Whammy Davis Jr.

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.  

Davis Martin (CWS) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 85 pitches.

Sure, I could focus on a bigger name tonight, but it’s September and you’re trying to find that sneaky start to push you over the edge. You look at tonight’s box scores and suddenly you see Davis Martin?! 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 85 pitches?!?! The kid got the start with Johnny Cueto getting scratched due to illness and he obviously took advantage of the opportunity. You have to know – is this something I should be chasing?

As is usually the answer for a guy having an exceptional start against the Tigers, no. Blame it on the Tigers n all. Davis comes equipped with a 94/95 mph heater, a decent hook that shows promise at times and a standard slide piece, but nothing legit plus here.

However, Michael Kopech was just placed on the IL, opening the door for Martin to start in another five days against…oh dear. The Tigers. I know. Personally, I think this was a Birthday Party as Martin usually isn’t this sharp, nor do I adore his repertoire, which means he’s a trap play against Detroit next weekend. At the very least, he’s shown the ability to go six frames now and sometimes that’s a ceiling you’re looking to chase, even with his horrific floor.

Avoid in 12-teamers, consider in AL-Only. Because kids, we don’t trust people with two first names. 

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:

 

Dakota Hudson (STL) vs CIN (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 102 pitches.

Ayyyyyy it worked! Hudson got a start in this doubleheader and likely not another moving forward, but it’s good to see he’s still capable of going 6+ against poor offenses. Thanks bucko, now back to the wire for you – even if he gets another start, it would be against the Dodgers.

José Quintana (STL) vs CIN (ND) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 104 pitches.

Yesssssss. That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do, Quintana. His command was as wonderful as you’ll ever see it and it makes starting him against the Dodgers next a little bit tempting. That’ll be a Questionable Start for me, your choice there.

Shohei Ohtani (LAA) vs SEA (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 107 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Nearly 50% sliders again and I don’t think enough people realize how it’s one of the best pitches in baseball. Sigh. He’s unreal.

Joe Musgrove (SD) @ ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 95 pitches.

Phew. Stop scaring us, Musgrove. Keep pitching like this, featuring a 40% CSW on 54 cutters and sliders. That’s the Musgrove we know and love.

Chris Bassitt (NYM) vs PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 94 pitches.

That’s better. Pretty cool to see five whiffs on curveballs for a change. We should be past all his recent struggles now – he looked legit here.

Brady Singer (KC) @ BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.

19 sinker called strikes, but just three total whiffs on the day. He is the CSW darling and while I still see him as a Cherry Bomb, it’s hard not to lean toward start the rest of the way. I just wish his slider was better than a 10% CSW, you know?

Hunter Greene (CIN) @ STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 11 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 81 pitches.

Hey, Hunter is back! And he sat 101 mph. No wonder he earned a Golden Goal, but let’s be real – it’s not just the velocity, it’s the super high zone rate on his four-seamer and slider that was the real story. As long as Greene doesn’t waste a ton of pitches and can execute relatively frequently, he has a good chance at success. Did I expect it today? Absolutely not, coming off the IL + facing the Cardinals. Am I starting him moving forward? How could I not?

Konnor Pilkington (CLE) vs MIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 81 pitches.

Oh hey, it’s a good start from Pilkington, who came through with a lovely changeup in his MLB debut and went just 50% strikes on the pitch here. Nay, the real winner was eight whiffs on his four-seamer, while mixing in the slow ball and curve decently well. Nothing to get too excited about, though, and I’d still keep him on the wire.

Shawn Armstrong (TB) vs TEX (ND) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 22 pitches.

He opened for 3.0 innings of Ryan Yarbrough and your fantasy team deserves better than that. But I’m The Fratty Pirate! Get out of here, Steve Ryan. And take the keg.

John Brebbia (SF) vs LAD (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 8% CSW, 12 pitches.

He opened for Sean Hjelle, who lasted just one frame but tossed 50 pitches and allowed 6 ER. Yeah. Let’s move on.

Shane Bieber (CLE) vs MIN (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Another game where the slider was pretty mediocre and the cutter stepped up. Curious to see it and glad he has options to ensure he still thrives.

Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs NYY (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 101 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. This brings his ERA down to 3.26 for the year with a near 30% strikeout rate and 1.10 WHIP. Sure, it’ll like be around 150 innings (not 180+) by the end of the year, but hats off to Woody for ending the season on a high note despite a ton of adversity this year. The heater is back.

Hayden Wesneski (CHC) vs COL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.

The dude keeps on rolling (Thanks Rockie Road!), taking full advantage of the Cubs pushing back Miley and getting a proper start. He’s lined up for the Pirates next and you can absolutely expect him to be on my short list of streaming options with that slider earning a 48% CSW in this one. I’m kinda leaning Probable Start at this point, if you can believe it.

José Ureña (COL) @ CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 100 pitches.

It was a date outside of Coors against a terrible team – the rare chance for this to actually work for Ureña. And hey! That’s a lovely ERA. And terrible WHIP. And no Win. And just four strikeouts. Sometimes in life, we gotta appreciate the little things, y’all, like Ureña being a good ERA play for a day.

Julio Urías (LAD) @ SF (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. That curve is still vicious, the Dodgers still face weak opponents, and Urías is still a phenomenal fantasy starter.

Jake Odorizzi (ATL) vs PHI (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.

