Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Kenny For Your Thoughts

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.  

Kenny Rosenberg (LAA) vs CLE (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.

It’s getting down to the wire and Kenny Rosenberg is a name you barely know. I saw him go six frames of decency and still didn’t think he was worth your attention, but after securing a Win against Cleveland via 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches you’re starting to wonder if there’s some sneaky value to grab in the final weeks of the season. Look at you, wise and focused manager despite some other dumb sport getting all the attention today.

In short, Kenny gets the Tigers and that’s a decent stream. Rosenberg chucks middling 90/91 mph heaters in an attempt to avoid the heart of the plate and open the door for a solid changeup to find the ends of bats, weakly tapping balls into gloves. It worked here, it worked last time, and it could happen thrice with Detroit on the doorstep.

Don’t expect the world from him, but those in QS leagues or AL-Only, this may be a timely pickup for cheap ratio value.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Pablo López (MIN) vs NYM (ND) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 14 Ks – 25 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 106 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. This was the BSB perfected with a far better four-seamer this time around, plastering the upper third of the zone and above, returning 13/36 whiffs for a 36% SwStr rate, while the sweeper and changeup fell underneath for consistent strikes. This outing puts him third in the majors at 213 strikeouts and y’all better have the same adoration for him that I do.

Corbin Burnes (MIL) @ NYY (ND) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 109 pitches.

Burnes took a no-hitter through seven, hurt his ankle to end the inning, came back and shut down the Yankees for another frame, got pulled, and the Brewers lost in 13 innings. BASEBALL. At least his cutter was more like its former self with his slider actually being productive once again. That was cool.

Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs MIL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 106 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Pretty fun to watch the preseason SP #1 vs. SP #2 duel with both cursing the sport of baseball for preventing them from earning a Win. I just hope they both had fun.

Hunter Greene (CIN) vs STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 109 pitches.

Walks, Schmalks. Everything that actually matters for fantasy is elite here, his pitch separation is beautiful, and the schedule is still fantastic. We groovin’, y’all.

Tylor Megill (NYM) @ MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.

We’ll take it. Megill was able to paint the top of the zone red with heaters, though four walks and two strikeouts are a product of his lack of arsenal depth. It’s a little concerning, and yet he hosts the Reds next week. I can’t say no to that.

J.P. France (HOU) vs SD (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 97 pitches.

Ayyy, we’ll take it all day, even if it’s a Dusty Donut, or as France calls it, La beignet poussiéreux. Yes, I do have a fantastic French accent, thanks for asking.

Luis L. Ortiz (PIT) @ ATL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 73 pitches.

Welp, there’s your Gold Star as Ortiz failed to butter any bread, but lasted 5.1 innings of 1 ER ball against one of the greatest offenses in history. He had something close to a Neckbeard approach here while going 9% CSW on his sinker and 3/27 whiffs on his slider. Sooooo yeah, I’m glad you had a wonderful Birthday Party.

Joe Mantiply (ARI) @ CHC (L) – 1.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 8% CSW, 13 pitches.

It was a double opener for Brandon Pfaadt, who tossed the final six frames with 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 78 pitches. Ah, I almost forgot the Pfaadt signature: three HRs allowed. He’s getting the Cubs again and it’s still a coin flip, but one I’d prefer not to take.

Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ LAA (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 90 pitches.

Ah, so this is what it looks like when he actually spots his slider. We’re talking 53% CSW on the pitch as both his four-seamer and changeup each returned five whiffs of their own, accelerating Bibee through seven frames. I still think that changeup needs some work and watching Bibee gives me anxiety as I have little faith he can execute proper sequencing during at-bats, but this was a solid glimpse into what could be.

José Berríos (TOR) vs KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 100 pitches.

Berríos cruised through this one and earned the Win due to Ragans’ sixth-inning shenanigans bringing the Jays back into the game. I’m so glad he avoids the upcoming Texas series and has an easy go of it the rest of the way.

Allan Winans (ATL) vs PIT (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 86 pitches.

Winans returned to the rotation and came through as our streaming pick, boasting a phenomenal slider and a sinker that snuck into the zone constantly for strikes. It works and I imagine with Darius Vines heading back to the minors, Winans has this rotation spot moving forward. Yes, I’d start him against the Marlins next time out.

Cole Ragans (KC) @ TOR (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 6 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 105 pitches.

If you didn’t join us for the routine Ragans watch party on Playback, you missed out. Ragans was cruising through 5.2 frames until he walked two batters, tossed three straight wild pitches that allowed both runners to score (breaking a 26-inning scoreless streak, mind you), walked the batter at 3-0, and was pulled from the game. Those wild pitches were a product of Ragans failing to land properly with his front foot and it was one of the wilder sequences I’ve seen, especially from a pitcher who was so obviously about to earn his AGA tag. I kinda wonder if this outing will make people think his walks are an issue (they aren’t) in the off-season, so maybe there’s some silver lining to it…? We’re 100% starting him against the Astros.

