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.
Caden Dana (LAA) @ COL (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.
There was some hoopla surrounding Caden Dana when he debuted in 2024, but injuries derailed his 2025 and we haven’t had a good look at the youngin’ this season. However, he gave us a great performance in the unlikely park we call Coors on Sunday: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches (L). With just one more weekend left of baseball, should we be adding Dana to our streaming menu?
I can see it working against the Astros, though I wouldn’t circle it. Dana’s 95 mph four-seamer leaves a lot to be desired and he wrestled with its locations all game, returning a horrific 24% NC Rate in this one, while also guilty for the sole HR allowed on the day. His slider is the only reason I’d consider Dana against the Astros. There is potential for whiffs with the two-plane slider at 86 mph, which could take advantage of the RHB-lineup Houston is sure to send to the plate. There’s also a good 79 mph curveball that can mess up batters as well, making for a potential 6+ strikeout game if Dana can avoid damage off the four-seamer.
It’s a risky play and not one I’d jump through hurdles to chase. However, don’t overlook the long leash that can be so hard to find across the final weekend. That could ultimately be the reason you take the chance. Good luck.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) vs SFG (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 84 pitches.
Among all the haze, all the Dodgeritis, all the insecurity of Sheehan’s place inside the rotation for months, it sure is lovely to see him take full advantage of this start against the Giants right on schedule. This Golden Goal was sponsored by 10/40 four-seamer whiffs (yes, all in the upper half, save for one down-and-gloveside), with sliders landing enough in the down-and-away quadrant to RHB for a 41% CSW + the kick-change returned nearly 70% strikes. I’m not sure I give that changeup enough love with its 15″+ drop relative to the four-seamer. That’s some legit drop and could turn into a major weapon in 2026 if he can consistently keep it down (could be good for RHB, too!). He’s set up to get one more start @TEA, and I love that matchup for him, especially if the Mariners are resting for the playoffs and if there is any importance remaining for the Dodgers. However, pay attention to their plans for the postseason – Sheehan has an argument to start instead of Ohtani as their #4, which may pull him early from this outing or not make the start at all. In addition, he could start a day early on Saturday while the Dodgers rest Tyler Glasnow and go with a random arm instead for Sunday. Something to consider.
Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) vs PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches.
Despite the changeup returning just 48% strikes, Erod forced his way though this with sinkers, four-seamers, curveballs, and rare cutters to scrounge together six shutout frames. Shoutout to Koufax, you’re wild for this one. There is a breed of pitcher with these long leashes that always have a chance of production without massive ceilings, who you can’t trust regularly. I may take a moment to nail down these terms for next season. It’s the Padres next and treat that the same as this one. You see how he could come through, but the floor is low.
Spencer Strider (ATL) @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
The slider was off its game and his velocity was at a poor 94.7 mph, but his vert was over 17″ (whoa! We’ve seen sub 16″ most of the time) with a flatter attack angle of 1.4 HAVAA, though we didn’t see a massive SwStr rate as a result. That was the curveball’s 29% SwStr with 5/17 whiffs + 47% CSW that made a huge difference, and I’m curious if he’ll continue to lean into it for the Pirates up next. Regardless, that’s a start you’ll be making, even without the pizzaz of old Strider.
Michael King (SDP) @ CHW (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 70 pitches.
Wow, King was saved. He tossed five shutout with a 1.00 WHIP, allowed the first three batters to reach in the sixth, was pulled with the bases juiced, and none scored. FOR THE KING! We didn’t see a single whiff on the sweeper, but it wasn’t for lack of ability as it went 54% called strikes on the game. His changeup performed well, too, boasting a 33% CSW and 75% strike rate, and it looked like he was set for one of his classic seven inning outings until trouble hit in the sixth with two flare hits + a four-pitch walk that had him out in ten pitches. The four-seamer and sinker had been great leading up to that inning (save for losing a few batters for walks prior) and I’m still very much down for the Sneks over the weekend. He’s in a good place.
