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 Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.
Adrian Houser (MIL) vs CIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
As y’all know, I’m focusing on the underrostered for many of these SP Roundup features and Adrian Houser is sure to get some attention for his 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches performance against the Reds, earning a Win for daring managers.
Do I need to say a whole lot? HAISTBMBWT?! as he hurled a ton of sinkers and the balls found gloves instead of grass. It can happen with Houser (Blame it on the Reds) but the schedule ahead isn’t favorable (NYY, @CIN, STL, ARI) and it’s a desperate play instead of one to circle, even when he heads into Cincinnati.
Seriously, the secondary stuff just isn’t good and that sinker is too unreliable for me to do anything but shrug and move on. You don’t want your season coming down to this.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Triston McKenzie (CLE) @ MIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 97 pitches.
ATTA BOY TRISTON. I can’t help but wonder where he’ll go in drafts next year. I still have my concerns about his slider & overall command, but he’s boasting a 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 25% strikeout rate with a surprisingly low 6.7% walk rate. You’re going to see Triston as a Top 20 SP from many people next year and I don’t think I’ll be one of them. Too much volatility in the command for me…but maybe I’ll be convinced. We’ll see.
George Kirby (SEA) vs ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
Ayyyy look at this! He was sent out there for the seventh and an error on a would-be double-play got him knocked out of the game, creating first-and-third when it should have been two outs. This could have been seven – I’m not sad about the final line, just understand how good this was…and it was all fastballs. Still. Welp, doesn’t matter for 2022 – he gets a great schedule and is cruising – and we’ll talk over the long winter about Kirby for next year. Maybe that four-seamer is just so good that it doesn’t matter…?
Lance Lynn (CWS) @ OAK (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 107 pitches.
Aces gonna ace with a Gallows Pole. It’s really wonderful to see Lynn do his best to redeem his season and save fantasy managers down the stretch. 14/55 whiffs on four-seamers because that’s what he does.
Carlos Carrasco (NYM) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 74 pitches.
Yessssss. The pitch count was down as we anticipated, but the man went six frames in just 74 pitches and did everything you could have hoped for. And now it’s Pittsburgh and all is lovely.
José Ureña (COL) vs ARI (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 81 pitches.
…okay Ureña. I see you’ve slotted into the role of Antonio Senzatela and I’m taking it personally. 14 Whiffs is pretty dang remarkable, by the way.
Shohei Ohtani (LAA) @ HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 79 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I’m sure the Astros are sick of seeing Ohtani this year.
Julio Urías (LAD) @ SD (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 83 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He’s really good y’all.
Logan Webb (SF) @ CHC (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 102 pitches.
Ahhhh, thanks for taking advantage of the easy start during this challenging period. Good luck against the Dodgers and Coors, we’re all counting on you.
Matt Manning (DET) @ KC (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 94 pitches.
Ay, this one worked, and it was all four-seamers all the time near 60% usage and 8% CSW across 25 curves + changeups. The heater was down to 92.7 mph, but it worked this time. Maybe it will again? I don’t want to bet on it.
Max Fried (ATL) @ SEA (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. That changeup has been a game-changer for Fried this year.
Chase Anderson (CIN) @ MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 84 pitches.
He’s stretched out to 84 pitches now, but I’m not seeing enough to indicate he has any fantasy relevance yet. Maybe by the time he gets the Pirates and Cubs in his final two starts, but nothing more.
Chris Archer (MIN) vs CLE (L) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 40 pitches.
He hit the IL after this one with a pec injury. Bummer, it may mean we see more Josh Winder and Louie Varland, and they could be something down the stretch.
Jameson Taillon (NYY) vs TB (W) – 7.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 99 pitches.
With a massive lead on his back, Jameson did exactly what he should do – throw a ton of strikes. And hey! It worked massively for a King Cole and a whopping eight strikeouts. Thank the four-seamer command for 46% CSW while he was able to get a lot out of his slider and curve. Great to see and we’re good for the Brewers next.
Michael Wacha (BOS) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 82 pitches.
Sure, I’ll take a PQS with all the lovely accessories. The changeup is still great and the four-seamer is still down to 92 mph, but the command is solid. Keep it going.
