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.
Kutter Crawford (BOS) vs MIN (W) – 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 101 pitches.
It’s been a long season of figuring out what to do with Kutter Crawford and when you needed him most, he came through and sealed a Win against the Twins: 7.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 101 pitches. We saw much more of his curve and splitter getting involved and living downstairs, while the kutter and sweeper stayed gloveside + heaters upstairs. Oh, so ideal pitch separation? Nailed it.
He gets the Rays next and that’s a clear start, even in Fenway. As for next year…I think I’m going to pass on Kutter. I want to believe he’s capable of consistency on five pitches, but what I worry about the sweeper’s effectiveness with his over-the-top delivery, making for another stressful season of confusion. Bailey Ober had an easier outline of how to take the next step, while Crawford doesn’t have the same elite elements of his arsenal, requiring peak performance from more facets of his approach. He may fall in drafts given the 4.17 ERA, and I also have many thoughts about why his 99th percentile iVB doesn’t correlate to overwhelming whiffs (10-11% SwStr is mid) – extension and HAVAA are involved, but there’s more – and we’ll get more into this in due time.
Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs WSN (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He really has come through with his prophetic IM AN AGA last name, though we could have used more than four strikeouts, you know. Will someone PLEASE think of our fantasy teams?!
Blake Snell (SFG) @ KCR (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. #HotSnellSummer is absolutely hilarious. 1.23 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 38% strikeout rate across 80.1 IP and 14 starts, with a 5-0 record. Unreal.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs MIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 95 pitches.
I had my concerns and a poor WHIP with four strikeouts doesn’t give us the fuzzies, but we’re awfully happy with this one. One more to go and it’s against the Rays. Let’s do this.
Paul Skenes (PIT) @ CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 73 pitches.
Aces gonna ace with a low Gallows Pole win. The community has it mostly split between Skenes and Skubal as the SP #1 for next year. Me? Uhhhhh, I kinda think it should be deGrom. Haven’t decided yet, but it’s a fun conversation that will become tiresome well before March. You’re not drafting any of them, are you. Nope.
Tyler Holton (DET) @ BAL (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 34 pitches.
We didn’t know what the Tigers were going to do and it wound up being Ty Madden on the bump, failing to last two more outs to secure a vultured Win. So it goes, let’s not touch Madden.
Ryan Burr (TOR) @ TBR (ND) – 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 28 pitches.
As expected, we saw ‘The Fratty Pirate” follow and while he didn’t snag a Win, 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks from Ryan Yarbrough without sacrificing a start (does that matter on Sunday?) is always appreciated. I don’t think we see it again and let’s move on.
Andre Pallante (STL) vs CLE (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 85 pitches.
Despite lower velocity (it’s possible the gun was cold), Pallante did his thing with cut-fastballs over the plate for seven strong frames. Kinda funny to see the reverse BSB in action – low-gloveisde quadrant with four-seamers + sliders upstairs. He’s a decent Quality Start play against the Giants, but I wouldn’t expect Koufax to be so generous again.
Shane Baz (TBR) vs TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
His velocity was down a touch on the heater and two to three ticks on everything else with his slider appearing just twice as he favored the changeup, but look at that line! The four-seamer is cooking and the slower curve did add a bit of break to it, but it’s still a bit…strange. A slower changeup to the heater is a good thing (no extra movement?!) and I’m awfully curious how his final start looks. I’d expect the Rays to give it to him given his missed time this year, tallying about 113 this year thus far. It’s in Fenway, but I’d slot him in anyway.
Sean Burke (CHW) @ SDP (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
SEAN. BURKE. Dude had a 50% CSW slider and split it with a hot/cold curve for 50% breakers, while a surprise changeup (4/10 strikes, blegh), and a DOPE 95/96 mph heater with 7.0 feet of extension (elite) and 18-19 inches of iVB (elite), which was gassed up to 97 mph to strikeout his last two batters. This man is a DUDE. I’m starting him against the Tigers. I’m also calling him the sneakiest of sleepers for 2025 already. And while I understand the suppressed Win chance + small sample + a bit of erratic heaters, I LOVE THIS.
Gavin Williams (CLE) @ STL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 86 pitches.
While he did increase his velocity across the start a touch, he was two ticks down overall (Maybe the readings in St. Louis were cold? Pallante was down 1-2 ticks too). I definitely dig the slider over the plate, though there were chaotic offerings in the bunch as well. There is needed refinement on consistency and, you know, that velocity drop, making me out for a potential start against the Astros to close the year. SQUAWK! Yeah, you’re right. Williams may not even make that start.
Antonio Senzatela (COL) @ LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 73 pitches.
Ha! It wouldn’t be a season with Senz-A if he didn’t defy the odds for a Gold Star at least once, right? WELCOME BACK YOU MENACE.
Zebby Matthews (MIN) @ BOS (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
He wasn’t efficient enough to go the full five frames, specifically with the 5/14 strike changeup (blegh) that forced him to go two-pitch with heaters and sliders. I still like Zebby inherently, but it’s a 2025 play, most likely after the draft in 12-teamers.