The line turned out okay (one out short!), though he wasn’t commanding his heaters and cutters incredibly well. I’m not sure I’d spin this wheel a second time against the Phils next week, but certainly against the Nats and Marlins after.

Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) vs CWS (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.

Oh dang, Erod actually showed up. His changeup finally earned whiffs (5/19 works for me) and his four-seamer was back to its supreme CSW ways with a 42% mark. I’m not sure I dig 41% sinkers, though, and the cutter…it was spotted well glove-side but I still don’t love the thing. It’s the most encouraging outing from Erod since his return from the IL, but I’m still holding him back in my 12-teamers. This isn’t the redemption start.

José Berríos (TOR) vs BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.

Ehhhh okay. I really hate that WHIP and just three strikeouts, but accept the Dusty Donut and how Berríos hasn’t ruined everything. Yay. I guess we’re rolling the die another time against the Rays next…?

George Kirby (SEA) @ LAA (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 84 pitches.

His heater is still excellent, sadly I’m not seeing enough development in the secondaries that would make me too excited for 2023 at the moment. Obviously keep starting him the rest of the way, though. But Nick, I thought we didn’t trust people with two first names. Doesn’t count, Kirby is like Madonna. Kirby Puckett….? QUIET YOU.

Zac Gallen (ARI) vs SD (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 105 pitches.

Aces gonna get a little burnt out but still generally help. That’s a long AGA. Look, he didn’t have his best stuff and he grinded for nearly six frames to allow just 2 ER. We’re all still Gallen Gals and thankful. Keep starting him.

Jon Gray (TEX) @ TB (L) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 67 pitches.

Let the man pitch! At least we saw nearly 70 pitches this time out and he’s good to go next time against the Guardians. Get pumped.

Trevor Rogers (MIA) @ WSH (ND) – 1.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 32 pitches.

Rogers was pulled in the first with a lat injury and everything is sadness. WHY MUST THE BASEBALL GODS DO THIS?!

Kyle Bradish (BAL) @ TOR (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 80 pitches.

Womp womp. I mean, it’s the Jays and Bradish has one good (not elite) pitch in his slider. There was a chance he could squeeze one out, but he’s not (b)rad. He’s (b)rad…ish.

Erick Fedde (WSH) vs MIA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 87 pitches.

Sooooo my whole Don’t Trust The Feddes thing normally comes with the caveat “except for facing teams that rhyme with Darlins”. And hey! The Marlins fit that description! It didn’t work here, I won’t rule out that it could work in a repeat matchup next week. Do I start him in 12-teamers? Absolutely not. Just for you NL-Only folk.

Aaron Nola (PHI) @ ATL (L) – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 99 pitches.

A pair of rough innings did Nola in, but at least he still went seven frames and gave you eight strikeouts. You can’t stop starting him.

Cole Irvin (OAK) @ HOU (W) – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 73 pitches.

HAISTBMBWT?! The legend of Irvin is a tale lost among the bards of summer. Let it lie there for another start against the Mets.

Bryse Wilson (PIT) @ NYM (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 88 pitches.

The man is as cold as Bryse. This may be your worst one yet. Are you talking to me or Wilson? Either way, absolutely not.

Louie Varland (MIN) @ CLE (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.

Welp, I’m happy we got another look at him, and I was awfully hesitant entering this one – we didn’t know what to expect and I hate going into starts mostly blind. There’s upside here as I expressed last time he started, though it’s still rough around the edges. Monitor him for 2023 or maaaaybe if he gets another shot or two in the rotation. Who knows, the kid tossed 91 pitches, after all.

Jameson Taillon (NYY) @ MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.

Blegh. You’re not a Toby if you’re not mediocre a fair amount of the time. Thing is, now’s the tough part. After a start like this, do you hold onto him through the Red Sox and Jays? I don’t think I would. Fire up the streamers!

Rich Hill (BOS) vs KC (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 81 pitches.

Womp womp. He’s a Cherry Bomb at best as seeing a poor outing against the Royals is sure to dissuade managers from taking the plunge moving forward. Nothing’s new here, it’s the same ole Rich.

Josh Winder (MIN) @ CLE (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 82 pitches.

What a grueling day for the Twins and Guardians, playing two today and a 15-inning affair in game two (the longest of any MLB game in 2022), only to play a day game tomorrow. Wow. Annnnyway, we saw more Winder today and it only affirmed our hesitation. There’s an off-chance he comes through once before the end, but stay away until 2023 in the heavy majority of cases.

Mike Minor (CIN) @ STL (L) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 89 pitches.

I don’t see a single reason to start Minor. Cincy, I’m talking to you, too.

José Urquidy (HOU) vs OAK (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.

Urquidy struggled last time out against the Angels and repeated the same disappointment here against the Athletics…showcasing nearly the same approach as before. It’s not common to see a pitcher feature a near identical array of pitches after underperforming, but here we are. I really believed last start was a fluke, but this seems to prove me wrong and it makes me hesitant to trust him against the Orioles next time out – the Athletics scored in four of his first five innings, you know. Explore your options.

 

Game of the Day

 

Johan Oviedo vs. Jacob deGrom – Yeah yeah yeah, you’re here for deGrom, but watch Oviedo stun everyone by embracing the deGrom curse.

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 Tina Covelli (@Visual_Endgame on Twitter)