Andrew Abbott (CIN) vs CHC (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 86 pitches.
The changeup was doing what he wanted it to do, while the four-seamer wasn’t quite as successful as we normally see, nor the pair of breakers to this RHB-focused crew. It’s a Dusty Donut of a start (you couldn’t get us one more out?!) and I’d start him for the Brewers in his final game. Yes, we want more confidence in Abbott right now, I get it. He’s fine.
Mike Burrows (PIT) vs ATH (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 74 pitches.
We were worried about both the quality and the leash and while we kinda got the quality (1.25 WHIP and three Ks are meh), we didn’t get the volume. I’m not too impressed with the arsenal, still, though the changeup/four-seamer command is fun to watch against RHB. I don’t see why you’d go after this against Atlanta on Sunday.
Eury Pérez (MIA) @ TEX (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 88 pitches.
It was another day of inefficiency due to foul balls off the four-seamer (16/45!) and out of curiosity I looked up Pérez’s four-seamer foul-ball rate and…yep. 100th percentile at 29% for the season (average is around 21/22%). Why is that? Batters sit on Pérez’s heater and he doesn’t locate it beautifully around the edges. However, instead of generating balls in play, it’s an elite heater, which reduces its damage and limits the contact. It makes me stupid excited for 2026 as I’d wager Pérez finds extra help in his arsenal as he develops over the off-season and into 2026. For now, the Mets are a tough draw and I’d play that one cautiously. He has the stuff, but will he execute well enough?
Jameson Taillon (CHC) @ CIN (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.
He did exactly what you wanted. Sadly, the Cubs offense did not. Dems the breaks. He’ll get the Cardinals on Sunday in all likelihood as the #4 SP for the Cubs and 123.1 frames on the year isn’t enough for me to think they’ll rest him.
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs NYY (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
I was scared of this start and Bradish made me look silly in the best way. The Yankees sent a whole bunch of LHB his way, and Bradish countered with a fantastic BSB approach of high four-seamers & sinkers + low sliders and curveballs. Both breakers returned four whiffs each across the forty-two combined to LHB, and just two hits allowed from the heaters is a fantastic day. The return on the curveball is the biggest story here, while the fastball command is everything you could dream of. Sooooo, can he do it again? Oh, right. He’ll get the Yankees on Sunday in the final Baltimore game of the year. I hope so? It really was the ideal Bradish start and you should expect a step back (probably with the curveball, specifically), but it does seem worthwhile. At the very least, I’ll be in on Bradish for 2026.
Trevor McDonald (SFG) @ LAD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 89 pitches.
Oh wow. I kinda dig McDonald. Say wat. The dude is sinker/curve (it’s actually a sweeper with a little more drop than usual, and not a proper “curve”, but that’s what Savant says) where he was able to get some ridiculous swings off the plate to LHB on the sinker away that I rarely see, while dotting the curve down-and-in under the nitro zone effectively. To RHB, he prefers to go back-door with the sinker with the rare inside jam pitch, and paired with the breaker away, he’s a standard sinker/breaker arm. Huh. Watching him, the sinker looked lively than 15-16″ of horizontal break based on the swings, and suddenly I’m incredibly down for a start against Rockie Road. That curveball should eat up their RHB lineup in Oracle Park. Wow. There’s your sneaky streamer the final week of the year.
Kyle Freeland (COL) vs LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.
He did it again. WHAT A DUDE. Here’s a Gold Star for your troubles. I can see the rare few, reading this article with glee after taking the chance, based on his two great strikeout games in the past month. He’s reduced his fastball to just 20% usage, which is a smart thing to do when you have a horrific fastball. It’s all cutters, curves, and sweepers and huge props to him. Sometimes you just need to vent out your frustration to allow the good to return.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) @ HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I’m curious if he makes his Saturday start, though he missed enough time this year that he’s likely not in as much need as others for a pit stop. Fun to see so many splitters to RHB here with success – 65% strikes, zero hits, 6/23 whiffs.
