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.
Sean Burke (CHW) vs OAK (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
Remember Sean Burke? You know, the pitcher the White Sox hinted at getting opportunities in the rotation in 2023 before shoulder issues delayed him until last week for his MLB debut. He made his first start in the majors on Saturday and I was impressed with what I saw across his 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches Win against the Athletics. Yes, a Win! For a White Sox starter!
He has all the tools we generally want from a young arm – a 95+ mph four-seamer with great iVB (17″) and extension (seven feet!) + a pair of breaking balls to rely on, including a filthy 7/30 whiff slider and a near 60% strike rate curve – and given the volatility of command across most rookie SPs during their first few appearances, I’m willing to excuse some of the misses he had here.
In short, Burke is pretty solid. I’ll have my eye on him as a potential arm to crack the 2025 rotation for the White Sox if they are able to secure a more reliable offense, though his 2024 outlook isn’t ideal with a date against the Padres up next. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Burke sticks around to the end, allowing him to snag one of the final three games against the Tigers. Circle that one. I think Burke may be a sneaky arm for a desperate weekend stream down the stretch. It’s a strong heater with two breakers against a poor lineup.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
George Kirby (SEA) vs TEX (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 85 pitches.
Ha, we’ll take this all day, of course, as Kirby goes for a Minimalist Score. Thanks for the lovely game, Koufax, but I’ll give created to Kirby for living at the very top of the zone once again. I still think he needs to get that slider a bit further down to truly soar, though. Keep it going.
MacKenzie Gore (WSN) vs MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.
Another great start from Gore, this one at just 95 mph, though. The curve was the winner at 50% CSW, allowing him to do more than simply shove heaters over the plate and hope for the best. Blame it on the Marlins for this working out without a great fastball.
Ronel Blanco (HOU) @ LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
You love to see it. Standard Blanco affair without overwhelming strikeouts, but production through six with an easy Win. Awfully strange to see the changeup essentially gone from Blanco’s arsenal, but who cares if the curve is performing as well as it is (35% CSW across 26 thrown). He’ll get the Angels next if the Astros don’t plan on skipping him for another outing, and let’s all cross out fingers he gets the chance.
Keider Montero (DET) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 63 pitches.
A HAISTBMBWT?! but a shocking Win against the Orioles along the way. Koufax, you sly rascal. I would not dare risk this a second time against the Orioles.
Landen Roupp (SFG) vs SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 74 pitches.
Whoa, I almost gave Roupp the Gold Star for this one, who managed to find outs with the Brady Singer method, replacing the slider with a curve. This isn’t to be trusted, though he may face Singer later this week and that would be a sensible-chuckle of a Spider-Man pointing meme game.
Ben Lively (CLE) vs TBR (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 59 pitches.
Ayyyy, we’ll take it. What the h*ck, 59 pitches?! Yeah, I know. He got the quick hook after allowing two singles to kick off the sixth, but they didn’t score! Zero ER and a dub! BE HAPPY. It’s a coin flip for the Cardinals up next. I think that’s okay…? So boring.
David Peterson (NYM) @ PHI (ND) – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 99 pitches.
Incredible. Peterson was awfully mediocre in his last start and whipped up a Gallows Pole with better fastball command against the mighty Phils on a big Sunday for many fantasy leagues. I wonder how many matchups were determined by Peterson’s Win vaporizing in the hands of Edwin…mine included. I’m a lucky man. Not much of a choice but to start Peterson against the Phillies again later this week. He’s just been that good.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs NYM (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 87 pitches.
Great work Sánchez. Nothing new here, just the man getting outs instead of hits with sinkers and changeups. Love it.
Charlie Morton (ATL) vs LAD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
One of the more surprising outings as Morton’s four-seamer was able to survive over the plate + his curve landed down low often (or failed to find the backdoor strike against LHB) against a strong Dodgers team. That usually isn’t enough, but at least we have an easier decision with the Marlins up next. Can’t turn that down, right?
Walker Buehler (LAD) @ ATL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
Hmmmm, nope. I still don’t see a clear-cut pitcher wielding his stuff as he wants to, even if his cutter was effective. That said, it’s Rockie Road next and given he’s at 97 pitches, Buehler can do enough there to secure a Win at the very least. So fine, we’ll give it a spin.
Kyle Hendricks (CHC) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 85 pitches.
Uhhhh, here’s a Gold Star…? Yes, shocked at everything here, and no, I’m not ready to believe he can live gloveside and succeed against the Nationals. But it’s the Nationals! Look, you can do it. That’s your decision, I just spout my thoughts here and whatever. That seems far too risky to chase a peak that is unlikely to reappear.
Martín Pérez (SDP) @ SFG (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 69 pitches.
Pérez looked ready to soak up a Win and Quality start until a solo shot to lead off the sixth not only ruined the Win, but got him insta-pulled to give up the QS, too. So cruel. The changeup was looking lovely, though, and I’d target him for a stream against the White Sox if he’s still out there. He’s good enough to make it work and hopefully he has more of a lead to make it through six.
Yariel Rodríguez (TOR) vs STL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 62 pitches.
I guess that helped? Yay?
