Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday 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.
Ryan Weathers (MIA) @ MIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 82 pitches.
Remember Ryan Weathers? He was an intriguing arm of the spring and after plenty of time on the IL across the summer, he’s past his Still ILL outing and returned a Win against the Twins on Tuesday evening: 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 82 pitches. Keep in mind, Weathers is in play for a Sunday start and unlike many, he’s likely to make that one given his low volume this year.
The line suggests Weathers should be on your radar for his final outing on a day where five innings becomes a glint of gold in the Yukon river. The skills? Not so much. The four-seamers 95/96 mph velocity was the best thing it had going for it with horrible iVB and extension, while it was tugged armside far too often. However, Koufax came to the rescue and returned a ton of pop-ups on very hittable heaters, possibly when batters were keyed in on changeups or sweepers instead.
Those secondaries weren’t all too impressive, either. There were a handful of well executed slowballs and breakers that made us lean forward in our seat, but the consistency is not there. He’s far from a complete pitcher.
The end of the year is filled with a ton of confusion and dart throws. I’m not ruling out an outing of improved precision with similar love from Koufax against the Jays on Sunday, making him a considerable option if you need volume. However, I don’t see Weathers as that guy for 2025 quite yet with his poor fastball shape and unimpressive secondaries.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Tarik Skubal (DET) vs TBR (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 103 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. You obviously earn a Cy Young. If the Tigers are out of the playoff hunt, you may see Tarik actually make that final outing as a “I earned this Cy Young” start. If they are locked into the playoffs, he’ll be sat to rest for Game 1. And of course, if they need the Win, he’s going out there. In short, I expect to see him start.
Jack Kochanowicz (LAA) @ CHW (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 82 pitches.
The Jack of One Trade does it again. I don’t think we appreciate enough what Kochanowicz does – the dude throws 73% sinkers and it works. He generally sits away to both LHB/RHB with some jammed offerings against RHB and generates outs. He’ll get one more against the Rangers and I say, what the h*ck y’all. LET IT RIDE.
Logan Webb (SFG) @ ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.
Awfully boring, but we’ll take boring with a Win. Still way down on changeups as his fourth most featured pitch, if you can believe it, with the cutter showing up for 21% usage and working. This is likely it for a tumultuous year for Webb, who still made it over 200 frames and 172 strikeouts with a 3.47 ERA and… 1.23 WHIP. That dang hit per nine, y’all.
Jonathan Cannon (CHW) vs LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 78 pitches.
Yessssss. We got the best version of Cannon at two ticks down off the sinker. He could be the guy on Sunday for the White Sox, too, and there’s a part of me that feels he’ll dig deep and give another start like this to defiantly protect the White Sox name. WE ARE NOT THAT BAD! They could rest Cannon after tossing roughly 120 innings this year, but if he does get that start against the Tigers and you need something off the wire, Cannon could be that dude.
Cole Ragans (KCR) @ WSN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.
Despite sitting just 93 mph, he located his heaters well while the changeup continues to cruise. He’s still lacking consistency on his trio of breakers, sadly, and I think I’m out on 2025…? NO YOU DIDN’T. It depends on where he’s being drafted, alright? The man had 223 strikeouts this year and is not the same arm I was so enamored by in September last season – lower velocity, worse secondaries – and just endured a massive workload increase. Wouldn’t you be scared too?
Michael King (SDP) @ LAD (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Even against the Dodgers, the King wears his crown.
Mitchell Parker (WSN) vs KCR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.
That’s a solid Toby performance from Parker, who hasn’t been reliable in the second half. Speaking of which, all three of his pitches were heavily erratic at times, too, and if he were getting another start, I’d have passed on it. He ends the year with a pedestrian 4.29 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, though I can see those numbers improving in his second year if he refines the feel for all four pitches (no sliders here, oddly enough). An interesting late 15-teamer arm.
Bowden Francis (TOR) vs BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 71 pitches.