JT Brubaker (PIT) vs STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
That’s a near VPQS and you’re happy with it if you needed to rely on Coffee Cakes here. It doesn’t get easier with the Mets and I’m still out for now. He’s of consideration against the Cubs (QS tier) but not something I’m targetting.
Jack Flaherty (STL) @ PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 87 pitches.
Whaaaaat. His velocity was fine but the command was all over the place. Welp, he gets the Reds next and you can only hope it gets better – he’s still getting his pitches in and it could be a simple tweak.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs WSH (W) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 103 pitches.
He hasn’t been able to take advantage of weak offenses across the last month, why would it be any different now?
Madison Bumgarner (ARI) @ COL (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 99 pitches.
Bumgarner in Coors with what I’d call a VPNQS as he was one ER over the mark isn’t a surprise in the slightest. Let’s move on.
Marcus Stroman (CHC) vs SF (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 80 pitches.
Blegh. Come on Stroman, it’s the Giants. Whatever, it’s Rockie Road and the Marlins next. Gotta keep putting the coal in the engine even if you aren’t unionized and working overtime. One of these days…
Erick Fedde (WSH) @ PHI (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 79 pitches.
Remember kids, Don’t Trust The Feddes.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) @ TEX (W) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 101 pitches.
How many times have we seen an incredible K/BB but far too many hits from Gausman? It’s getting out of hand how unfortunate his BABIP is…though I may have something to share with y’all about that this off-season. Yes, that’s a tease. We’ll talk soon. As for the rest of this season, you keep starting the man and demand fewer hits.
Blake Snell (SD) vs LAD (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.
Blegh. You took the chance against the Dodgers and I’m disappointed with you. Good news is the slider is still filthy as anything (42% CSW) but he couldn’t get his heater over the plate. Keep starting him and hope the adjustment is made before he gets Coors + Dodgers in two weeks.
José Urquidy (HOU) vs LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
Uggggh. The man got hit, throwing too many hittable pitches in this one, mostly with changeups and heaters. It’s not enough to stop starting him, I’m sorry you got the extreme of his possible outcomes. Yes, I can sound like a quant when I want to, you know.
Corey Kluber (TB) @ NYY (L) – 0.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 32 pitches.
You’ve already heard about it – Kluber allowed seven straight singles to start this game – and it’s not like he threw horrible pitches. I don’t think I’ve seen a more appropriate Singled Out since I started doing this. Now comes the gauntlet – Jays & Astros twice each – and you likely want to reconsider Kluber on your rosters if you haven’t already.
Jonathan Heasley (KC) vs DET (L) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 81 pitches.
Ugggggh. He went seven strong against the Tigers last time and relapsed to disappointment with a HAISTBMBWT?! Sigh. On to the next one, I guess.
Adrian Martinez (OAK) vs CWS (L) – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 14 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.
Womp womp. The change is still good, the rest isn’t. He’s a Young Gun and has a chance for value against the Angels twice at the end, but yeah, that’s about it.
Jordan Lyles (BAL) vs BOS (L) – 3.2 IP, 8 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 77 pitches.
Yeah yeah yeah, this wasn’t the time to target Lyles. Jays are next (nope) but the Tigers await after that. Circle that entire series for Baltimore starters.
Pablo López (MIA) vs NYM (L) – 3.2 IP, 8 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 78 pitches.
Man, this one hurts. We had our uneasiness but trust your studs, I said. The changeup went just 2/21 CSW and without that one, his four-seamer/curve is far from enough. It gets easier now – Phils and Cubs next – and you have to keep starting him, but yeah, I feel you guys. It’s been a weird year for Pablo.
Kohei Arihara (TEX) vs TOR (L) – 3.0 IP, 11 ER, 12 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 99 pitches.
HAISTBMBWT?! said no one because no one started him. If an Arihara earns a HAISTBMBWT?! but no one is there to start him, do we make a sound?
Game of the Day
Zac Gallen vs. Colorado Rockies – Will Gallen’s scoreless inning streak continue in Coors? YOU GOTTA WATCH THIS.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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