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.
Andre Pallante (STL) vs PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 100 pitches.
After two mediocre outings against the Brewers and Reds, starting Andre Pallante to kick off your fantasy playoffs was a risky proposition. However, if you had the brass to let the young cut-fastball hurler take the pearl against the Pirates, you were heavily rewarded with a sparkling line of 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 100 pitches. Suddenly, your plan shifts. Pallante was supposed to be a simple add-and-drop, but now that he was so good, is he worth holding for his next outing against the Guardians?
Don’t get cute. Stick to the plan. The Guardians resist strikeouts and this was a clear Blame it on the Pirates with Cruz out of the lineup. I’m thrilled value was found on the wire and Pallante isn’t a budding stud to fill your future self with regret. Celebrate the evening and go grab whatever else you need to help you hoist the trophy in October.
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Yu Darvish (SDP) vs HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 79 pitches.
I didn’t want to chase this start. Why? Darvish tossed fewer than 70 pitches in his last start, wasn’t fully locked in, and now faced the Astros. I am thrilled to be wrong. Now he’s set to face the CrySox and we’re starting that one all day, even if they did mess up Detmers…
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) @ ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 72 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I wish he was able to go just one more frame for the Win, but that’s on him for not being more efficient. I still wish he threw more high heaters but alas, we have to deal with 1/31 whiffs. WHATEVER. He’ll be on a five-days-rest schedule the rest of the way, which means he’ll get Rockie Road on Sunday and that should be glorious.
Jake Irvin (WSN) @ NYM (ND) – 7.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.
I was at this one and couldn’t believe how Irvin just kept pumping heaters without fear. It wasn’t until studying it later that I could tell his four-seamer precision was legit, opened up by sinkers armside and the curve hanging around at times. He also had that dawg in him and I’m kinda tempted to start him against the Cubs. He’s feeling the heaters far better right now, even if the curve isn’t the pitch of old. He’s a QS play if you need it.
Sean Manaea (NYM) vs WSN (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 85 pitches.
Don’t question the Baby Girrafe, just start the dang man. He’s locked it upstairs with everything ever since he lowered his arm angle.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 83 pitches.
Ayyyy it worked! Coors isn’t a fun place to pitch, but Kelly was showing signs of growth with his command in prior starts and he had his feel for another outing. The pen didn’t secure the Win, but this should make you more encouraged for the Brewers up next. I still don’t love it, but it could be another night of a solid QS and Win chance without the horrid floor of younger arms.
Paul Skenes (PIT) @ STL (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 102 pitches.
Aces gonna ace and get outdueled by Andre Fallacy over here. He’s not a fallacy. Fine, you know how hard it is to rhyme with Agassi?! Anyway, I’m a bit shocked he’s still allowed to go six frames and extend to 102 pitches at this point of the year, and fingers crossed he gets two more full starts before the end of the year.
Aaron Civale (MIL) vs PHI (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 90 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! That’s a Gold Star for Civale against the strong Phillies crew and it’s great to see him lean 46% of the time into his cutter – his best pitch. Yes, it was well over the plate, but little damage was done and a 41% CSW is great to see. And guess what? He combined it with 20% curves for roughly two-thirds cutters + curves. THE DREAM HAS RETURNED. Bad news, though – he gets the Diamondbacks next. I really don’t think I can do that. Look, I’m happy about this, but not that happy and there’s too much risk. This was a still just five frames and a 1.60 WHIP after all.
Pablo López (MIN) @ CLE (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. The man got Singled Out in this one and I kept shaking my head as Koufax laughed from above. He deserved a Win, y’all.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs OAK (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 11 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 99 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for an easy Golden Goal. The prophecy of IM AN AGA continues to unfold in front of our eyes. If it weren’t for an absurd NL Rookie class, he’d be running away with the NL Rookie of the Year.
Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) @ SDP (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 102 pitches.
Hey, he survived! Sure, a 1.80 WHIP and a Loss ain’t it, but your ERA is intact and now he gets the Angels to complete the two-step. We ride on.
Antonio Senzatela (COL) vs ARI (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 67 pitches.
Senz-A. You’ve returned. I’m happy for you and best of luck returning starts that force me to throw my hands up in the air in confusion. I’ve missed you. Every hero needs a villain. Which are you? Great question.
Matthew Boyd (CLE) vs MIN (ND) – 2.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 64 pitches.
Oh dear. Boyd’s command completely left him and this one was far worse than any other start we’ve seen from him thus far. A start with just 2/5 strikes on the slider (yes, five thrown) tells you everything. It was an off day and I think you’re still starting him against the Cardinals, but as always, explore your options.
Max Fried (ATL) vs LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. A PQS for Fried against the Dodgers with a sub 1.00 WHIP and seven strikeouts works, and I was happy to see the changeup returned for 10/14 strikes and acted as a stalwart offering to rely upon to both LHB and RHB. It’s about time.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) @ MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 104 pitches.
He’s still right around 90 mph (not 91/92) but the command was better this time around, with great pitch separation of cutters + four-seamers up-and-gloveisde + curves, sinkers, and changeups down-and-gloveside. I feel a little better about his next start against the Mets now.
Jonathan Cannon (CHW) @ LAA (W) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 100 pitches.
Cannon, you had it. Six innings of two runs, then a leadoff HBP + a walk with two outs got you pulled…where the pen allowed both to score. Of course. Fun to see at least three whiffs on all five pitches, even if you pounded the zone far more than usual and had a bit of Blame it on the Angels. The Padres are next, so let’s forget this.
Seth Lugo (KCR) vs DET (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
What. You just went through the gauntlet and as you stood with pride, sun beating down in glory, a random tomato flew through the air, emphatically bursting on your face. Looks like the Tigers are the team of destiny, y’all. Where have I heard that before…Don’t be silly and start him against the Giants.
Reese Olson (DET) @ KCR (ND) – 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 50 pitches.
I’m stoked he’s back. He’s also on a short leash and hung a break upstairs that was demolished for a four-run home run (is there a name for that?) off the bat of Bobby Witt Jr. The good news? Olson is getting the Orioles next and you don’t need to question if that’s worth your time. Drop him and see how that goes, allowing you to make a clear decision for the White Sox after. All we want is at least 65 pitches there to justify 75+ in his final outing. And who knows, maybe Detroit is still in the playoff hunt by then and they need Olson up to 80 pitches that weekend.
Joey Estes (OAK) @ CHC (L) – 1.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 56 pitches.
Ouch. The Cubs are not to be trifled with, even if they are highly unlikely to overtake the third Wild Card spot. Estes also didn’t have his best and that second frame did not go his way in the slightest. He’s a clear pass the rest of the way, save for those desperate to find a pitcher allowed to go six frames.
Reid Detmers (LAA) vs CHW (L) – 5.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 100 pitches.
Ugggggggh. This was supposed to be THE start. He allowed back-to-back jacks in the first for a trio of runs, then a weird second frame that I still think should have been three unearned runs…but a third solo shot for good measure in the fourth was yet another eye roll. Yes, he goes back to the wire. Sure, he did settle in for the most part, but still, you can’t trust it. He’s a desperate strikeout play against the Astros over the weekend on Sunday if you must.
Game of the Day
Luis Gil vs. Bryan Woo – In Seattle = a great time for both pitchers, though the Mariners have been a little hotter and Woo gets the Yankees…
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 Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@bearydoesgfx on X)