Sure, why not. Just let it ride into the sunset for us to overdraft next year. The four-seamer was well spotted on the edges + the secondaries did a decent enough job filling in underneath. I’m still in disbelief of Francis’ success with his mediocre fastball, but there it is. I can’t wait to roll my eyes incessantly over the off-season as people ask me if he’s worth a Top 150 overall pick.
Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) vs NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.
Yessss. Thank you for everything you’ve done Mr. Crescendo and we need just one more from you to close out the year – either on Sunday against the Royals or Monday as a make-up game for Wed/Thurs potential rainouts. Hold onto him, I expect him to go one more (unless the Mets or Sneks collapse before then).
Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 88 pitches.
The final start of the season was bliss for Bibee, returning a King Cole and production across the board. A 3.47 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP, and 187 strikeouts with 12 Wins is a fantastic season for the sophomore, who I heavily doubted throughout the year. I still get weirded out watching him, but the slider and changeup were there while the four-seamer is avoiding damage. Maybe it’s a tunneling situation where the high arm-slot makes it incredibly difficult to discern between his heater, breakers, and change? At any rate, I’ll have my ranking of Bibee and push him a little further up as I’m obviously missing something. Let’s hope the shoulder heals in the off-season + he doesn’t get overworked in the playoffs.
Dean Kremer (BAL) @ NYY (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
This was four-seamers + sinkers getting away inside the zone, while the cutter was horrendous and the splitter was given cleanup duty as it earned outs over the plate. I’m happy for the guy and question if he’ll actually start on Sunday – the Orioles are likely to make him the #3 starter, so why not give him rest before his next Friday start?
Ryan Feltner (COL) vs STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 85 pitches.
Feltner with another Gold Star. Congrats bucko, you’re still not joining my fantasy teams.
Ryan Pepiot (TBR) @ DET (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 86 pitches.
Two super close calls for walks on 3-2 pitches in the fifth led to both runs scoring. Yes, that’s two walks and eight strikeouts with zero earned runs otherwise. JUST SAYING. His heater is still elite and I like that he’s leaning into his changeup and cutter and slider. Not because they are better, but because he needs to improve them for next year. Put in the work now so there’s more consistency across the arsenal in 2025. He’s legit. As far as Sunday goes, I hope the Rays let him start, but I get the sense they’ll hold back given their sub 40-pitch count two starts ago.
Tobias Myers (MIL) @ PIT (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 49 pitches.
The Brewers are in the playoffs and wanted to rest Myers as he’s now over 130 innings in his rookie year. Womp womp. I’m struggling with ranking Myers for 2025 and we’ll talk about it next week.
Justin Steele (CHC) @ PHI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 62 pitches.
Annnnd just four innings. Not to say he was pitching at his best – down a tick on the heater – but his command was good enough to go another frame or two if not for his strict 62 pitch limit. That’s it for Steele’s season and as long as he’s healthy entering camp next year, I can see him as a great draft-day…discount. But who knows, I’m terrible at guessing ADP before the off-season.
Brayan Bello (BOS) @ TOR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 75 pitches.
The Red Sox limited Bello after inefficiently pitching through four frames and that could be the last we see of him this year. I want to believe he can be that rock for a full season, but the volatility of his arsenal haunted me all season. I’m not sure I’ll be able to make an easy decision on him next year.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) @ OAK (ND) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
A Gallows Pole from Eovaldi isn’t your standard night at the park, but the splitter was COOKING (You see that Gausman?!). He’s also at 95 (not 94) and I wonder if he makes that Sunday start against the Angels. He has earned a player option for 2025 at $20M or he can hit FA. Either way, why push it, right?
Framber Valdez (HOU) vs SEA (W) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 90 pitches.
Aces gonna serve a Philly in a near VVPQS…but he got the Win y’all. Ahhh, classic Valdez. Couldn’t make it all the way to the end with a 60% strike rate curve, could ya? That’s it for Valdez, who saved his season in the second half and will continue to be a massive shrug for me in drafts.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) vs BAL (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 100 pitches.