Cam Schlittler (NYY) @ BAL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
I’ve been a little annoyed with Cam and his lack of consistency on his cutter, but the four-seamer and curve are controlled well, and the sinker is helping to RHB. The last piece is that cutter avoiding the heart of the plate and finding the edges regularly. That’s when he truly takes off. Yes, I’d be a little worried about injury for 2026 given his velocity and workload this year, though a 160+ IP season would be Top 30 SP easily in my book. For now, the Yankees could start him over the weekend if those games matter for their playoff standing, however it wouldn’t shock me if we saw The Fratty Pirate or others take the pearl instead. He needs some rest before the playoffs.
Matthew Liberatore (STL) vs MIL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.
Ayyyy, great stuff Liberatore! The changeup was over the plate and didn’t get punished, the curve was consistently back-foot to RHB, and look at this! 94.7 mph velocity! Love to see that. Unfortunately, he’ll get the Cubs over the weekend and that’s not one to chase. He may end up being a low-end Holly next year, though, if the defense holds up (Arenado…?) in that solid pitchers’ park. Something to consider.
Joey Cantillo (CLE) @ MIN (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 75 pitches.
I’m not sure why he elected to pull back on the changeup to make it his least thrown pitch (I’m aware of the LHB/RHB split, but just one change to LHB is too low!), but Cantillo was saved like King, walking away with the bases juiced and all three runners left stranded. He was cruising otherwise and will get the Rangers over the weekend in Cleveland. I’m down for that.
Joe Boyle (TBR) vs BOS (ND) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 93 pitches.
Oh wow, nine strikeouts?! Look at those strike rates! 68% on the four-seamer, 68% on the slider, 63% on the splinker… That’s fun stuff. Now, it was good control, not necessarily good command, with many batters lost (all four walks on the slider, by the way), and awfully few splitters and sliders actually under the zone. He’s still the PEAS of old without anything to truly lean on here, making me super hesitant to chase in Toronto for the final game of the year. Up to you if you’re desperate for a strikeout game, even if replicating nine punchouts is an unrealistic expectation.
Jake Irvin (WSN) @ NYM (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.
Of course he did well against the Mets. It’s poetic. That’s Baseball, Suzyn. No, there wasn’t anything massively different here, just life.
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
Sure, it’s a decent set of ratios for three frames, but boy is it meh after the last two games. You can likely guess why. The splitter? LOOK AT YOU! It went 0/27 whiffs with a 44% strike rate. The volatility always appears at some point, I was hoping it would take a little longer to arrive. Now with the Phillies next, I’m very much out.
Sean Burke (CHW) vs SDP (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 63 pitches.
Not terible, but without the skills we’ve been looking for. He’s nearly 96 mph on his four-seamer! Yes! That’s good! And he had intent to elevate. Sadly, the rest of his offerings aren’t doing enough for batters to stop hunting the fastball – the curve went 7/17 called strikes as batters just let it exist and rarely chased it (and when they did, they returned two hits on six swings), while the change and slider was nothing you want. There’s a shot Burke can come through against the Nationals, though I wish it were a RHB lineup instead.
Connelly Early (BOS) @ TBR (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 67 pitches.
Awwwwww, dangit. The command was far worse in this one and I’m blaming the stadium for messing up the rookie. This was a scatterplot of pitches around the zone and Early couldn’t find his groove at all. I wouldn’t weigh this one more than the previous pair of starts and I’m going for it against the Tigers in Fenway.
Robert Gasser (MIL) @ STL (L) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 45 pitches.
He’s here! And it wasn’t what I wanted to see. Oh. The four-seamer wasn’t impressive enough to make me love the foundation, and we only saw three changeups (but 25% usage to RHB), which all landed middle or armside, not gloveside. Ignore this until 2026.
