Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Monday 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.
Justin Verlander (HOU) @ SEA (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.
I’ve been vocal about the decline of Justin Verlander this season, though I want to applaud him for tonight’s 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches Win against the Mariners. We’ve been seeing many stalwarts of the season flounder in the final weeks when you need it most, and to watch Verlander as he soars past 150 frames look like his vintage self was pure bliss.
He landed his curve and slider in the zone effortlessly, setting up plenty of fastballs upstairs that catalyzed most of his strikeouts. He was efficient, and he put not just your fantasy team, but the slumping Astros on his back to get a much-needed Win. Do I question whether his stuff will be able to miss enough bats next year? Absolutely. Will I elect to chase younger arms in drafts? Sure. Do I love watching this future Hall of Famer dominate a lineup at the end of September when his team needs it the most at 40 years old? Hot dang, yes I do.
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Blake Snell (SD) @ SF (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 100 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I think the Pads will let him have more to seal the Cy Young for good and I couldn’t be more thrilled for him. That’s another Golden Goal in his name with another showcase of dominance with a ton of curveballs in the zone for strikes + changeups going 48% CSW. He deserves it.
Patrick Sandoval (LAA) vs TEX (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 65 pitches.
I’m sad to say the Irish Panda left this one early with right oblique tightness, which likely ends his season. Absolutely sad when he sat two ticks harder on everything. Seriously, the fella was pumping CHED at 95+, even hitting 97 mph. Like he suddenly said “You know what, let me just go all out and see what happens.” You get hurt, I guess. Baseball just isn’t fair.
Logan Webb (SF) vs SD (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 110 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! Webb did this throwing just 21% fastballs, featuring his slider 22% of the time and throwing 63 changeups that resulted in 20 balls in play. Absurd. I wonder if the Giants will let him throw one more – he’s nearing 200 frames now and there isn’t much reason for him to overextend, especially after tossing 110 pitches here. Let him soar off into the sunset with this one.
Jon Gray (TEX) @ LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 81 pitches.
Gray gets the Gold Star of the night, despite leaving this one early with right wrist tightness – a horrible sight for Rangers fans who are now down to The Bear, an injured Nathan Eovaldi, a bulk-innings in relief Andrew Heaney, and good ole Dane Dunning for their rotation. On top of that, it was the dream from Gray tonight. We’re talking four-seamers located right at the top of the zone and sliders spotted down-and-gloveside. I imagine we won’t see him on Sunday after this, but if we did, I’d consider starting him. But you just said you were terrified! I DIDN’T EXPECT HIM TO SUDDENLY BE AMAZING AGAIN. I don’t know why I’m yelling, I’m sorry. That’s on me.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.
Kelly didn’t have his best command here, tossing far too many pitches down the heart of the plate paired with a horrible 42% changeup strike rate…and it worked. Oh pinstripes, you aren’t what you used to be. One more for Kelly against the Astros as the Sneks need every win they can get.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) vs ARI (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 79 pitches.
Blegh. Sure, his sinker was down nearly two ticks and he was hit on the elbow in the second, but why couldn’t they leave him in for one more inning? His cutter had a 40% CSW and sweeper had a 64% strike rate, he had it y’all. He’ll get the Royals on Saturday and given the early hook here, I imagine he’ll be on a limited pitch count there, too. Not fun.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 92 pitches.
Aces gonna allow a pair of solo shots and run into trouble in the third. It’s all kinds of frustrating as he earned changeup and slider strikes and had a 52% CSW on his four-seamer. Sometimes you play the game, and sometimes the game plays you. Why are you still living on my couch. Because you’re my best friiiieeennnd. FINE. One more week.
Game of the Day
Cristian Javier vs. George Kirby – This series is legit, y’all + maybe we see Javier be his best self for the second straight start.
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 Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)