Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday 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.
Keider Montero (DET) vs COL (W) – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 96 pitches.
Some days, you get a weak lineup on a night you have your best breakers, while spotting heaters inside the zone constantly that don’t get tagged. That was exactly what Keider Montero did to return a Maddux against the Rockies, going the distance for 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 96 pitches. Yes, I feel like a dunce for not being more into this start beforehand.
Maybe the near 20% curveball usage is the new plateau after hovering at 10% prior, but in all likelihood, it was Montero finding a feel and leaning into it. Interpret this however you like: This was either just Rockie Road or you’re a believer in 11/50 whiffs with his breakers. However, the fact of the matter is that Montero is set to face the Orioles twice in his next two starts. I think we can at least agree that his 93 mph four-seamer isn’t exceptional and given the track record, those two starts are simply not the starts worthy of chasing.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Seth Lugo (KCR) @ NYY (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 105 pitches.
Here I was scared about three tough matchups in a row and Lugo dominated. A King Cole with legit precision on heaters and cutters (Canibal McSanchez!) and a legit curve to merge with the rest of the mix. Now you can cruise to the finish line, kick up your feet, reflecting on your intelligence to draft Lugo in March.
Pablo López (MIN) vs LAA (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 105 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He allowed four unearned runs following a clear groundout to second that was bobbled, via an RBI single and terrible sinker that missed over the plate for a three-run shot. Outside of that extended fifth frame, PabLó had little issue. His velocity is still up, right around 96 mph, the sweeper boasted a 52% CSW, and his changeup was…fine. Not the best I’ve seen from him, but he earned strikes and generally returned outs. Way to be.
JP Sears (OAK) @ HOU (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 82 pitches.
Sears made his start a day early and I can’t say I expected 0 ER with just one strikeout in any universe. HAISTBMBWT?! This was a lot of Koufax kindness, but the White Sox are next and I’d circle that start. He gains it with Bido’s injury and Basso getting the call later this week to fill the spot. Even with Sears’ volatility, the CrySox are just so blegh against LHP.
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
How does that revenge taste? Gallen got the Win he chased in Game 5 of the World Series, landing four-seamers both up and down, fueling 14/44 called strikes on the 94 mph heater, enabling 5/26 curveball whiffs and…slider whiffs?! 4/16 with 63% strikes at 50% CSW is absolutely lovely and I hope that sticks around. Now it’s Coors and I’d go for it – he’s found something with the heater and curve, maybe the slider sticks, and he’s had a better history in Coors than most.
Rhett Lowder (CIN) @ STL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 84 pitches.
I’ve been awfully negative about Lowder and props to him for navigating the Cardinals for five shutout despite a 92 mph sinker mixed with a 50% strike four-seamer at 93 mph (0/20 whiffs), a good but not elite slider, and a decent changeup. The best skill is his pitch separation of sinkers and changeups armside + sliders away and maybe that’s enough for the Twins up next. I dunno, it’s just not enough. He’s a Toby at best.
Ben Lively (CLE) @ CHW (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 28 pitches.
Lively left this game early after taking a comebacker to the thigh. He’s expected to be okay, and it’s possible he makes it work against the Twins. I’d personally pass.
Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) vs MIA (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 27 pitches.
This was a bullpen game and Joey Wentz couldn’t survive just one more out to get the Win. I feel for those chasing the vulture Win, and I hope there’s something else to satiate your buzzard.
Reynaldo López (ATL) @ WSN (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 25 pitches.
Reynaldo was pulled with shoulder soreness after he sat 92 mph in the first frame – you know, over three ticks lower than his season average at 95/96 mph. You can drop him. I simply can’t imagine he makes his next start and there’s no time to stash right now.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs NYM (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 101 pitches.
Despite the horrible season prior, Bassitt showed up and did his thing. Now it’s the Cardinals + Rays + Marlins and we gotta ride this out.
Albert Suárez (BAL) @ BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 101 pitches.
Did Albert get White and Red confused? A Gallows Pole in Fenway is no easy task and he did so with the best curve and change we’ve seen, returning 13/49 whiffs between them. Four-seamers were precise as well and now we ride out the easy schedule as he’s clearly found his groove again. That dang White Sox start…
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs CHC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 59 pitches.
COME ON, LET HIM CONTINUE. He was stupid good, featuring 96 mph heaters, a reliable curveball, and a disgusting splitter that maxed out at 95 mph. He’s still refusing to elevate the heater much at all (I hate this with his elite 1.8 HAVAA) and would make for a tough call with 65-70 pitches expected in his next start…if it weren’t the Marlins. Awwww yis.
Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) vs OAK (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 97 pitches.
See? Everything’s fine. Cool to see the curveball come alive as his most-thrown offering and while I’m a little afraid of the Padres on Sunday, I think we ride this to the end at this point. If you can bench there, go ahead, then return for the Angels.
Aaron Civale (MIL) @ SFG (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 68 pitches.
Phew. The breakers are still lagging behind (just 32% usage across curves, sweepers, and sliders) and you should be terrified of two starts against the Sneks, but I’m happy this one was boring. Sometimes boring is good.
Landen Roupp (SFG) vs MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 68 pitches.
