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.
Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) vs NYM (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.
You thought we were done?! Nope, we had one more gem from Spencer Schwellenbach to enjoy as we kick up our feet, taking in another beautiful fantasy baseball season. As for Mr. Crescendo, it was more of the same – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches, missing a Win in what an absolutely bonkers ballgame. His skills were what we’ve come to expect – effective sliders and cutters to RHB, curves and splitters to LHB, and four-seamers thriving around the zone to both.
I’ll be in on Schwellenbach next season, though he has the air of a pitcher who will be overdrafted next season. While I’m not suggesting he can’t solidify himself as a Top 20 SP next year, I think he’s more akin to a Seth Lugo type than a Tarik Skubal, creating a lower ceiling he needs to peak in order to return value. We’ll be chatting about him a ton this off-season, and at the end of the day, his four-seamer isn’t a whiff pitch, forcing me to temper expectations. I imagine he’ll settle into my rankings around the early 30s or so (maybe higher…?).
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Grant Holmes (ATL) vs NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 53 pitches.
Surprise! It’s The Real Estate Broker. Chris Sale was dealing with back spasms, leaving the fate of Atlanta’s season in the hands of Holmes, who showed us why he was a hot pickup when he regularly started. With Max Fried and Charlie Morton entering Free Agency, Holmes’ real estate agency may step in, cementing a mortgage in the rotation with legit sliders, a well-spotted heater, and a curve + cutter to help. He’s a sleeper for 2025 in my book, but not as someone I have to grab. His arsenal isn’t as deep as Schwellenbach’s and it’s wise to avoid the dreams of a similar trajectory.
Joey Lucchesi (NYM) @ ATL (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 111 pitches.
Oh snap, look who showed up! With the Mets securing their playoff spot in Game 1 of the doubleheader, they were able to save Luis Severino for Tuesday, sending Lucchesi out there in a Gold Star performance. Lovely cutters and sinkers with a mediocre curve and it worked. Props to him, I highly doubt we get many starts we like next year, if any at all.
Tylor Megill (NYM) @ ATL (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 100 pitches.
A Golden Goal with a 28% CSW isn’t quite fair and despite 8/37 whiffs on his slider + cutter (22% SwStr), a pair of those returned his sole runs of the game. For next year, I’m encouraged as a late round play, with room for growth in his four-seamer location, while the cutter and slider aren’t as consistent down as they need to be. I sure wish that 22% SwStr rate is what we see next year, though.
Game of the Day
Playoffs – Thanks for a wonderful season everyone! I’ll be here throughout the off-season with my Early Top 200 SP and streaming as I scrutinize every single pitcher across all 30 teams via Playback. I hope to see you there!
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 Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@bearydoesgfx on Twitter)