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 Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs CWS (W) – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 91 pitches.
This has felt like a lost season for Bailey Ober as he entered today with just 43.2 frames on the year, but it’s starts like tonight’s 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 91 pitches that make things feel not so lost after all.
How did Ober earn a Gallows Pole and a Win against the White Sox? Pretty simple, actually. Instead of dominating with his four-seamer up in the zone like we normally do, he elected to go 12/33 whiffs on his slider. See? EASY! Wait, doesn’t Ober have an average slider? You mean the 17% SwStr rate slider that is slightly above league average and held a horrible 13% clip last year? Yeah, that one. Yep. That’s the one.
I’m pretty amazed the slide piece worked this well out of the blue, though his heater did set up the pitch well with its normal high locations. It feels like a one-time deal, though Ober gets the Tigers after this one. It’s outings like these that make me so happy we have one more game before we have to scrutinize everything for six months. Surely if it’s a legit thing it’ll show up there too, right? Just start him there and hope it’s more slider dominance. And if it is, well, then it’s game Ober, man. Game Ober.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Zack Greinke (KC) @ DET (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 86 pitches.
Nothing quite like a proper Blame it on the Tigers. Detroit, the gift that keeps on giving. That’s what my grandfather would always say. Always? Always.
Hunter Greene (CIN) @ PIT (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
This went exactly as it should have. I have to note, though, Greene is doing far better locating his heaters recently than in the first half and I don’t want a date with the Pirates to make us overlook that. Get pumped to start him against the Cubs and if he’s cruising there, too, I may be more inclined to chase him for 2023. There may have been a tweak.
Blake Snell (SD) vs LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 96 pitches.
This was a tough call – the Dodgers n all – and you have to squeeze out a smile watching him be the best he could be against the top tier offense. Next start is…it doesn’t matter. How can you bench him after this? (It’s the White Sox, yeesh I wouldn’t leave you hanging.)
Jésus Tinoco (TEX) @ SEA (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 36 pitches.
As expected, prospect Tyson Miller relieved Tinoco for 60+ pitches and while he pitched 3.2 frames of shutout ball, he didn’t do a whole lot with his 91 mph heater and average breaker. No thanks.
Marcus Stroman (CHC) vs PHI (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
Standard affair for Stroman, who could do no such thing against the Pirates last week. He’s nothing if not consistent year-to-year with a 3.66 ERA after this across a little over 130 frames. He’s not elite, he’s just helpful.
Miles Mikolas (STL) @ MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 102 pitches.
Ohhhhh it’s been cooking for 500 hundred Miles and while there likely won’t be 500 more in 2023, I imagine he can go a few more in his final game of the year. Just one more, Mikolas. Then we can reminisce about that magical season as you fall back to Earth next year…
Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 62 pitches.
62 pitches. He could have gone all nine innings in this one and I hope they let him flirt with 80 against the Nationals next. He’s back.
Luis Garcia (HOU) vs ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 85 pitches.
With Lance McCullers Jr. scratched with an illness, Garcia stepped up and was the man we loved in the first half of the season – good cutters, a 94/95 mph, and none of those dang curveballs getting in the way. I’m not sure we’ll see Garcia start again before the end (I imagine the Astros will want to let McCullers get his bearings before the playoff push) and even if he did, the Phillies aren’t a team I’d love to start Garcia against. It’s safe to move on if you have Garcia rostered.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.
Is it super boring? Yes! Did it still work for your stream? Yes! Am I trying it one more time against the Cardinals? Very likely not! Can I end this blurb now? Yes!
Logan Webb (SF) vs COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 78 pitches.
I appreciate Webb doing what he’s supposed to do against a team like Rockie Road. The Sneks are next and I don’t see why he can’t end the year on a high note.
Jameson Taillon (NYY) @ TOR (W) – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
What a wonderful day at the park for Taillon. He did well spotting his slider down-and-gloveside again while 15/17 curveball strikes is just what he needed. No reason not to start him against the Rangers to close out the year.
Tyler Anderson (LAD) @ SD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 71 pitches.
Even with a far worse change than we’ve seen, Anderson plodded through six frames like nothin’, taking another step to that off-season paycheck. What a ridiculous run this has been and only one more start to go against Rockie Road. That’s like sticking a landing with gorilla glue on your feet. I don’t think that would actually hel–NAILED IT.
Robbie Ray (SEA) vs TEX (L) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 104 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. That’s a 3.58 ERA across 183.1 IP with a near 30% strikeout rate and 1.17 WHIP. Pretty much the projection at the start of the year, if you can believe it. I GOT ONE RIGHT!
Kyle Muller (ATL) @ WSH (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 86 pitches.