Kyle Hendricks (CHC) vs ARI (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 82 pitches.

Yep, that’s Hendricks against a middling team. Like me getting thrown up in the air at five, I’m asking him to Do It Again.

Sawyer Gipson-Long (DET) vs CWS (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 73 pitches.

I kinda dig this guy. He had a whole lot of confidence throwing righty-on-righty changeups while his 92/93 mph sinker returned a 47% CSW and slider boasted a 42% CSW clip of its own. And here’s the thing – it’s the Angels + Athletics up next. At 73 pitches here, that could mean 80+ there and is it wrong that I want to chase it? The changeup and slider look like enough.

Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) @ BOS (L) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.

Blegh. It wasn’t the smoothest I’ve seen Grayson, but he did get a bit Singled Out mixed with a few doubles off poor pitches. The Red Sox really are dangerous in Fenway, huh.

Ryan Yarbrough (LAD) @ WSH (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 78 pitches.

Womp womp. We all wanted the Fratty Pirate to last five frames, but we just haven’t seen that longevity from him. Maybe he gets opened for next time…?

Steven Okert (MIA) @ PHI (ND) – 0.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 12 pitches.

And here I thought Daniel Castano would appear. Instead it was mediocrity from Bryan Hoeing across 3.1 innings and I’m not going to waste any more time here.

Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs MIA (ND) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.

Believe it or not, Suárez had a no-hitter through six in this one, showcasing the pitch separation I’ve been wanting him to have for so long. He’s clearly found his rhythm again and it means we’re down to stream him against the Cardinals next. If he still has it there, I don’t see why you wouldn’t start him for the Mets for each of his final two outings.

Keaton Winn (SF) vs COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 48% CSW, 80 pitches.

Whoa whoa whoa, 48% CSW?! I believe that’s a Top 5 CSW for any starting pitcher all season. Take your dang King Cole with a…WHAT. 18/46 whiff splitter?! Ahhhh, so THAT’S where “The Thing” went. Or we could just say Blame it on the Rockies and carry on our merry way. Wait, Nick! This is unreal! Why wouldn’t we pick him up? Because it’s Coors + Dodgers + Padres in his next three starts…AND IT’S A SPLITTER. Okay, fair.

Zach Eflin (TB) vs SEA (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 83 pitches.

Eflin is doing his best to remind everyone of the Toby he was supposed to be in 2023. Nah, I jest. Let’s be happy he had his curveball working again, though the cutter seemed a bit off for the second straight start. Get that dang thing down please. We keep starting the man, of course.

Brayan Bello (BOS) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 92 pitches.

I’m glad he got you a Win, but with the Jays + Rangers up next, is this what you really want to hold onto? I’d see if there’s something better on the wire to replace Bello with. It’s not terrible to roll the dice with Bello, I’d just explore my options.

Jesse Scholtens (CWS) @ DET (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.

Alright, you’ve had your fun, can you let go of this one now? Fine. THANK YOU.

Jon Gray (TEX) vs OAK (ND) – 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 60 pitches.

Not only was this a massive disappointment from Gray, but it also featured a surprise guest appearance of Andrew Heaney, who tossed 3.2 frames of shutout ball with six strikeouts. Huh. As for Jonny G, his command was horrendous, going with the ole “miss terrible or chuck down the pipe” approach that pitchers find themselves stuck in from time to time. I imagine he gets the ball again in five games against the Guardians and I’d still go for it. Surely this was just a bad day at the park, right?

Matt Waldron (SD) @ HOU (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 88 pitches.

Remember kids, Don’t Trust A Knuckleballer. 

Miles Mikolas (STL) @ CIN (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 95 pitches.

Why are you still trying to make Mikolas happen? It’s never gonna happen.

Bryce Miller (SEA) @ TB (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 93 pitches.

And so ends our tenure with Bryce in 2023 with LAD + TEX + HOU on the horizon. It has been a year of ups and downs, Dusty Donuts galore, and peaks that make us wonder if greatness is around the corner. Just get that slider in order over the winter, okay? 

Luis Medina (OAK) @ TEX (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 84 pitches.

The slider went 1/14 whiffs. The dream is dead. How can it be dead if it was never alive? Is any dream truly alive? … I wasn’t ready for that question. No one ever is.

Peter Lambert (COL) @ SF (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 91 pitches.

Hahahaha, OKAY I GET IT, IT WAS A DUMB IDEA. I’M SORRY.

Trevor Williams (WSH) vs LAD (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 101 pitches.

Team #NeverTrevor.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Mason Miller vs. Framber Valdez – It won’t be a lot of Mason, but I’m going to enjoy a whole lot of it. Meanwhile, Framber, buddy, pal. Throw more curves and cutters. Do it for the kids.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

Have Questions? – Join my morning Playback.tv livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.

Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)