Carlos Rodón (NYY) vs BOS (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
Great work Rodón. It’s pretty great not only to see the changeup becoming a major addition, but for the heater to be sitting 96 mph this late into the year. Props for a redeeming second-half with a 3.26 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 30% strikeout rate across eleven starts. I’m proud of all the managers out there who rode on with Carlos.
Cade Povich (BAL) @ DET (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.
His only blemish was a two-run shot on a terrible heater to Greene as he otherwise cruised through five. Unfortunately, the Orioles didn’t have his back, failing to provide the run support needed to procure a Win, and I’d give this another spin for a repeat matchup later this week. He’s in a good place.
Miles Mikolas (STL) @ TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 72 pitches.
This was a desperate Sunday play and seeing Matz come in for two frames starting in the sixth was a bit deflating. He could have found that PQS at minimum, if not held on for a possible Win. Whatever, he’s awfully boring and mostly detrimental. Don’t risk this again.
Taj Bradley (TBR) @ CLE (L) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 99 pitches.
Zero longballs is a shock, but the volatility? Not at all. He pulled back on the cutter approach to nearly equally mix his splitter, four-seamer, and cutter, with curves eating into the latter for 4/9 strikes. Whoops. He’s a Cherry Bomb for strikeouts and it’s up to you if you want to risk it against the Jays. I’d prefer not to.
Jared Jones (PIT) vs KCR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 97 pitches.
Despite having a 151 Fan 4+, Jones returned 18 foul balls off his heater, extending at-bats long enough to make him needing 97 pitches to return just 12 outs. His curve didn’t have the same success as his last start, and the slider wasn’t enough of a devastator to keep the Royals from sitting fastball. Man, I can’t wait to draft Jared next year. His skills are just too good to fail. Narrator: He said, like an idiot.
David Festa (MIN) vs CIN (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 72 pitches.
Bleeeegh. He couldn’t execute properly and it fell apart in the fourth inning. The stuff is there and I’m awfully curious to see what we get in 2025 from Festa, but after this horrid two-step, he’s off to Fenway and that’s an easy pass. But maybe the Marlins after…
Cal Quantrill (COL) vs CHC (L) – 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 6 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 69 pitches.
Womp womp. Welcome back fella. Hope you’re feeling healthy.
Rhett Lowder (CIN) @ MIN (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 77 pitches.
He was making it work until the sixth (Careful, Icarus), when he was pulled after a double and walk, to which both runs scored, eliminating his Win chance. So close Lowder. I liked the slider a little more while watching this, with his sinker clearly giving some guys fits as they knocked them into infield gloves, though he lacks the punch of his contemporaries to be more than a streamer. Speaking of which, it’s the Pirates next and that’s alright. It’ll be in Cin City, sadly, so let’s put him at the top of Questionable and call it a day.
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs MIL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.
The curve was great and low, the change was sub 50% strikes (Oh.), and the four-seamer was good and bad? Some were well spotted, others not so much, but hey, a King Cole and seven strikeouts ain’t bad…right? I needed a Win, QS, and good ratios. Ah. Right. You’re talking about most of the things. Yeah. I feel for ya, I think you’re stuck going for it a second time against the Brewers. Good luck.
Adam Oller (MIA) @ WSN (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 75 pitches.
Welp, this two-start was close to what we wanted, but Adam came up just short in both outings. It was Oller nothing, and the culprit here was the lack of dominance inside the zone with both curve and heater. There’s a chance against Atlanta and Toronto up next, but the odds are lower now and not good enough to chase.
Andrew Heaney (TEX) @ SEA (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.
This hurt. Heaney “walked” his only batter on a two-out 3-2 slider in the zone, preceding a Garver three-run shot. He went BSB beautifully and I’d consider Heaney for another start against the Mariners, but they’ve been unsurprisingly good in September? Seeing the 55% strike rate on the changeup also isn’t the most encouraging mark, but I think he’s generally good for a stream on Sunday when he doesn’t get as unfortunate in the first frame.
JP Sears (OAK) @ CHW (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.
Blegh. A LHP with strikeout potential against the White Sox is a dream and…Sears. Buddy! Now you get the Yankees and we obviously avoid it, but maybe that final start in Seattle is worthwhile. MAYBE (I prefer Burke against the Tigers, if you believe it.).
Brady Singer (KCR) @ PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.
Ouch. The Cherry Bomb shows its true nature often when you don’t want it to. He’s at a 3.53 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s around a 3.70 ERA or worse by the end of it. He’s the same guy he’s always been.
Kutter Crawford (BOS) @ NYY (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 92 pitches.
Two HRs for three of his four ER seems about right for Crawford against the Yankees.
Caden Dana (LAA) vs HOU (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 68 pitches.
This was against the Astros. No surprise here at all for a guy that looks like a Toby at best.
DL Hall (MIL) @ ARI (ND) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.
I love that Hall is featuring seven feet of extension with the low HAVAA on the heater that we saw during his time as a reliever. I also dig that he’s generally solid at getting his curve, slider, and change down low. I hate that he had to deal with the Diamondbacks and was exploited on the four-seamers he poorly located in this one. It might sound wild, but I’ll be back in on Hall again next year. Uh oh. Remember, last rounds of the draft, y’all.
Game of the Day
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Max Fried – Awwwwww yeah. PabLó vs. Boyd is awfully fun, too.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)