Casey Mize (DET) vs ATL (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches.
Mize’s heater was down two ticks from last time and failed to land upstairs, while missing the plate when needed (all three walks off the heater), and, once again, the slider was rough. The splitter was great to LHB, though, so at last he has that going for him. He heads to Fenway for his final outing and I’m not going after it. It could work out for him, but the floor is too low without hope for a high ceiling.
Merrill Kelly (TEX) vs MIA (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 73 pitches.
Really, Kelly? Against the Marlins?! He’s been such a rock for squads all season and now that he’s taken two-straight losses, he doesn’t seem so automatic for the Guardians in the final weekend. But that’s silly. Two starts, y’all. Two! Koufax wasn’t on his side and he didn’t pitch as poorly as it looks, especially with the changeup that unfairly allow four hits on four balls in play without a hard hit ball. That’s Baseball, Suzyn. Start him.
Sean Manaea (NYM) vs WSN (L) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 50 pitches.
Bleeeeegh. Manaea wasn’t the one to target here, but even still, I had hope for five frames given the LHB he’d face. Welp, now we wonder if it’ll be Manaea or The Adobe starting next time out against the Marlins and it’s pretty obvious that the follower is the only one to consider. After all, Clay Holmes returned 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 57 pitches (ND) in his role as follower and could do so again when facing the Marlins. Pay attention to the Mets’ news and go with the one not starting the outing.
Trey Yesavage (TOR) @ KCR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 76 pitches.
Here’s the thing. I led with Yesavage after his debut and despite all my caution about splitter-focused arms, the addition of a strong slider made me all good with Yesavage in Kauffman. And guess what? The splitter and slider were great! High CSW, 6/24 splitter whiffs, good strike rates, etc. What I didn’t expect was a 36% strike rate on the four-seamer. Yeah. Thirty-six percent. There’s yer problem. Can’t say I expect that to continue being an issue for Yesavage and I’d start him against the Rays in Toronto over the weekend.
Michael Wacha (KCR) vs TOR (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 89 pitches.
Wacha is a Toby and faced a strong lineup. This wasn’t the time to start him and neither is his next start in Sacré Verde. And to be fair, he even located cutters and changeups well to LHB, but it didn’t work out. His opponent matters plenty.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) @ ARI (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 79 pitches.
Whoa, this hurt a lot of teams. The problem here was the changeup that floated over the plate or missed poorly, making the sinker more hittable than usual, crumbling his foundation. Not great timing, at all, and it may be his final start of the season if the Phillies elect to give him a breather before the playoffs – Suárez’s last start would be on the final day of the season. No idea if he’ll make that one as of now, and even if he does, it may be a limited one. Still, I’d start him is he gets the pearl on Sunday, even if it’s just four frames.
Mitch Spence (ATH) @ PIT (L) – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 64 pitches.
Spence got a start! Oh, right, he’s at 91 mph on the cutter and not the cutter/slider guy that looked like a discount Rasmussen back in the day. I mean, the guy just returned a HAISTBMBWT?! against the Pirates. Yeesh.
Jason Alexander (HOU) vs SEA (L) – 1.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 37 pitches.
Alexander, you’ve been The Great as a Toby in the second half, even with some surprises against legit offenses. However, after the early hook against the Rangers earlier in the week, it was clear that you couldn’t be trusted against the Mariners. At least, I hope that’s what all of y’all were thinking. All of that said, do not rule out Alexander for his final outing against the Angels. I’m not telling you circle it, but that squad is mentally defeated and can produce a Win at a crucial time for Alexander, or even AJ Blubaugh, who pitched well across the three frames and 34 pitches of relief a few inning after Alexander’s early removal.
Game of the Day
MacKenzie Gore vs. Chris Sale – Just three games today, why not watch two fun southpaws duke it out?
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 John Cordes/Icon Sportswire | Design by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky) | AI-assisted elements