Tylor Megill (NYM) vs PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
This could have been a lot worse against the Phillies and I love seeing his heater at 96 mph with 11/46 whiffs. I’m glad his cutter and slider found the plate at times, but hot dang those breakers were bad. So many bounced curves and sliders. That’s the weakness with Megill as he needs more consistency supporting his strong fastball. He can be productive against the Brewers later this week and I think I’d lean into it. I wish I liked the secondaries a touch more.
Darren McCaughan (MIA) vs ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 67 pitches.
Of course McCaughan has a decent outing when we all needed Holmes to get an easy Win. THANKS. That changeup was pretty filthy, though. I enjoyed that.
Hunter Greene (CIN) vs PIT (L) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 45 pitches.
He pitched well! And just 45 pitches! Sure can’t depend on 70 next time, making five innings a tough challenge against the Cubs. You’re likely better off with a streamer, sadly.
Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ NYM (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. It’s kinda wild that this is Wheeler’s best season and he won’t win the Cy Young over Sale.
Seth Lugo (KCR) vs SFG (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.
Another solid outing from Lugo with nine different pitches catalogued by Savant and it’s nice to see the recovery after last week. I expect him to make his final start in prep for the playoffs (and securing it!) and let’s ride out this lovely year.
Yu Darvish (SDP) vs CHW (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 87 pitches.
Pretty interesting to see just 20 fastballs thrown by Darvish at 91-96 mph, making his slider, sweeper, and curve the main attractions. he took care of business while getting fully stretched out and I’m going to start him against the Arizona….I think. I understand the fear completely, but this is a legit version of Darvish that isn’t “Whatever, I’ll just throw this over the plate.” It would still work.
Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) vs LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 78 pitches.
A King Cole is lovely sight as The Pasta Pirate came through with expected dominance. I’m not sure he starts the final game of the year – if the Astros have clinched, they may elect to rest him or at least limit his outing. Not my favorite start to chase and it makes me begin to wonder where I should rank him next year. I think I’m in…?
Grant Holmes (ATL) @ MIA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 62 pitches.
Blegh. Just 62 pitches?! A pair of solo shots ended the start early while the heater, though the slider was absurd at 11/30 whiffs. He had six in him, y’all. I am a little worried he’ll be limited against the Royals this week, too, with Lugo on the other end. Ugh.
Jordan Montgomery (ARI) @ MIL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
You took The Bear out of hibernation for this? WHY?!
Bryan Woo (SEA) @ TEX (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.
He was cruising through five and suddenly allowed four in the sixth, eventually losing the Win despite a 5-0 lead. Careful, Icarus He’s still boasting an absurd pair of fastballs and I love the guy.
Andrew Heaney (TEX) vs SEA (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.
Heaney once again failed to find his changeup and failed against the Mariners. Fortuantely, it’s the Angels next and that makes for a larger margin of error. I think I’d circle that one, though he may be at the top of Questionable instead of a clear cut “Oh, that’s solid”. Heaney is simply too volatile.
Luis Gil (NYY) @ OAK (W) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.
He nearly went six full until a pair of singles knocked him out and of course both runs came around to score. This wasn’t peak Gil with his velocity at 95/96 (not 96/97) and leaning on his Dancing With The Disco approach to get to the finish line. The changeup? Not great with a sub 50% strike rate. I wonder if the Yankees will skip his final start of the year with the division all wrapped up, but if he does get the Pirates, I’d let him ride out there.
Albert Suárez (BAL) vs DET (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.
Blegh. A co-share of the Gallows Pole hints at a solid outing with 15 of those whiffs coming off the four-seamer (whoa) but a trio of solo shots messed him up. Interesting to note that all but one of those four runs came on non-fastballs he left over the plate. It makes me curious for next year if Suárez can fine-tune those secondaries just a touch.
Griffin Canning (LAA) @ HOU (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
Yuuuup. The Astros, y’all. He’s a strikeout dart throw against the Rangers and I wouldn’t do that.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs COL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 79 pitches.
BLEGH. This was the one start you were focused on for Yamamoto as you waited patiently for his return across the entire summer. Does this mean we’re benching him for Coors? No, I’m still doing it. YOU GOT THIS YOSHI. Your command can’t be this bad again, right?
Jake Irvin (WSN) @ CHC (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 83 pitches.
Womp womp. He had horrible four-seamer command and there’s yer problem. The Phils are next and while that fastball can return, it’s not the risk you want to take.
Joey Estes (OAK) vs NYY (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 85 pitches.
Estes against the Yankees. Yuuuuup, that’s an expected HAISTBMBWT?! with a side of pain. The best side dish in town. For your enemies. Is it served cold? ALWAYS.
Pablo López (MIN) @ BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 86 pitches.
Blegh. Casas hit two three-run home runs. That’s the ballgame and starts like these are a perfect showcase of how we simply don’t know what is going to happen in September.
Frankie Montas (MIL) vs ARI (ND) – 2.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 68 pitches.
Oh dear. The Sneks are not to be triffled with, y’all. The Mets? A bit better. I think you’re okay with that one despite your desire to rage drop after this one. Don’t blame Montas, he was set up to fail.
Game of the Day
Bryce Miller vs. Hunter Brown – Can Bryce perform on the road? What will Hunter do with his arsenal?
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)