Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Wednesday 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.
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) vs SFG (ND) – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches.
It’s been all kinds of chaos from Brandon Pfaadt this season. From my sudden interest at the beginning of the year, to losing a strong attack to LHB and his recent cataclysmic starts, Pfaadt added another wrinkle to the tapestry of 2025 with a CGSHO against the Giants on Wednesday: 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches (ND). The man tossed a Maddux, y’all. A MADDUX!
I dig that he’s going four-seamer/change to LHB and sinker/breakers to RHB these days. It makes sense as long as he can command his arsenal well enough, though he clearly had plenty of good fortune with Koufax overlooking his evening – just one hit (and an error) on twenty balls in play is miraculous. I’m not saying he pitched terribly, but he didn’t pitch nearly as well enough to demand that kind of return.
The real problem here is the schedule. Pfaadt is slated to get the Dodgers next and if he were to get the pearl on the final day of the season, it’s a Hail Mary play against the Padres. I’m not interested in either, though I understand desperately chasing Pfaadt for Game 162 given the long leash and chance to roll through six. I’m not ready to buy into this approach as a sustainable plateau to routinely generate these results, let alone one that transforms him into “The New Pfaadt”. We’ve seen him shift around his approach constantly this season and it could be as simple as what he was feeling on this day. Approach this with skepticism.
Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:
Ian Seymour (TBR) vs TOR (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 100 pitches.
Oh wow, this went so much better than expected. Seymour had no fear tossing his 91 mph, 6.1ft extension, 0.8 HAVAA, 17-18″ vert fastball, returning a whopping 90% strike rate on 31 thrown (28/31!) without allowing a hit. Incredible. Yeah, I can’t even say it was luck as just four balls were hit into play. Foul balls galore, instead. He mingled the heater with his changeup and cutter incessantly, which masked the heater and created just enough hesitation to take down the Jays. Pretty dang incredible. But yes, thanks Koufax for helping with every other pitch type across this one. He’s on the menu for a stream against the Orioles on Tuesday, and he may get the final start of the season for the Rays in Toronto. I wouldn’t push my luck there.
Blake Snell (LAD) vs PHI (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 112 pitches.
HOT. SNELL. SUMMER. I love that he forced Roberts to keep him in and get the final out of the seventh. His pitch separation was glorious to RHB (Snell with the BSB always makes me smile) and it’s a well-earned Gallows Pole. Thanks for the help so late in the season.
Justin Verlander (SFG) @ ARI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 107 pitches.
The mad man! He was able to sit heaters up to LHB with sliders performing well to both LHB and RHB – even the sweeper away had a low strike rate but set up the curve and slider well. He’s fortunate to have STL and Rockie Road ahead in Oracle Park and I’m down for both. Ride it out.
Gavin Williams (CLE) @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 100 pitches.
Absolutely incredible. He’s gone through so many iterations, turmoil, velocity, etc. and we got a new one here: Breakers for strikes leading the way. His curve was a pest to LHB merged with sweepers over the plate and both fastballs above, while the sweeper did great work for 5/12 whiffs to RHB. And the cutter? Uhhhh, non-existent? WHAT. I know, I know, but he didn’t have a sinker at the start of the year! And his extension isn’t elite, making the cutter less effective. It makes sense, don’t worry. It’s hard to hold back Gavin against DET and TEX the rest of the way.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) @ TBR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.
He’s redeemed his season in the past month and now has just one more expected start left against the Red Sox, prepping him for the playoffs. I’m so sorry I doubted you in the first half.
Tyler Wells (BAL) @ CHW (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.
Look at that, another quiet and solid QS for Wells. We have one more start left against the Rays and sure, why not go for one more? The command is good enough, after all.
Brady Singer (CIN) @ STL (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 97 pitches.
It’s so nice not pitching in GABP, eh? It’s back to the old ways of sinkers for called strikes and sliders for whiffs and I’m down for a start hosting the Pirates next. Maybe not the Brewers on the final day of the year (does he make that start?), but then again, the Brewers could be resting their lineup plenty that day.
