Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Friday 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.
Aaron Nola (PHI) vs MIN (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 90 pitches.
I want to take a moment to thank Aaron Nola for once again getting me excited to live every day like it’s Nola day. It’s been a rough season for the Nola faithful with an ankle injury carving months from his 2025 campaign, and the few outings we’ve had since his return have granted more anxiety than thrills. Fortunately, he granted us all the best emotion when hosting the Twins on Friday via 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 90 pitches (W). Part of me is surprised he didn’t get the green light to finish the h*ckin’ thing on his own in the ninth.
It’s great to see him clearly ready for the 2025 postseason and I wonder what the Playoff tax will be as more managers witness his current ability during the playoffs. I’m sure many were already ready to hand-wave a “lost” season for Nola with a (dare I say it?) 6.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, but this start should drive the point home. His changeup was excellent to both LHB and RHB, the four-seamer + sinker were finding the edges of the zone with ease, and it was a vintage moment for his curveball, returning a 50% CSW across 27% usage. That’s the Nola we know and love.
Get ready for a redemption season in 2026. The velocity is just fine at 92/93 mph and the stuff is still very much there. This may be a rare moment where his Playoff Tax will be justified.
Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:
Colin Rea (CHC) vs STL (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 77 pitches.
Awwwww yis. Thanks for all your service as a streamer this year, Rea. I know it’s stough filling the shoes of Justin Steele and you far exceeded expectations. So you’re drafting him next year? Oh, absolutely not. Streamer y’all. STREAM. ER.
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) @ SEA (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 22 pitches.
Wait, one inning? ONE INNING?! Dodgers, this was simply cruel. The man had a 140 Fan4+ in just one inning of work (second on the night, behind Leiter’s 149 mark, lol), with a 19″ vert heater, 1.7 HAVAA, 96 mph velocity and intent to elevate for 4/13 whiffs. Oh, and 3/7 slider whiffs. He had one fewer whiff than Nola in 68 fewer pitches. Sigh. But fine, bullpen game it up. WHATEVER.
Zack Littell (CIN) @ MIL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 85 pitches.
Props to Littell for grinding as hard as he could to leave the game with just one run on the board. He teased with splitters and sliders galore, helping the four-seamer and sinker return outs when he ultimately had to throw strikes. Phew. Welp, here’s to another year denying that Littell is worthy of your roster spot.
Mitch Keller (PIT) @ ATL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.
Wow Keller. It took you 89 pitches to get eleven outs, eh? That’s what happens when none of your pitches return a 60% strike rate and your best pitch is silenced for just 19% usage. Throw the sweeper more, dangit! What’s the sound? Do I hear the pitching coach of a team outside of Pittsburgh?! I’m from the future… One can only hope.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 100 pitches.
Wow. Despite throwing 25% changeups for just 48% strikes, Sandy barreled through seven innings and 100 pitches. Because yes, Miami, you definitely should be pushing your ace pitcher for seven more frames on the final day of the year in his first season back from TJS. But he’s not injured, Nick. Yeaaaaaah. I sure hope it stays that way. Sandy did improve over time this season as he leaned more into the changeup again, and if he leaves Miami, I’m down to have him around an SP #4. There’s still too much volatility in his command.
Jack Leiter (TEX) @ CLE (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 101 pitches.
Get ready for all the elevated ADPs of Jack Zippo after this one. This isn’t to say that Leiter didn’t pitch well here – his four-seamer was awesome to LHB, with 98 mph velocity, a super flat attack angle, and over seven feet of velocity in the upper half + changeups and sliders, and curveballs killing it underneath for a BSB – it’s to say that I still find it difficult to believe that Leiter can remove himself of the HIPSTER label. Sure, we saw him at the start of the year look more in rhythm before his IL stint, but the overall season gave us a ton of fluctuation without consistent results in his pitches. Low SwStr rates to both handedness, days of precision and days of chaos, etc. I’m down to give it a spin if he’s going close to pick #200, but I get a sense he’ll float into the Top 125 overall picks and there are simply better picks to make.
Casey Mize (DET) @ BOS (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 80 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! Mize, this was fantastic. The sinker was constantly inside to RHB with four-seamers away and up + sliders away to keep RHB at bay, while LHB had nothing good to hit all game – The heater was dotted up and the splitter + slider landed down-and-away constantly. And you sat 95 mph on the fastball! This was cool. I just wish I could bet on you doing this all the time next year. Maybe I just draft you near the end and hope for the best? 180+ IP with potential is what we like.
Shane Bieber (TOR) vs TBR (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
Bieber didn’t put away batters as well as we wanted him to, but we’ll take it. Yes, I’m definitely interested in 2026 with heaters sitting 92/93 mph and potential for more with a healthy off-season. The slider and curve are legit, too, and he has a proper kick-change in the mix. Yeaaaaaah, I’m in.
Kyle Hendricks (LAA) vs HOU (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 108 pitches.
