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 Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Cal Quantrill (CLE) vs TB (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.
After sporting a trio of seasons under a 3.50 ERA, Cal Quantrill seemingly fell back to Earth in 2023, boasting a 6.45 ERA until his IL stint in July. He was always a Toby at best, who over-performed his metrics. This is true, and yet, here he is in his Still ILL outing up to his old tricks: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.
You’re wondering if it’s time to jump back and grab some late-season magic from Quantrill for the second straight year. He’s been a sinker/cutter arm for a long time, jamming RHB batters with sinkers and relying on the cutter over the plate. However, we saw changeups become a much larger part of his gameplan and despite their horrid 6% CSW, they instead returned foul balls and outs for a near 60% strike rate. I don’t believe it’s The Answer for Quantrill (that’s 42), but maybe it keeps his head a little more afloat.
He’s destined for the Twins and Giants next and with an 86 pitch count, he’s capable of going six in both. No, I’m not a fan, but I recognize this could work once again. Let’s just hope he’s not Superman moving forward. Wait, wouldn’t that be good? Nah, that would mean he’s Cal-L. NICK.
Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:
Max Fried (ATL) @ LAD (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 104 pitches.
OH H*CK YES. The curve hath returned and his fastball nibbled effectively around the edges. His slider and changeup were actually not great here, but if that curve is this dominant, he’s the ace you want him to be. One more start and the AGA is his.
JP Sears (OAK) vs LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.
Ayyyy, now that’s a good stream. I’m a little surprised it was just three strikeouts, but the Angels are just so blegh that Sears not pitching at his best was still very much worthwhile. Gotta love that Sears discount.
Max Scherzer (TEX) vs MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. It’s wild to think he’s still done so well despite announcing he was pitching hurt way back in the spring. What a stud.
Jose Cuas (CHC) @ CIN (ND) – 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 13 pitches.
This was a dual-follower game with Drew Smyly and Hayden Wesneski each getting three frames. The star was Wesneski, sitting three ticks up on the four-seamer and fanning six in 3.1 frames. LET THE MAN START. There’s no room in the rotation – this was a doubleheader. FINE. NEXT YEAR.
Dakota Hudson (STL) vs PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 90 pitches.
Sooooo, it’s old Hudson. The slider isn’t the whiff pitch anymore (HAISTBMBWT?!) and yet, here he is giving you all the ratios. Please move on with Atlanta next, k thx.
Kodai Senga (NYM) vs SEA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 104 pitches.
12/38 whiffs on the forkball as Senga, despite his inefficient nature (i.e. a ton of wasted pitches), makes another call for the AGA label. What a ride this has been.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) @ NYM (ND) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 97 pitches.
Eight whiffs and a 37% CSW on the four-seamer? FINALLY. Now keep it, please.
Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) @ CWS (W) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 103 pitches.
His velocity was down, but the command was legit and it’s the White Sox. Now he gets the Yanks + White Sox again and I’m all for it.
Mitch Keller (PIT) @ STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 98 pitches.
The dude is absolutely on a roll and with a fantastic schedule ahead, we’re not looking back.
Zach Davies (ARI) vs BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.
Davies lived down-and-armside here and avoided the heart of the plate super well. This is peak Davies and with Rockie Road next, it may be time to actually consider him for a stream.
Joe Ryan (MIN) @ TEX (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 74 pitches.
Yesssss, it’s good to have good Ryan back with us. His four-seamer precision was insane, allowing him to have a start like this despite still failing to have a consistent slider – or splitter, for that matter. When his heater is cooking, we’re okay with the secondaries lagging behind, and when they click, we get ace Ryan back.
Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. This is getting dumb in the best way. NOW HE HAS A CHANGEUP. 45% CSW across 20 thrown. What is life.
Jordan Wicks (CHC) @ CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.
I absolutely love Wicks’ changeup and if the cutter can be more of a 60%+ strike pitch (instead of the sub 50% it was here), he can make this work. I kinda hope the Cubs go six-man to let Wicks have this spot and Wesneski get his chance, but it’ll likely be Wicks as we hold for his start hosting the Giants.
