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.
Joan Adon (WSH) @ CIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 86 pitches.
If you missed it yesterday, Joan Adon had a perfect game going for 5.2 frames until a pair of hits + a home run ruined his pristine night at the park – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 86 pitches. Wait, Adon is starting again? I know. Let’s talk about that.
We saw Adon for a pair of relief appearances in July but otherwise haven’t gotten a proper look at him all season and this was a massive surprise for everyone involved. He featured four-seamers + curveballs for 85% of his pitches at a near-even split, each returning over 30% CSW and earning strikes constantly.
If you remember him from his initial debut in the final game of 2021, I was impressed by his two-pitch mix of 95 mph heater and 43% CSW slider. That’s since changed after a horrific 2022 campaign and with his 25th birthday a week away, there’s a chance Adon has developed further to become a fantasy-relevant starter.
Well, there’s a chance, but if he pitches like he did here consistently, I don’t think you’ll want to have him rostered. His curve and four-seamer were not as precise as the results would like you to believe (both pitches had more Bad pitches than Quality) and as a two-pitch pitcher, both offerings need to be well above-average, not decent.
If he happens to get another shot in the rotation (he’s currently not expected to make another pass), it could be against the Athletics over the weekend. It’s not the worst dart throw I’ve seen, but I wouldn’t be scrambling to the wire if the opportunity arises. He’s riskier than that line would suggest.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Paul Blackburn (OAK) vs SF (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 105 pitches.
Whoa. I liked this stream for Blackburn with his high slider usage last time out and we saw…0/15 slider whiffs and 0/24 cutter whiffs. Wait what. Yeah, this was CHANGEUP game – 10/23 whiffs with a 52% CSW. OUT OF NOWHERE. Absolutely bonkers. Paulie Punchouts has returned and I’ll give him props showing two different ways for him to dominate in two starts, but what are we going to see against the Nationals next time out? I’m not sure and it’s a little risky. But what if he has both the change and slider? I know, right?
Tarik Skubal (DET) vs TB (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
You know, I don’t think this was the best start for his four-seamer as it fell low in the zone far too often (and allowed a fair number of hits there). That said, the slider and change were as good as I’ve seen all year and I’m so on the Skubal train. He’s still at 96 mph and he has all the potential. It’s like what I wanted Detmers to be. I love it.
Michael Grove (LAD) @ SD (ND) – 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 55% CSW, 20 pitches.
Grove opened for the Fratty Pirate, but earned all four of his outs via the way of the K and that’s kinda awesome (5/9 slider whiffs lol). As for Ryan Yarbrough, he did everything you could have hoped for with 1 ER across 4.1 IP and 64 pitches, opening the door for a Win…if the pen didn’t blow it. Womp womp. There’s a chance Yarbrough is that Win vulture in the future and keep that in mind for your streams.
John Schreiber (BOS) vs TOR (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 17 pitches.
We got a surprise visit from Nick Pivetta after it looked like he was being pushed to Sunday’s games and unfortunately, despite landing his slider well in this one, it went just 3/17 whiffs and a massive 60% lean on the four-seamer didn’t help things. I don’t think this is an outing that suggests we should get completely off the Pivetta train (4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks, 66 pitches) and I’d encourage a start against the Royals next. The slider locations are still there.
George Kirby (SEA) @ LAA (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.
Atta boy Kirby. The four-seamer earned a 24% SwStr rate and even the slider went 25% SwStr rate on its own. If that holds in any way, he’s going to give you a whole lot more starts like this one. That splitter was so bad though.
Kenta Maeda (MIN) vs ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 87 pitches.
The dude can’t be stopped. Since he returned from the IL on 6/23, he’s produced a 2.47 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 34% Strikeout Rate across 43.2 IP in eight starts. Glorious.
Steven Matz (STL) vs COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 103 pitches.
Yessssss. Matz keeps coming through for loyal managers as his sinker went upstairs and along the gloveside edge, the curve got strikes, and the changeup was reasonably down. We keep rolling with this as he gets the Royals next.
Ross Stripling (SF) @ OAK (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 74 pitches.
THE CHANGEUP IS BACK. 11/27 whiffs with a 48% CSW with 36% usage is glorious, earning Strip the King Cole and all our love. Way to come through in a lovely matchup Ross, now enjoy these flowers and a congratulatory card as you face the Rangers. Sorry I can’t be there.
Bailey Falter (PIT) @ MIL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 63 pitches.
Not so terrible for Falter in his debut for the Pirates, featuring a tick of extra velocity against the Brewers. That said, there’s still more to squeeze out of his arsenal and with Atlanta next, you’re not picking him up now.
Nestor Cortes (NYY) vs HOU (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 64 pitches.
Whoaaaaa, WELCOME BACK. That’s a share of the Gallows Pole across just 64 pitches, which is absolutely insane, and he would have had a Golden Goal if he hit the CSW minimum of five frames. This was a product of his four-seamer sitting 93 mph (not 91!) and his breaker doing everything right by stealing strikes in the zone as the four-seamer lived upstairs. Oh man, if Cortes is actually this guy moving forward and this wasn’t just a product of excitement to return…how wonderful would that be.
Justin Verlander (HOU) @ NYY (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 97 pitches.
I expected more from Verlander with the adrenaline of returning to the Astros and this wasn’t the best-located game we’ve seen from Verlander. So it goes.