This is so awesome. Enjoy the goldest of Gold Star we have. In what could be the final start of his career, Hendricks had the best version of his changeup with countless sinkers inside to the Astros’ right-handed lineup in classic Hendricks fashion. Eight strikeouts! Sixteen whiffs! Decades of memories. If this is the end of The Professor’s tenure, he will be missed. It’s so great having a soft-tossing right-hander display that velocity isn’t the only path to success.
Yu Darvish (SDP) vs ARI (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 79 pitches.
Ayyyy, he finally came through! I wonder if this will be his last start in the bigs. If he’s still around next year, sure, take a chance on him late given how much he underperformed this season. He’s going to seemingly have a normal off-season now if he plans to return, which could make him a strong six-inning play out of camp.
Joe Ryan (MIN) @ PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
And I was worried he wouldn’t come through. How could I? Interestingly enough, the four-seamer wasn’t as dominant as we’ve seen and still leaked low far more than it should have, but fortunately the sweeper, curve, and slider stepped up in two-strike counts and as surprise pitches. And look at that, 95.3 mph velocity! I hope you just pitched yourself to another team, Ryan. I personally believe your second half can be blamed by morale more than anything.
George Kirby (SEA) vs LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 85 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! A co-share of the Gallows Pole against the Dodgers in your final tune-up of the season. Why did I ever doubt you? The workload was in question and he has displayed a terrible floor. Okay, fair. I was incredibly impressed with Kirby’s attack to LHB, given he just took down a pair of RHB lineups – sinkers and four-seamers intertwined upstairs with sliders and curveballs down = LOVELY BSB FUN – and it’s making me excited for 2026. I think we finally see him take that next step with an approach that actually works, with a long leash and phenomenal home park.
Jason Alexander (HOU) @ LAA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 56 pitches.
Once again, Alexander almost made it through five, ran into some trouble, and got the hook. I’m wondering if the Astros will have Alexander in their plans for 2026 and I’d wager they explore other options. He needs more than just sinker/change – he’s not Hendricks.
Cade Cavalli (WSN) vs CHW (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 72 pitches.
I’m a bit surprised we only saw a few curveballs to RHB and unfortunately the sinker wasn’t located as well as normally see. Cavalli is an interesting one for next year with some clear upside in his stuff, but plenty of questions surrounding his consistency and few fastball whiffs (albeit, 5/26 on the four-seamer here is MUCH better!). Can’t say I’m a fan of him pitching for the Nationals, too.
Trevor McDonald (SFG) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 89 pitches.
ATTA BOY MCDONALD. I’m thrilled the Giants let him have another start, especially against Rockie Road and the mad man took the opportunity and seized a Golden Goal for himself. Unfortunately, a three-run blast on a horrific 0-0 curveball upstairs in the fifth ruined what could have been a legendary line, but that breaker was absolutely brilliant otherwise for 40% CSW and 17/55 whiffs with a whopping 62% usage. THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE. It really is a good curveball, though it’s similar to a gyro slider with a little more two-plane movement at times. Not as much depth of a normal curve or as horizontal of an elite sweeper. The sinker’s 2″ of drop is also pretty dang cool. Huh. I’m kinda interested for 2026. I need to see more on his attack to LHB, though (this was nearly 100% RHB). The changeup may not be enough there.
Mason Barnett (ATH) vs KCR (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 97 pitches.
A Philly from Barnett is better than expect, FWIW. His four-seamer is really a cutter, which is hard to hit, and I dig the movement spread of his sweeper, change, and curve off of it. But is there enough command to make it work at 94 mph? I don’t think so.
Quinn Priester (MIL) vs CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
We had some Careful, Icarus here with Priester allowing his first three batters to reach in the sixth, responsible for two ER on the books. The cutter and sinker finally lost the aid of Koufax as their questionable placement in the zone was properly punished in a game of getting Singled Out, which is a bit shocking coming from the hands of the Reds Carpet. None may continue to tread on me! Whoa, whoa, ease up there, Cincy. We respect you.
Noah Cameron (KCR) @ ATH (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.
Dangit. Sacré Verde got to him as he couldn’t wrangle any of his pitches, which all returned 50% strikes or worse (46% on 28 cutters = Oh BROTHER), save for the curveball, which found the zone, but wasn’t delicately placed. Thus concludes a ridiculously good looking season from Cameron and I’m down to do it again next year. Yes, regression will come of some kind, but he’s a southpaw with great command (when not in a Triple-A stadium) and a wide array of pitches, including an effective changeup, in a great home park, and a long leash. Sign me up as an SP #4/#5 in 12-teamers.
Kyle Harrison (BOS) vs DET (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 65 pitches.
Yeaaaah, just like his last start, I didn’t see anything new or exciting from Harrison to get me amped for next season. I sure hope he finds himself in the rotation and can become the best Harrison he can be, but I’m not counting on it.
Adrian Houser (TBR) @ TOR (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.
He was close to a Quality Start and didn’t quite get there. Welp, it was a fun year of “I can’t believe this is working”, Houser. Here’s to forgetting about you all over again.
Will Warren (NYY) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 81 pitches.