Jordan Lyles (KC) vs BOS (W) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 114 pitches.
That’s a clear Gold Star as Lyles had arguably his best start of the year. We’re all happy for him, but we don’t do anything rash here.
Michael Wacha (SD) vs SF (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 108 pitches.
Velocity jumped up a tick, the changeup was good, and his command was on point. You love to see it.
Hyun Jin Ryu (TOR) @ COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 76 pitches.
Hey, this is kinda good for Coors. Now with Oakland up, be happy you had the brass to start him here and he’s on the wire, it’s time to pick him up.
Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 92 pitches.
He’s beginning to believe. Rodón hit 98.6 mph in this one, executed the BSB and is getting better with each start. Now he has Detroit + Boston + Pittsburgh. HO BOY STRAP IN.
Lyon Richardson (CIN) vs CHC (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
Nope. Nope nope nope.
Tyler Glasnow (TB) @ CLE (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Yes, even with one more run than you want. He’s still dope.
Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 102 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Yeah, it’s a PQS, but that’s ten strikeouts with a Gallows Pole. He’s so good.
Touki Toussaint (CWS) vs DET (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
He was a strikeout play and this wasn’t so bad if you went for it. I guess. I dunno, don’t do it.
Jake Irvin (WSH) vs MIA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.
He’s not the guy you want to chase, simple as that. He needs something else in the arsenal to make it worth the chance.
Graham Ashcraft (CIN) vs CHC (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 72 pitches.
That’s a King Cole and he would have gone longer if it weren’t for a sore toe. If he’s still starting against the Mariners, we don’t have much of a choice but to let him continue in our lineups.
Eury Pérez (MIA) @ WSH (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 86 pitches.
Okay, the homerun to Abrams was a bad 0-2 curveball. However, the homer to Blankenhorn? That was a heater way upstairs and super dumb. He’s still incredible.
Chris Flexen (COL) vs TOR (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches.
Flexen got messed up by a perfect strike three pitch called a ball, only to be followed by a longball. IT’S NOT FAIR. Then again, zero strikeouts in nearly six frames doesn’t speak to legitimacy either…HAISTBMBWT?! Fine, one strikeout and dealing with the Jays in Coors, but you get it. There’s an outside shot for Quality Start against the Sneks next week for those in deep leagues.
Cole Irvin (BAL) @ ARI (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.
One out away from a VPS (that’s not a thing, don’t worry) and with @BOS + TBR + @HOU next, it’s not the easiest hold. He’s still a decent Win chance arm, though.
Julio Urías (LAD) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.
Ummmm Hansel Atlanta is so hot right now. They have been all season. BUT SERIOUSLY. Don’t judge Urías for this.
Patrick Sandoval (LAA) @ OAK (L) – 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 79 pitches.
His changeup was good, the slider was decent, the four-seamer is still terrible. He needs the former two to be elite, otherwise it’s a low chance of success, even against the Athletics.
Justin Verlander (HOU) vs NYY (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 88 pitches.
Oh snap. Yes, he allowed a homer to the Martin, but Verlander also was unable to get his secondaries down. We brush it off and move on.
Tristan Beck (SF) @ SD (L) – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 49 pitches.
Oh boy. Alex Wood came in for three productive innings after but hot dang, this is rough.
James Paxton (BOS) @ KC (L) – 1.1 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 36 pitches.
He’s cooked. Yes and no. On one hand, he’s not getting fastball whiffs and wasn’t able to throw his curve and cutter for strikes in the small sample here. On the other, only two hits were off actually bad pitches and starts against the Rays and Yankees could still very well come through. It’s up to you, though with the 94 mph heater instead of 95/96, I think I’m going to sit it out. Too risky at this point with the trending down velocity across the last month.
Game of the Day
Kyle Harrison vs. Blake Snell – Two exciting lefties dueling? Absolutely.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Photo courtesy of MLB Photos | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@bearydoesgfx on Twitter)