Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Monday 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.
Kyle Wright (ATL) @ PHI (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 62 pitches.
…Then I don’t want to be Kyle Wright, who returned from a near season-long IL stint to go 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 62 pitches and confirmed the rule of Still ILL.
If you need a refresher, Wright’s arsenal is rooted in a legit curveball. He features sinkers with some high heaters, while hoping to develop a changeup and slider to earn strikes, but in the end, it’s all about his curveball’s success. Here, the hook landed far too comfortably in the zone while his slider was horrific and his fastballs found the upper third of the zone often – they aren’t good heaters, though, and can’t pull off the BSB nearly as well as his contemperaries.
Does this mean we’re out on Wright? Not entirely. The Phillies are an elite offense and with Wright up to 62 pitches, I can see him recovering against the Marlins or Nationals in his next two starts. Do I particularly want to chase it? Maybe – it is Atlanta, after all. There’s a decent Win chance still present and given that his curveball wasn’t erratic (just slightly too elevated), it seems like his next outing can take a proper step forward. After all, I’m sure he was a glass case of emotion after sitting on the IL for so long.
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs MIA (W) – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 106 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. There’s zero reason to bench Woody the rest of the way.
Alex Cobb (SF) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 79 pitches.
Hey, that’s great from Cobb. I didn’t expect a whole lot and, well, we didn’t get a whole lot. The splitter was far from excellent – 10% CSW, 2/39 whiffs – and he got awfully fortunate with BABIP to get through this. I’m still avoiding this one entirely with Coors + Dodgers + Padres on the docket to finish the season.
Mason Miller (OAK) @ HOU (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 45 pitches.
It was a clear bench given the expected short leash and tough opponent, and yet, Mason did well in his two frames. Just a 50% strike rate on sliders + cutters (some were horrifically bad) and a low 11% SwStr rate on his four-seamer, but the fella hit 101.4 mph. He gets the Padres next and that’s an avoid as he’ll likely go around 60 pitches, but then, ohhhhh then we’re in business. What about Ken Waldichuk? That fella? Oh right, what did he do…SIX NO-HIT INNINGS?! Ummmmm WHAT. His changeup and sweeper were absolutely killer (10/26 whiffs) and his four-seamer found outs. That’s another start where Waldichuk’s changeup came through and if it weren’t for the Padres next, I’d have a serious talk about this.
Jordan Wicks (CHC) @ COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 97 pitches.
Look at the Wicks on this candle continue to flicker. Sure, just two strikeouts and a whole lot of BABIP help, but the dude lived armside and down the entire game. Think Neckbeard half-way through getting a shave. It’s unreal command for a rookie and sign me up for his easy schedule the rest of the way.
Sonny Gray (MIN) vs TB (L) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.
Hmmmm. This was a start where Gray had to lean on his heater and cutter more than usual, and that’s not a trend you want to see. His sweeper returned just 2/17 CSW, the curve was featured just four times and I don’t even know this man anymore. THE SONNY HAS SET TOO SOON. Nah, we still start him, but figure this out bucko.
Patrick Corbin (WSH) @ PIT (W) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 98 pitches.
Every PC has its day. Corbin’s slider was dumb against the Pirates, as he returned 14 whiffs and stole the Gallows Pole for himself. It’s fun to see and a nice penultimate episode to the regular season. But he has three starts left. Yeah, and I ain’t trusting him in any of them, bracing myself for the battle that comes in the finale. Sorry Corbin, but I ain’t starting you against @ MIL, ATL, @ ATL. Nope.
José Quintana (NYM) vs ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.
That’s some good ole streamin’. He’ll host the Reds next time out and we’re back to the well there, though it may be the last time with 2x starts against the Phillies closing out his season. His command here was generally good, missing some polish he normally has as many pitches fell a bit too far out of the zone. If it doesn’t return against the Reds, then we pass against Philly.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs LAA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.
It’s not as incredible as we wanted against the weak Angels crew, but we’ll take it. It’s good to see 14 whiffs between sliders and four-seamers, but is it enough to endure LAD + @TEX + TEX across his final three starts? I don’t think I want to be a part of it, personally. Maybe at least one of the Rangers starts go his way, but hot dang, it feels like now is the time to search for a better option. I’m sorry Logan, we’ll hang out a ton next year. I promise.
Reid Detmers (LAA) @ SEA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 108 pitches.
Sooooo Detmers has found a new toy. He was fastball + slider + curve for most of the season, but tossed 27 changeups in this one for 74% strikes and it set up high heaters effectively. Huh. I wonder if he can keep that slowball, get his fastball back to 95+ (not the 93.7 mph here), find the release point for his slider again, and do better than 20% CSW on his curveball. That’s a whole lot to ask. Yeah, and it’s possible for a starter entering his second full year in 2024. LET ME HOPE. I don’t think the changeup ball is enough for me to start him against Rays + Rangers in his final two starts. Well, maybe against the Rays now…nah. I can’t.