Jack Flaherty (DET) vs CLE (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
As expected, Flaherty saw nearly exclusive LHB and the fella battled. He didn’t give in with his curve and four-seamer, forcing batters to deal with the slider or chase the hook, and he grinded it out across five frames with sub 50% strikes on both the heater and yacker. Way to get there on a questionable day, Flaherty. We can do it a second time in Cleveland, right? The curve should be spotted a little better.
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs LAA (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 69 pitches.
Hot dang, Woody went hard on the cutter at 45% usage, and the Angels couldn’t touch it. We’re talking 81% strikes with the 88/89 mph pitch with a 26% SwStr rate, that set up five strikeouts on the four-seamer above it with 6/16 whiffs. Yeah, that’s a dope King Cole and the fact he went just five frames and under 70 pitches for nine strikeouts is kinda bonkers.
Cristian Javier (HOU) vs TEX (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.
Oh hey, look at that! I’m thrilled Javier was able to give us the good stuff against the Rangers, though I wish that sweeper was wrangled a bit better than 28% strikes. It wasn’t the prettiest time with his curve, though the heater landed high per usual, and the changeup filled the zone effectively to LHB. Sinkers were mixed over the plate to RHB and despite getting walloped once, I’m cool with it. There’s chaos in here still and it’s making me avoid Sacré Verde up next, though he could get the final start of the year against the Angels in a tune-up as the possible SP #3 for the Astros. That could work.
Brad Lord (WSN) vs ATL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 102 pitches.
Well, look at that. A Gold Star for Brad with four-seamers and sinkers getting the job done. The slider was a bit unruly and the changeup stepped up to LHB for some big outs, while the sinker got hit hard and Lord is pretty fortunate to have just 2 ER to his name. This isn’t a sustainable arm to chase and I’d avoid a repeat matchup next week.
Mason Barnett (ATH) @ BOS (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 90 pitches.
Hey Dad, will Barnett ever be of fantasy relevance? He may, son. Yes, I know he’s Mason, will he be any good? … probably not. Womp womp.
Cole Ragans (KCR) vs SEA (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 62 pitches.
PEW PEW PEW. The first inning was possibly the greatest first inning I’ve ever seen. Eleven pitches, ten fastballs, nine whiffs, three strikeouts. HE’S BACK… well, for one inning. The velocity dropped from 97 mph in the first to 94/95 mph the rest of the way, and he didn’t have his changeup working like the old days. At least he’s spotting the heater beautifully in the upper half and has that velocity in the tank. Oh, and sporting two inches of unexpected vert on his four-seamer. That’s hot.
Hurston Waldrep (ATL) @ WSN (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 83 pitches.
The splitter was better, but not the answer – 55% strikes with three hits and four strikeouts left a lot of wiggle room – and the cutter + curve did a whole bunch to save the outing, which was pristine until three runs came through in the fifth. Guess we’re doing it against the Nationals…
Bryce Miller (SEA) @ KCR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.
Blegh. Ignore it. He has Rockie Road next. The fact that the splitter is returning strikes and that he’s locating four-seamers upstairs should mark better times ahead, too.
Nick Pivetta (SDP) @ NYM (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 84 pitches.
Pivetta. You’re trying hard to sabotage the wonderful season you’ve had and I WON’T LET IT HAPPEN. Start him against the Brewers and Sneks (he may sit for the final start).
McCade Brown (COL) vs MIA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 75 pitches.
Brown has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter.
Ryan Weathers (MIA) @ COL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.
Womp womp. On the plus side, he’s now at 80 pitches. Sadly, the changeup wasn’t there and his heaters were often down the pipe. Not the most encouraging game before @PHI and NYM… I’d sit those out and consider him for next year.
Martín Pérez (CHW) vs BAL (L) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 75 pitches.
Blegh. Nope, that ain’t it and now it’s the Yankees. I wonder where we’ll see him next season, if anywhere.
José Soriano (LAA) @ MIL (L) – 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 25 pitches.