We got a surprise Roupp start and the man went 51% curveballs for 43% CSW. It was BSB with sinkers up top and it all happened so fast with five frames in sub 70 pitches. In and out. If he gets more time, he’d get the Padres, so even if you believe this approach works, you don’t want to go for that. And with few strikeouts, too. Good point, who said that? SQUAWK. Wait, that was you?!
Yu Darvish (SDP) @ SEA (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 63 pitches.
Atta boy Darvish. I’m surprised he didn’t go more than 63 pitches and it makes me resistant toward his next start against the Astros, but at least we have this one. If you can stomach that one, the CrySox likely follow and that should be magical.
MacKenzie Gore (WSN) vs ATL (L) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 79 pitches.
His velocity was down a tick to 95 mph, and for every dotted pitch, he threw another that wasn’t what he intended. The Cherry Bomb hath returned, but it’s the Marlins on Sunday. The treasure chest is too tempting to resist.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) @ LAD (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a Win by the hands of Bellinger’s absurd athleticism. Not the prettiest Imanaga start with three solo shots (two from Edman?!) all off the heater, and he adapted to grab 13 whiffs across splitters, changeups (yes, proper changeups and a splitter!), and sweepers. Keep. It. Going.
Kutter Crawford (BOS) vs BAL (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
Two homers off inside pitches to Mullins was all the damage done against Kutter in a difficult task in Fenway. It’s the second straight start that the sweeper took a backseat + the kutter became the lead pitch at 43% usage. I’m encouraged, but is it enough to chase for the Yankees? He’ll need that sweeper working there, and you’d be rewarded with the Twins + Rays if you have the fortitude to ride it out. It’s a tough call.
Taj Bradley (TBR) @ PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
Bradley’s Cherry Bomb nature returned a pair of longballs off four-seamers, but one was 99 mph upstairs to Trea that is rarely destroyed. Meanwhile, we saw 50% cutters that worked well, the splitter went 84% strikes, and I kinda dig this version. If it weren’t the Phillies, I think it would have worked. That said, his HR problem is likely sticking as he heads into Cleveland, making that an avoid. Womp womp.
Jonathan Cannon (CHW) vs CLE (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
You know, he did what he wanted with his heater – avoided the heart of the plate and relied on his sweeper and changeup. Sadly, those just weren’t good enough. Maybe one day.
Marcus Stroman (NYY) vs KCR (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
Sigh. It’s just not worth it.
Andre Pallante (STL) vs CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
His cut-fastball let him down again, returning just 53% strikes on the four-seamer, and leading to the struggles above. At least he gets the Pirates next and I wouldn’t rule out a rebound for the pitch, making him a deep streaming option. You can do better in your standard formats.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs TBR (ND) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 12 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 88 pitches.
His velocity is still down (about a tick) and the sinker was terribly spotted, without his best changeup or curve. I don’t think you can keep going with this.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) @ ARI (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.
Yikes. Sporer was vocal in his fear of the Diamondbacks offense during our live episode of the Fireside Chat on Tuesday and they certainly looked strong in this one. That said, Eovaldi was sitting just 94 mph with 3/31 splitter whiffs, making it more difficult than usual to take down the team he dominated last October. It was the last troublesome matchup of the year for Eovaldi and I’d still start him against the Jays, Mariners, and Angels despite the lower velocity.
David Peterson (NYM) @ TOR (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches.
Bleeeegh. Peterson’s BSB command disappeared and the Jays pounced. He was in such a good rhythm that I can imagine you’re still holding for the Nationals and that’s a coin-flip in my view. Hopefully it was just a misstep, but Peterson isn’t a legit starter if he doesn’t have that precision.
Bradley Blalock (COL) @ DET (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 82 pitches.
COL story, bro.
George Kirby (SEA) vs SDP (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches.
Bleeeeeegh. Even at home, the Padres were too much for Kirby, who had the right idea with heaters up and sliders for strikes over the plate (well, the sliders were down the pipe, but whatever, they worked), but two poorly spotted heaters to Tatis and Machado each left the yard, tallying all five runs. Should have been a low slider or maybe not such a hittable fastball. I feel like that’s the general solution for Kirby’s struggles. We keep going but I feel y’all’s pain.
Adam Oller (MIA) @ PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
WELP. I watched this one, expecting poor command and pitches getting demolished and…huh. All three runs early were off grounders that hit infielders and a three-run shot on a painted inside fastball. It’s not the cataclysm I expected and I’m still encouraged he can come through against the Nationals. Yes, the four-seamer wasn’t dotted as we’ve seen before, but there is enough here to make that work. He’ll be in middle of Questionable, though. Not one I’m chasing, but considering.
Griffin Canning (LAA) @ MIN (L) – 5.2 IP, 9 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 105 pitches.
Oh boy. After a start with 18 whiffs, Canning’s stuff got obliterated. The changeup and heater took most of walloping and all we can do is wonder if it’s worth the gamble against the White Sox up next. I’m going to meekly say yes as he’d get them back-to-back to end the year. It’s the CrySox.
Game of the Day
Michael King vs. Bryan Woo – Yeah, this is gonna be lit.
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 Steven King/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X)