Framber Valdez (HOU) vs OAK (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 96 pitches.
Ahhhh, there’s the hook! Valdez tossed 28 curveballs for eight whiffs and a 43% CSW, catalyzing this Golden Goal while his cutter was filthy at 4/11 whiffs of its one. Why just eleven? I DON’T KNOW. At least the schedule is wonderful and Valdez has the yacker back(er).
Gavin Williams (CLE) @ SF (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 93 pitches.
A VPQS with two strikeouts against the Giants ain’t it, Gavin. IT AIN’T IT. He lived around the edges, which I actually don’t want from the fella. Don’t be East-West, pound the upper third with red and land curves and sliders down. Okay fine, the changeup can come too, just get all of those in the lower third and under, not clawing the outside and inside edges. Now with the Rangers + Orioles up next, it’s a tough call. In your 12-teamers, you may be better off dropping Williams for something else that helps in the short term.
Kyle Freeland (COL) vs CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
If you’re not in a QS league, you got nothing. But maybe you, quiet reader, started Freeland and loved the PQS. There are what, three of you?
Dane Dunning (TEX) @ TOR (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 102 pitches.
Ayyyy, the slider and cutter came back! They went 10/44 whiffs between them, helping Dunning turn this into a VPQS and a Dusty Donut on a night I expected absolutely nothing. It may be enough to consider him against the Guardians now – Dunning is highly dependent on the slider and cutter.
Zach Davies (ARI) @ NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 78 pitches.
Yuuuuup. Don’t get trapped into Davies’ locker. You’re missing Jones. Well, yeah. Who doesn’t miss Adam?
Tyler Glasnow (TB) @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.
Aces gonna allow two home runs and ruin an otherwise fantastic outing. He gets tough matchups the rest of the way and if you think you should bench him for a second, then I don’t understand how you’re competitive in September. Start the dang man.
Charlie Morton (ATL) @ PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 104 pitches.
Ah, there’s the Cherry Bomb we know and awkwardly shuffle around at parties. I just don’t know what to say to him. I know, it’s weird. You’re gonna keep starting him for those strikeouts and his Win potential (he had this one if not for a two-run, two-out HR in the ninth to tie it).
Michael Lorenzen (PHI) vs ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.
It’s Atlanta and the Vargas Rule ended a long time ago for Lorenzen…and yet he got a Win because baseball can be oh-so dumb. I still don’t think his stuff is good and he has to face Atlanta a second time now. Don’t do this to yourself.
Andre Jackson (PIT) vs WSH (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 63 pitches.
Andre’s changeup is usually the ticket and tonight it was the stub. I won’t rule out a rebound against the lowly Yankee offense, but that’s just for NL-Only leagues.
Taijuan Walker (PHI) vs ATL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 103 pitches.
It’s Atlanta and it’s the laboring Taijuan. I implore you to reconsider. But I wa—I IMPLORE.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs TEX (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 101 pitches.
Blegh. Bassitt rewarded us with our trust in the past, but sometimes, baseball doesn’t care about loyalty. Welp, I ain’t inviting baseball to my annual screening of The Room, now. Don’t do anything rash here and start Bassitt through the end.
Dean Kremer (BAL) vs STL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.
Womp womp. When Kremer’s cutter is bad, it all falls apart. It’s not a typical thing and I’d expect it to return against the Rays up next.
Jesús Luzardo (MIA) @ MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
Luzardo nooooooo. You were able to avoid the Phils and you spat a gift horse in the leg with this performance. That’s not a phrase. YOU’RE NOT A PHRASE. He tossed far too many pitches in the middle-low part of the zone that got hammered and now I’m all sad with Atlanta up next. That screams avoid, obviously.
Gavin Stone (LAD) vs SD (ND) – 5.1 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 65 pitches.
Despite a 40% CSW changeup with 7/20 whiffs, Stone just doesn’t have enough to make this an interesting play. I always knew I enjoyed skipping Stones.
Dakota Hudson (STL) @ BAL (L) – 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
Sometimes you’re not North or South. Sometimes you’re just Directionless Dakota.
Pedro Avila (SD) @ LAD (ND) – 2.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 76 pitches.
Alright, did he display the skills that would make us consider him against weak opponents? Well, it was 93 mph sinkers and four-seamers, with his curve and changeup returning 3/21 whiffs and a 19% CSW. Annnnnd? Oh. That’s an obvious no. Awwwww.
Game of the Day
Max Fried vs. Zack Wheeler – DUUUUUUUDE.
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 David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)