Oh jeez. He wasn’t pitching well in the first place, but added injury to insult by a comebacker, causing a forearm contusion. He’s the same HIPSTER as he was before the start, making him questionable for KCR and HOU.
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) @ LAD (L) – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 106 pitches.
So, uh, why did the Phillies keep Luzardo in for the 8th to face Ohtani? Because it’s a lefty-on-lefty matchup! Suuuuuuure, but that just doesn’t seem right. Ohtani smacked a solo shot and then left the game, ruining the lovely QS you thought you had locked up. Welp, now it’s the Marlins and we’ll chat about Luzardo in a few weeks. The quick take: I’m out in 15-teamers, fine as one of the last guys in 12-teamers. The injury history + volatility ain’t for me.
Andre Pallante (STL) vs CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.
Yeah, that’s Pallante, alright. He thought the Reds Carpet was the Hotel lobby’s mats for the rain.
Johan Oviedo (PIT) vs CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 99 pitches.
Oviedo got bamboozled in the first with a pair of HRs, then settled in to go four shutout. The command is still the element holding back the elite extension + flat attack-angle 96 mph heater, while his whiff-heavy slider of yesteryear isn’t missing the same number of bats. Probably since he’s not locating it low at all. Yeah, probably. He’s a darkhorse sleeper for next year if you want to buy into his command improving and I’m okay with a start in Cincy to end the season.
Luis Gil (NYY) @ MIN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 85 pitches.
This one hurts. Gil wasn’t able to locate effectively, while the Twins jumped on a ton of his heaters. The changeup and slider were both floated and it’s all kinds of frustrating. The stuff is there. The control is kinda there (64% overall strike rate is good enough!). The ability to work an at-bat? Missing like a pokemon number. That has been enough previously, however, and I think it’s okay chasing Gil for the White Sox and Orioles to finish the year, as long as you understand the risk.
Lucas Giolito (BOS) vs ATH (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
Well that’s unfortunate. He was run out of town in a laborious fifth frame with a trio of runs and he had a difficult time landing his heater and slider when he needed them. At least the changeup is looking good…? Not now Nick. Yeah, sorry about that. There’s a chance he recovers in Toronto (he’s done well there already this year, but there are likely better options.
Matthew Boyd (CHC) @ PIT (ND) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches.
Boyd, please. I know it was a three-run shot in the first frame n all, but 83 pitches for just three frames ain’t your world. The four-seamer wasn’t able to end at-bats effectively and felt like it had to do it all on its own with the changeup, breakers, and sinkers failing to obey. Sure feels like a bench against the Mets. It’s been a great season, Matthew. We thank you. I should commend Aaron Civale for following Boyd and returning three shutout frames to vulture a Win, but then again, he’s not fantasy relevant. Kinda fun to see the Pitcher List 2019 approved Boyd + Civale combo, eh?
Jacob deGrom (TEX) @ HOU (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.
Say what now. deGrom’s slider failed to induce swings we normally see (55% strike rate, 28% O-Swing), while the four-seamer was more in the zone than it should and the Astros swatted a pair of HRs off it. I’ve been thrilled to see that deGrom is still pitching this late in the year, but it should would be nice for you to actually want him to still be in your lineups. Are you sayi– No, start him. Of course.
David Peterson (NYM) vs SDP (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 85 pitches.
There’s nothing to gain here. But at least one strikeout! One? HAISTBMBWT?! You really can’t start him against the Cubs. If he gets one more, then the Marlins are a decent start, but you simply can’t trust him right now.
Taj Bradley (MIN) vs NYY (L) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 89 pitches.
FWIW, the four-seamer was actually spotted consistently upstairs to LHB and worked decently well with the cutter, but it was everything else that was standard Bradley chaos. He’s an absolute dart throw in Texas next week if you have nothing to lose. The floor is bubbling lava.
Game of the Day
Max Fried vs. Cade Povich – It’s Fried and the guy who has been comped to Fried. Get ready for the Spider-Man memes.
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/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