It’s pretty awesome seeing Schmidt become so confident with his cutter – the pitch he needed to find as a weapon against LHB. The problem? His curve has fallen by the wayside in the process, while he’s struggling to spot sinkers. And yet, he still returned a 1.00 WHIP with a near PQS and seven strikeouts. It’s possible he tosses about 80 pitches on Sunday as a final tune up for the playoffs as the Yankees’ #3 starter (Cortes out, Stroman was the backup, and Gil is fatigued). He missed enough time this year that I think it’s warranted.
Michael McGreevy (STL) @ COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
Okay, I definitely have McGreevy ranked too low for Sunday and I have to correct that. It’s not because I think he’s all that great, it’s that he has a long enough leash to go at least five frames while featuring decent enough command to steal a Win when you need it most on Sunday. I’m not circling him as a major target, just as another dart throw among the masses.
Mitch Spence (OAK) vs TEX (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 92 pitches.
Blegh. This wasn’t the best precision we’ve seen from Spence and it burned him. I expect him to make the Sunday start against the Mariners, though, and if Seattle isn’t in the hunt anymore, he could be a strong league-winner on the final day.
Carson Spiers (CIN) @ CLE (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 69 pitches.
He got the start instead of Junis and it went as we expected. You may see Spiers in relief of Greene on Sunday for a potential vulture Win, and I suggest monitoring that in roto leagues.
Tanner Banks (PHI) vs CHC (L) – 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 20 pitches.
We did see both Taijuan Walker and Kolby Allard (Dralla!) after all, who were both as disastrous as expected. They may be used in tandem again on Sunday to give Aaron Nola some rest before Game 2 of the ALDS, giving Allard the nod to get the potential vultured Win as I’d expect Walker to start in that case.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) @ HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna earn a co-share of the Gallows Pole with a Dusty Donut due to a trio of homeruns. Sigh. Why is always the longball? 46% sliders as he went Dancing With The Disco and nothing else did a whole lot to help, save for some curveballs and 17% four-seamers. Yes, seventeen percent. And it had SUPER HIGH STUFF. I’m not sure I like this version of Gilbert and we won’t see him again until next year. I think I’m in given how good the slider is + the four-seamer’s general strength with still another level yet to be unlocked.
Bailey Falter (PIT) vs MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.
Blegh. He was a tick up to 93 mph and his traditional heater/slider approach was present, though the heater wasn’t as upstairs as usual. I wonder if the Rays will trade for him…Stop trying to make that happen, Nick. IT’S HIS DESTINY!
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs MIA (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 89 pitches.
Bleeeegh. This was a nightmarish second frame with a solo shot, a HBP, doink, and two poor pitches to score three more. That’s a 3.94 ERA from Ober with the chance of eclipsing 4.00 on Sunday if the Twins are fighting for a playoff spot. Yes I’m starting him there against the Orioles if he’s going – he is so much better than that ERA will tell you. He literally has the 2nd best PLV among all starting pitchers, y’all. It’s how he has a 1.00 WHIP and 187 strikeouts this year.
Luis Severino (NYM) @ ATL (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 89 pitches.
Yikes. Severino had stepped up for fantasy managers in the second half but left far too many pitches over the plate here to return just an 18% CSW. I’m not sure how it’ll shake up with the likely rainouts of Wednesday and Thursday but expect at least one more from Severino the rest of the way – either on Sunday against the Brewers or during a potential make-up game on Monday. I think you gotta let him fly in both.
Landon Knack (LAD) vs SDP (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 77 pitches.
Womp womp. The Padres are legit, y’all. I still dig the heater and slider and against a weaker team, this could have worked. So who is it next? He’s slated to get Coors on Sunday. UGH. See ya next year, Knack.
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) vs SFG (L) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 62 pitches.
After pitching at this season’s peak, Pfaadt tumbled against the Giants. His velocity was up over a tick, but boy did he struggle locating. The absolute opposite of his last game, yeeeeeesh. I wonder if they roll with him over ERod for Sunday if the Sneks are in the playoff hunt still, but if it’s sealed up, that’s it for his year. I don’t think you’d want to start Pfaadt against the Padres, anyway.
Game of the Day
George Kirby vs. Yusei Kikuchi – This is a legit duel and I love it.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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