Muller has returned and sadly didn’t do enough for me to get too hyped moving forward. The heater sat 94 mph and got him through frames, while the curveball was middling at 2/23 whiffs + the slider returned just 5/11 strikes. I wanted more from this and wouldn’t hold at the chance he gets a second start. If he does, we’ll talk, but the roster spot is too valuable to hoard Muller.
Pablo López (MIA) @ NYM (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
Yep, that counts as redemption for Pablo in my book with a PQS, a Win, and a lovely WHIP. Now start him with bravado against the Brewers and let’s pack it up for an interesting off-season.
Germán Márquez (COL) @ SF (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
A PQS is considered a massive success for Márquez and I think that says a whole lot about this year. He gets the Dodgers to close (because of course he does) and no, it doesn’t matter if that’s in Coors or not.
James Kaprielian (OAK) @ LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.
He got Singled Out a bit as he did a decent job commanding his stuff and acted like your standard Toby. Do with that what you will – he’s obviously capable of a PQS (exhibit A this game) and it’s a big shrug from me against the Mariners.
Patrick Sandoval (LAA) vs OAK (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.
Blegh. That changeup is still gone and the slider didn’t do enough to take advantage of a date against the Athletics. Quick! Name three hitters on the Athletics! Exactly, you understand my disappointment now. I want to believe he can do better in his final start as he gets a chance at redemption in Oakland and I suggest sticking with it. He can do it. He should do it.
Joey Wentz (DET) vs KC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 70 pitches.
You had high hopes given Wentz’s recent outings and this was…not that. Don’t pick up Joey, even you can get him for Wentz on the dollar.
Corey Kluber (TB) @ CLE (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 91 pitches.
Ouch. After the disappointment against the Yankees, Kluber has treated you well, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be a glorious ride into the sunset. You can drop him now as he faces the Astros next, make sure to give him a proper salute when you do. I know he’s saved some of you, despite his ERA that now sits north of 4.30.
Adrian Houser (MIL) vs STL (L) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 74 pitches.
You’re still starting Houser? Why? Because I was desperate. No no no, I’m talking to Milwaukee. Oh.
Shane Bieber (CLE) vs TB (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
Aces gonna have a rough fourth inning but cruise otherwise. The slider earned more whiffs again, though the cutter and curve combined for just 3/34 on their own and all I can do is roll my eyes at Bieber. Why can’t you have more than one secondary on at a time? I’m not sure, they promised me they weren’t going to get suckered into a time share.
Lance Lynn (CWS) @ MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 104 pitches.
Blegh. It’s weird to see a guy record 17 whiffs and return just three strikeouts. Just one of those days. He closes out the year with the Padres and getting Singled Out here doesn’t change a thing.
Paolo Espino (WSH) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 72 pitches.
This may be the final start of the year for Paolo and let’s wish him goodbye for all he’s done for your leagues. But I didn’t start him, someone else did. Exactly.
Zach Davies (ARI) @ HOU (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches.
The changeup was fine, but it’s the Astros. At least it’s the Brewers next and there’s an outside chance Davies redeems himself in the final game of the season. Please don’t let your fantasy league come down to that, though.
Carlos Carrasco (NYM) vs MIA (L) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 67 pitches.
Yiiiikes. His slider was gone and the changeup wasn’t nearly good enough. You’re still gonna start him against the Nationals to end the season and we’re gonna hope he can fend off a 4.00 ERA as he sits at 3.95 after this one.
José Berríos (TOR) vs NYY (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 95 pitches.
He threw plenty of strikes (there’s your King Cole), just not the best ones as the Yankees were able to jump on some hittable curves and heaters…and some changeups off the plate. Poor Berríos, he’s sure to be better next year, but can he get back to a 3.75 mark? I think so? We’ll talk about it later. For now, I think I still flip the coin against the Orioles.
Michael Wacha (BOS) vs BAL (ND) – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 70 pitches.
The change had its moments but caught too much of the plate as the overall command was far worse than what we’ve seen from Wacha this year. Terrible timing and it raised his ERA from 2.70 to 3.06. So close. Now he gets the Jays and it sure puts a dent in our confidence there. He’ll be a Questionable Starter there.
Kyle Bradish (BAL) @ BOS (ND) – 2.1 IP, 7 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 85 pitches.
Womp womp. The game after pulling back his heaters tremendously, he went 56% fastballs as the breakers didn’t do enough. Sigh. This is why we can’t have nice things. Up to you if you want to call this the fluke or the games before it, I’m inclined to believe his massive heater dip last time out is the anomaly.
Game of the Day
Tyler Glasnow vs. Triston McKenzie – Glasnow is making his return from TJS and while he’ll be gone shortly, you’ll then get to enjoy Triston carve up the Rays.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
Have Questions? – Join my morning Twitch livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 9:00 am – 11:00 am ET Monday through Friday.
Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)