Corbin Burnes (MIL) vs PIT (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 107 pitches.
I want to give you the tag. I really do. But y’all can agree, a coronation after a game with four walks feels like Scar becoming king. It just doesn’t feel right. But who cares, you keep starting him, duh.
Michael Kopech (CWS) @ CLE (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.
That’s a better outing than I expected, which was a bit interrupted by some brawl or something. His velocity was back to 95.1 mph, which is still low for Kopech, but at least it’s not 93 that it was last time. I really think you should reconsider leaning on Kopech moving forward, even with the Brewers next. He’s not carrying the upside you think he has.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs SEA (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 80 pitches.
We’ll absolutely take that from Anderson, who had the changeup of dreams in this one at a 49% CSW across 44% usage. That reads as incessant dominance, with 12/35 whiffs and it reinforces the notion of the Mariners’ susceptibility to changeups. Sadly, the Astros are next and I’d avoid Anderson for that one. Far too risky.
Javier Assad (CHC) vs ATL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 83 pitches.
Ayyyy, it’s Assad! And he’s not doing anything of interest. Cool cool cool.
Kyle Gibson (BAL) vs NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 98 pitches.
Gibson was looking so good early on, allowed a weird home run, and continued to destroy the Mets with his changeup. Man, Saturday really was the day of ridiculous slowballs as the pitch went a whopping 11/22 whiffs, and the sweeper helped with 4/11 whiffs on its own. Maybe I should be putting more respect to the name of Gibson with a 3.86 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 25% strikeout rate (15% SwStr rate!) across his last six starts against some strong offenses, and yet I can’t help but wonder if this is just a momentary stretch. I just don’t know what we’ll get, you know?
José Berríos (TOR) @ BOS (W) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 85 pitches.
I was scared by the Red Sox offense and sure, the ERA was a touch higher than you want, but everything else was fantastic for your squads. Keep on keepin’ on.
Jon Gray (TEX) vs MIA (W) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 77 pitches.
The slider is still fantastic – 10/39 whiffs, but the four-seamer precision isn’t there yet as literally all six of his hits came on y-mLoc% four-seamers. Just get rid of those pitches and BAM! You have a stud. Please figure it out.
Blake Snell (SD) vs LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 108 pitches.
The slider went 7/20 whiffs and the curve held a 37% CSW, which means the four-seamer and change were the ones that let down Snell in this one. The heater was all over the place with some excellent ones upstairs and many more falling under the zone and missing laterally. The changeup went just 4/18 CSW and needs to do a little more, sadly. It’s fascinating with Snell – he’s right there and yet can’t have that one game of pure brilliance. And yet, he still earned you eight strikeouts without the worst ERA and WHIP we’ve ever seen during this game of blegh. There’s something to be said about that floor against a team like the Dodgers.
Aaron Civale (TB) @ DET (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
Womp womp. I’m surprised to see the sinker getting featured more than the curveball (Rays, please tell me you didn’t do this) and I imagine Civale will rebound against the Cardinals and Giants next.
Alec Marsh (KC) @ PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 66 pitches.
Sadly, we cannot stan Marsh.
George Soriano (MIA) @ TEX (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 59 pitches.
He was granted his first career start against the Rangers. Marlins, what are you, the Diamondbacks? How cruel is that. Anyway, I think he has decent stuff, but the command isn’t good enough and I don’t think we see this again with Eury’s return to the rotation on Monday.
Ty Blach (COL) @ STL (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
Ahhhh. This decision is pretty Blach and right. You know, you start Blach or you can do what’s right. Your call.
Noah Syndergaard (CLE) vs CWS (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 83 pitches.
Yep, that’s Thor alright. Please don’t. Kinda interesting he went 29% curveballs…STOP.
Tylor Megill (NYM) @ BAL (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 102 pitches.
The fastball is back to 96 mph as we saw in the minors, but without a good changeup or slider, it doesn’t really matter.
Bryce Elder (ATL) @ CHC (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches.
A lot are freaking out about this start in particular, but why? Elder was removed from the Vargas Rule a few weeks ago, he’s just faced teams you can stream since. The Cubs are not a team to stream against. It’s easy, y’all.
Andrew Abbott (CIN) vs WSH (L) – 5.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 105 pitches.
Oh jeeeeez Abbott. Don’t do this to us. Right when I started to have adoration, you confirm all the suspicion I had earlier in your career. COME ON. The sweeper that pulled me in was shelved to just 15% usage and missed frequently, the fastball wasn’t well spotted, the changeup floated, and this was horrific. This is the floor of Abbott and it’s not the first time we’ve seen it. That said, he’s not destined to live down here for the rest of the year and the Pirates next make for a solid palate cleanser.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs KC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 86 pitches.
Awwwww, we were having such a good time! At least he still gave you seven strikeouts with the slider stepping up to 37% CSW and the changeup still going eight whiffs, it just wasn’t it the cards this time. Still hold for the Twins next. I think it’s worthwhile as each offering is still working, including double-digit called strikes on the sinker once again here.
Ryne Nelson (ARI) @ MIN (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 60 pitches.
Can’t say I’m too shocked given the lack of strong secondaries, though the changeup and cutter performed a little better than usual here. Don’t go full Nelson, that’s a tough position to get out of.
Game of the Day
Bryce Miller vs. Chase Silseth – I want Miller to avoid the longball and Silseth to earn all the breaker whiffs.
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 Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter