. That’s a tough game to play consistently and I have concerns it’ll tip one way or another negatively – less competitive pitches = more than three walks, while more competitive = more hits. Or maybe his slider + curve can earn 10 whiffs again. That would be incredible given we already believe in the changeup coming it at 93 mph + his 96/97 mph heater is doing work. Pick him up if he’s out there and I’m cool with starting him against the Phils next.

Tony Gonsolin (LAD) vs SD (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 98 pitches.

Phew. It’s been a rough few weeks for Gonsolin and the Padres becoming a tough offense made me terrified. Seven whiffs, a 16% CSW splitter, and a horrid slider give me huge concern moving forward and makes me think we’re not out of the woods yet, but at least that four-seamer did work and the Royals should be some much-needed respite.

Justin Steele (CHC) vs MIA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.

This was Steele at his best. His four-seamer and slider command was incredible, though he extended at-bats a bit too frequently, forcing him out of the game before he could complete five frames. I wouldn’t read much into that as these locations are a wonderful trend. I can’t tell you it’ll stick around, but I sure hope it does. And guess what, it’s Natty Lite next. I’m letting him fly there.

Bryan Garcia (DET) vs TB (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 6 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 72 pitches.

Six walks in four innings?! I haven’t taken six walks since July 1st. I really need to get out of the house more…

Kyle Gibson (PHI) vs WSH (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 105 pitches.

Get used to this against Natty Lite. When you see a fringe Toby like Gibson get the Nationals on their schedule, you better get amped.

Eric Lauer (MIL) vs CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 100 pitches.

I’m glad he went 1 ER in seven, but the four-seamer sat just 92.8 mph and returned three whiffs. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined. I’d be careful against the Cardinals next, Lauer is a Cherry Bomb these days (just look at that WHIP…).

Robbie Ray (SEA) vs LAA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 23 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 106 pitches.

YES. I’m so glad to see Ray take proper advantage of the Angels after two rough starts against the Astros, earning a Gallows Pole as his slider was the elite pitch we remember, the four-seamer earning 44% CSW, and the sinker going 67% strikes. Thanks Ray, we needed this.

Dylan Cease (CWS) @ TEX (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.

Aces gonna ace and earn just five strikeouts. Why? Because he went just 41% sliders instead of the 50-60% we’ve seen lately. I blame the fact he failed to locate them down-and-armside like we normally see em, forcing him to rely more on heaters and curves. Props to Cease adapting, let’s hope he flirts with double-digit strikeouts next time.

Mitch Keller (PIT) @ BAL (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 87 pitches.

That’s a Dusty Donut alright, with a 1.50 WHIP and just one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!) to go along with a lovely 1.50 ERA for Keller. That’s four of his last five with 0/1 ER and now he gets the Diamondbacks. I guess that can work, though I need to preach caution about his drop in velocity to just 93.5 mph in this one. I liked his sinker command armside and ability to earn strikes with the curve, but he’s not at Vargas Rule levels for me yet. It’s too underwhelming for that.

Josh Winckowski (BOS) @ KC (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.

The man is a cheap Win machine, and it could continue against the Orioles next time as well. Something to consider if you’re in dire need, but I’d avoid otherwise. His stuff is too mediocre.

Germán Márquez (COL) @ ARI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 103 pitches.

This was the only start I remotely considered Márquez all year and he squeaked by to be successful. I can’t help but chuckle about it as the one area where I was hopeful was the curve coming around and it went…2/22 whiffs with 14% CSW. I wish you could see my head acting like a bobblehead right now with my repulsion.

Nestor Cortes (NYY) @ STL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 83 pitches.

We’ll absolutely take this from Cortes and I’m happy to see his four-seamer gain a tick of velocity and still earn whiffs. The cutter was highly questionable, though, and I hope that command comes back soon. I’d so love for this to survive through the end of the year.

Framber Valdez (HOU) @ CLE (W) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.

Blegh. That WHIP is returning and I don’t like it. The curveball – Valdez’s best pitch – was atrocious, forcing too much out of his sinker and cutter. It’s a One Night Bland…I hope.

Corey Kluber (TB) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 84 pitches.

Meh. I want better than a PQS from Kluber in the best matchup of the season, you know? Solid cutters inside to lefties, blame the sinker allowing too many hits.

Dakota Hudson (STL) vs NYY (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 78 pitches.

He’s The Dime for a reason and sometimes that coin flip comes with a man slapping it out of the air and taking all chance out of the equation. The Yankees be like that sometimes.

Tyler Mahle (MIN) vs TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 86 pitches.

This was shaping up to be a wonderful team debut for Mahle until running into two homers in the sixth for a standard Careful, Icarus affair. That’s the Jays, y’all. Be happy Mahle is a Twin.

Madison Bumgarner (ARI) vs COL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.

His velocity came back up to 91/92 as he hosted Rockie Road and it didn’t matter. Avoid Bumgarner until we see something pull us back in.

Ian Anderson (ATL) @ NYM (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.

The man is a Cherry Bomb, though I love his precision with changeups and generally keeping four-seamers in the zone. I really wish the curve could be something better, though, as he needs to save the change for out of the zone, not as a supplement to the four-seamer. Sigh.

Zack Greinke (KC) vs BOS (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.

You don’t roster Greinke to start him against the Red Sox. Maaaaybe the White Sox next. Maybe.

Robert Dugger (CIN) @ MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 73 pitches.

Ohhhh it’s that guy! The former Marlin! Cool.

José Berríos (TOR) @ MIN (ND) – 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 60 pitches.

Ugh, what a disappointing season for Berríos. I know, it’s the Twins, but just one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!) is still a letdown as his curveball wasn’t the stud pitch it needs to be. Start him against the Orioles, at least.

Josiah Gray (WSH) @ PHI (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 79 pitches.

When I use the term Natty Lite, I’m only referring to the Nationals offense, Gray. His command was far worse than we’ve seen lately and he couldn’t get into a rhythm as the Phillies pounced. Fortunately he gets a palette cleanser with the Cubs next and I think that’s still a Questionable Start. He’s a Cherry Bomb, after all.

Sean Manaea (SD) @ LAD (L) – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.

Hmmmm. His changeup and slider seem like new pitches as they each gained over three ticks of velocity in this one, with the heater sitting 92/93 mph for the first time in a while, as well. But it was a terrible start! I mean, yeah, we expected that. thing is, if he does this against the Giants next time, I think that’ll actually help you out. So do that.

Hunter Gaddis (CLE) vs HOU (L) – 3.1 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 79 pitches.

He made his MLB debut for the Guardians and while i won’t rule out seeing something better down the line, we’re so far away from that right now. Nothing special to latch onto here, sadly.

Taijuan Walker (NYM) vs ATL (L) – 1.0 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 50 pitches.

Ouch. He got ambushed across both the first and second, trying to find something that Atlanta couldn’t hit. Some days just are like that, sadly this one raised his ERA from 2.79 to 3.45. That’s Baseball, Suzyn. He gets the Reds next, so don’t rage quit here.

 

Game of the Day 

Max Scherzer vs. Max Fried – Elite pitching to the MAX.

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 Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)