Blegh. Two HRs are responsible for all his ER, with a six inning solo shot kicking him out of the game. Yes, he had a chance for the PQS and TON had other plans. The entire second half showed us a Warren without the exciting skills of the spring – sweepers, curves, and changeups for constant whiffs – and I’m conflicted. On one hand, it’s difficult to tell you he’ll revert back to his old self after he showcased the same approach for three months. On the other hand, it should be a focus of his next season to get his skills back, and he’ll be fresh without fatigue early in the season. Not to mention, Warren was able to be decent despite his lackluster stuff of the second half. The final question is his job security. Schlittler, Rodón, Fried are locked. That leaves two spots for Gil and Warren, with the return of Schmidt and Cole at some point + whatever additions the Yankees make in the off-season. It sure seems like Warren has a clear spot for next year, I’m just not ruling out the chance something displaces him. It happened this year, after all.
Miles Mikolas (STL) @ CHC (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 79 pitches.
Yep, that sounds about right. He’s a free agent now and I wonder what comes of him. He’s dreaming of Atlanta tanking again so he can sign a deal mid-season. Sounds about right.
Brandon Sproat (NYM) @ MIA (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 61 pitches.
Oh jeez. I deserve this for making him an auto-start streamer, don’t I? Why could you just put him under McDonald? I DON’T KNOW. Speaking of confusion, why did Sproat get repulsed by his sweeper? Just four thrown in total?! I don’t get it. This was sinkers over the plate to RHB, a questionable attack of fastballs, changeups, and some breakers to LHB, and he still almost had it if not for a rough fifth frame that escalated into six runs as he sat on the bench. Sigh. He’s supposed to be a sinker/sweeper guy and I don’t think I’m going to be chasing him in 2026 with this as his backbone, given the Shag Rug n all still hanging around.
Joey Wentz (ATL) vs PIT (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 86 pitches.
Awwww this is sad to see. Wentz had a good slider and despite some changeup chaos, it was great with a trio of outs, 3/14 whiffs, and a 71% strike rate. The problem? A curveball that returned just 32% strikes and a four-seamer that didn’t land upstairs per usual, allowing four hits alone. There’s yer problem. I’m awfully curious what happens to him now. Atlanta has Sale, Strider, Schwellenbach (fractured elbow, all signs are healthy next year), Waldrep and Elder in their rotation for 2026, with Holmes, ReyLópez, and Smith-Shawver all in question to appear next year at some point. Wentz is on the team, but he may not have a job out of camp even if I believe Wentz is far more reliable than Elder for a full year. And any free agent acquisitions, too. It was a fun ride, Wentz. For the most part.
Slade Cecconi (CLE) vs TEX (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 75 pitches.
Womp womp. Alright, Slade Brigade, now comes the tough question. Are you in for 2026? We’re having a meeting to discuss. But what is your instinct? Not before the meeting. Come on you kno—NOT BEFORE THE MEETING. Whatever. Y’all know I’m out. I don’t buy into Cecconi being a Witcher – casting a spell on batters with a cauldron of pitches. Nothing stands out here at 94+ mph.
Yoendrys Gómez (CHW) @ WSN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 79 pitches.
I wish I liked Gómez’s approach to LHB more. He didn’t have a great breaker to pair with 93 mph sinkers and 94 mph four-seamers, leading to a start with some Careful, Icarus (two HRs in the sixth), but overall meh. I’m not in for 2026. He’s a waiver-wire arm to consider if things are breaking right, not someone to roster out of the gate.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ SDP (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 103 pitches.
It was Gallen’s final audition before free agency and his attack to LHB was gorgeous. Sadly, the curveball wasn’t dominating in the same way we’ve seen and a Tatis grand salami capped a nightmarish fourth. I’m so curious where Gallen lands in drafts next year and I’m awfully conflicted at the moment. I’d consider him above the Frizzle arms I usually have around #50 – he’s a heavy volume arm with legit upside and a long leash per start who figured out his changeup to LHB by the end of the year. Throw in a new team that hopefully will provide a good defense, home park, or high Win chance (please give us at least two of those?) and you have yourself the recipe for a great value arm in drafts.
Germán Márquez (COL) @ SFG (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 92 pitches.
Márquez 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. It’s been fun having you back, Márquez. Have a wonderful off-season.
Trevor Rogers (BAL) @ NYY (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 52 pitches.
This was a trio of two-run blasts from Judge and Stanton, all on mistake pitches over the plate (four-seamer, change, sinker) as the homers rained on the Trevor parade. Will managers look at this outing and push him down their draft boards? I wouldn’t. Sure, we all don’t believe Trevor is as good as he has been, but outside of a few mistakes getting more punished than usual from some of the game’s best HR hitters, Rogers pitched great. BSB of four-seamers up and changeups down to RHB + dotted sinkers and sliders away to LHB. I’m interested for 2026.
Game of the Day
Jacob Latz vs. Joey Cantillo – Two southpaws with 7+ feet of extension and great changeups? AWWW YEAH.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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